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SnowGroomer

February 3rd, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

Inspired by PistenBully snowgroomers. Features full independent suspension, dual longitudinal subtractor drive, pneumatic system with motorized valves and automated internal electric compressor, 3-section crane with infinite freedom of rotation, and lights.

Datasheet:

Completion date: 01/02/2009
Power: electric (Power Functions) / pneumatic (fed from internal electric compressor)
Dimensions:  length 84 studs / width 30 studs / height 39 studs (with crane in transport position)
Weight: 3.9 kg
Suspension: full independent with shock absorbers
Motors: 9 x PF Medium, 2 x PF XL
Pneumatics: two circuits with motorized valves, fed from internal electric compressor with a pressure switch and an airank

Somewhat spontanical construction, inspired by some PistenBully snowgroomers I’ve seen over winter. I wanted to model the entire functionality of such a snowgroomer, and this eventually turned out to require 11 motors. Here’s a full list of motors and the functions they control:

  1. PF XL – drive (left tread)
  2. PF XL – drive (right tread)
  3. PF Medium – steering
  4. PF Medium – pneumatic valve #1
  5. PF Medium – pneumatic valve #2
  6. PF Medium – crane rotation
  7. PF Medium – lower crane section
  8. PF Medium – upper crane section
  9. PF Medium – compressor
  10. PF Medium – flashing lights
  11. PF Medium – front blade tilt

As can be easily seen, we have 3 motors more than the number of channels available with the PF system. To deal with it, we need to control these 3 motors by some other means. Namely:

  1. both drive motors are controlled by a single channel
  2. the flashing lights motor is permanently on, so it needs no channel
  3. the compressor motor is controlled automatically by a pressure switch

The vehicle is suspended on 8 road wheels, each with an indepent suspension module with a shock absorber. There are shock absorbers of two different hardnesses used (first and last modules use harder shock absorbers than the middle ones). The front retracting wheels, and rear drive wheels are not suspended. The drivetrain consists of a dual longitudinal subtractor, where two PF XL motors drive the vehicle (one motor per one track), and the PF Medium motor controls steering by slowing down one PF XL and speeding up the other. It is, of course, possible to turn in place too.

A very unusual feature of the model is its pneumatic system. It consists of just two circuits, one with 3, the other one with 4 large pneumatic cylinders. Both circuits use regular pneumatic valves, which are motorized by PF Medium motors via safety clutches. The entire system is powered by a large electric compressor, that uses 4 small pumps divided into two units; when one unit is retracted, the other one is extended. It enables the compressor to operate more smoothly, reduces the vibrations it transfers to the hull, and makes the flow of air more fluent. The compressor is connected to an airtank, due to the high pressure needed straight off to operate the circuits quickly. The motor driving the compressor is controlled by a pressure switch, and thus the entire compressor module works in an entirely automated mode.  The construction of a pressure switch is strictly based on a concept created much earlier for the old pole reversers. Here I have just used the new PF switch instead. It is switched by two small pneumatic cylinders wrapped by a rubber band. Only the lower inlet of both cylinders is connected to the pneumatic system, therefore given a high enough pressure they overcome the rubber band and extend, turing the switch off. When the pressure drops, the rubber band forces the cylinders back, thus turning the switch on. I have used two cylinders due to a higher resistance of the PF switch compared to the one of the old pole reverser. The functioning of the pressure switch is shown in detail in both videos.

The front blade has one additional feature – it can be tilted left or right. The tilt is controlled by a PF Medium motor, via a safety clutch and a shaft that uses a number of universal joints to reach the blade’s head, where through a worm screw it rotates a vertical axle. Both front blade and rear smoothing plate are mounted on parallel levers, so they maintain their angle regardless of the elevation. I’ve tried to make the rear plate work more realistically by suspending it on two shock absorbers that press it against the ground. Thus the plate remains raised towards its front regardless of the ground’s shape. It does not, however, have the option to tilt left/right which is present in some snowgroomers.

Another important feature is the crane. It has the typical construction of small cranes (called HDS cranes in Polish technical terminology) used e.g. on cargo trucks and trailers: namely three sections, first vertical, two movable, with a hook at the tip. Two linear actuators are used here, both driven by PF Medium motors located inside the first, vertical section, without safety clutches. It provides precision and strength that pneumatics could not ensure. The crane’s first section is particularly complex and compact, due to space limitations imposed by the closely located battery box. One minor drawback of the crane’s design is the universal joint used to transfer drive from first to second section. It can’t operate when bent too much, so the third crane section becomes immobile whenever the second section is low. It is very inconvenient while connecting / disconnecting the load from the hook, but it provides load capacity far better than in a version with bevel gears instead of the universal joint (approx. 180 g compared to 50 g). On the video, the crane is carrying a 50-grams heavy truss module without even slightly bending under load. With loads heavier that 180 grams problems with the turntable’s stability begin to occur.

The infinite freedom of rotation is provided by a PF Medium motor located in the hull, and by the fact that there are only two wires going through the turntable. After a large number of revolutions these wires would eventually become entangled, but I assume that such situation is unlikely to happen during a regular utilization.

The last feature are the model’s lights, some of which are flashing. It is possible thanks to the solution used already earlier in my Tow Truck – a motor that drives the PF switch by an eccentric mechanism. The second video clearly shows details of this mechanism.

The model was well received, even though personally I did not consider it to be a project of a crucial importance. Perhaps the reason is that it was not my intention to try to use as much motors as possible, I simply wanted to model the functions of a particular vehicle. I liked, however, how well pneumatic system and linear actuators are compared in this single construction. The pros and cons of both these systems are clearly seen here – a pneumatically controlled crane would lack strength and precision, whereas LAs-controlled blade and plate would not adapt their elevation to the ground, not to mention how troublesome would it be to transfer the drive to LAs that would fold their wings. Thus, I have come to consider this model a good example of PF system’s potential not restricted by the 8 channels limit, as well as an excellent study of how pneumatics and linear actuators complete each other.

Photos:

01.jpg 02.jpg 03.jpg 04.jpg 05.jpg 06.jpg 07.jpg 08.jpg 09.jpg 10.jpg 11.jpg 12.jpg 13.jpg 14.jpg 15.jpg 16.jpg 17.jpg img_0687.jpg img_0692.jpg img_0715.jpg img_0719.jpg img_0725.jpg img_0726.jpg img_0730.jpg img_0732.jpg img_0739.jpg img_0744.jpg img_0749.jpg img_0752.jpg img_0754.jpg img_0756.jpg img_0758.jpg img_0761.jpg img_0765.jpg img_0782.jpg img_0788.jpg img_0792.jpg img_0793.jpg pistenbully.jpg

Videos:


Media reference:

Klocki, Particolarmente urgentissimo!, TechnicBRICKs, YFOLe (Polish only)

  1. Sariel
    August 30th, 2016 at 19:42 | #1

    @sohibil
    It’s possible, some of the largest WW2 half-tracks actually used a system that would slow one track when the steering wheels were turned.

  2. sohibil
    August 30th, 2016 at 18:41 | #2

    I have a question. Is it possible to use this transmission on half-threaded vehicle? How would you synchronize it with steering wheels?

    IMO it’s is the most effective transmission for threaded vehicles. I would just add some reduction before the tracks to protect the bevel gears inside differentials.

  3. Sariel
    December 28th, 2011 at 13:20 | #3

    @tom
    The length remains the same because the axle is installed between two parallel levers that move the blade up and down.

  4. tom
    December 28th, 2011 at 13:17 | #4

    @Sariel
    Okay, I did not mean the distance between blade and chassis. The path length of the driving axis for the worm gear is slightly changed, when the blade is elevated. Like here:
    http://www.proprofs.com/flashcards/upload/a3979281.gif
    If you look at the triangle, side b is the blade. Side a is the axis, if the blade is down and c is the axis, if the blade is up. And c is longer than a.
    In my construction I always got some tension because auf this change. How did you solve this?

  5. Sariel
    December 28th, 2011 at 01:05 | #5

    @tom
    No, it doesn’t change the distance.

  6. tom
    December 28th, 2011 at 00:57 | #6

    Hi, your site is great, I learned much about LEGO! I am trying to build a snowgroomer, too and I asked myself, how you did the tilting mechanism of the front blade. I can see the worm gear and the small bevel gear that moves the blade. But how did you connect the axis of the worm gear with the chassis? When moving up and down the blade, doesn’t that change the distance for the axes that drive the worm gear, even with this flexible axis connectors? (of which I do not know the name…)

    Thanks for your help!

  7. Mecho12345
    July 22nd, 2011 at 11:45 | #7

    thanks

  8. Sariel
    July 22nd, 2011 at 03:30 | #8

    @Mecho12345
    I think the battery box switch may be too hard to move with pneumatics.

  9. Mecho12345
    July 22nd, 2011 at 02:59 | #9

    can you please make a automatic pump like the one you used here except instead of using a pf switch using the switch on the normal battery box (8881) i tried and failed

  10. allu
    July 1st, 2011 at 17:39 | #10

    the lights flasher mechanism is a bit too fast but otherways it is perfect

  11. Kshomiv
    March 30th, 2011 at 02:36 | #11

    Who the heck grooms snow? Just joking!

    Very detailed model.

    5 Stars *****

  12. Marq
    January 11th, 2011 at 19:50 | #12

    Faktycznie. W sumie nie spojrzałem który jest od czego.

  13. Sariel
    January 10th, 2011 at 23:57 | #13

    @Marq
    Wszystko jest w opisie.

  14. Marq
    January 10th, 2011 at 23:11 | #14

    Rozgrzebuje temat ale mam tak w nawyku. w jednym odbiorniku mamy 4 kanały i na każdym po max 2 PF czyli razem 8 różnych pf a ty masz tu z 11 silniczków . Jak tym sterujesz?

  15. Sariel
    August 9th, 2010 at 00:22 | #15

    @Emil
    I’m using Casio Exilim EX-FS10. You can find its technical data in the Internet.

  16. August 8th, 2010 at 23:51 | #16

    oh thanks, can you answar my questions?

  17. Sariel
    August 8th, 2010 at 23:46 | #17

    @Emil
    Resolution Emil. It’s called resolution.

  18. August 8th, 2010 at 23:25 | #18

    Hi..

    Wich videocamera have you use to film the videos? And what is the solution on it?

    -Emil

  19. Sariel
    August 6th, 2010 at 23:32 | #19

    @Emil
    Windows Movie Maker for films, Photoshop for photos.

  20. Emil
    August 6th, 2010 at 23:27 | #20

    Hi

    Wich program do you use, for creating the films and pictures?

  21. Sariel
    April 1st, 2010 at 15:50 | #21

    @Emil
    New, a single one.

  22. April 1st, 2010 at 15:29 | #22

    Hi Sariel,

    Is it the new or is it the old universal joint you have used? And have you used one or two in the front of the machine?

    What does the number 4 motor do?

    -Emil

  23. Sariel
    March 31st, 2010 at 21:35 | #23

    @Emil
    Yes, that’s the part. Note that they are small, and you may need more than one. I usually use from two to four pumps like this.

  24. March 31st, 2010 at 21:30 | #24

    Hi Sariel,

    Thanks for your quick reply.

    Did you use part number x191c01 Pneumatic Pump (http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?itemID=3452&colorID=3) in your compressor – I don’t have this part, so I would like to make sure I understand what to buy in order to make a compressor. If you used another part, can you please give me the part number for the pump in the compressor.

    Thanks – you really build some great stuff!

    -Emil

  25. Sariel
    March 31st, 2010 at 21:12 | #25

    @Emil
    1. No. This brick only works with the older pneumatic system.
    2. It rotates the crane.
    3. Yes.

  26. Emil
    March 31st, 2010 at 20:10 | #26

    Hi, I have 3 quistion.

    1: Is it the brick nummer 4692 (http://www.bricklink.com/search.asp?q=4692) you have used as valve in your automatic compressor?

    2: What does the nummer 6 motor do?

    3: Is it the system that steer the front blade tilt similar to system which steers the pneumatic 1# and pneumatic 2#?

    Thanks for your help..

  27. Sariel
    March 29th, 2010 at 22:46 | #27

    @Emil
    A couple of weeks, I don’t remember exactly. I have published all pictures I had, there is nothing more.

  28. March 29th, 2010 at 22:42 | #28

    How long time have it tage to build it? And have you make meny drawings for it?

  29. Sariel
    March 29th, 2010 at 22:30 | #29

    @Emil
    Which mechanism? There are 11 motors in here, so it’s a bit hard to call it simple.

  30. March 29th, 2010 at 22:11 | #30

    Hi Sir, I have a question can you not make a simple instruction of the mechanism?

  31. Sariel
    February 14th, 2010 at 20:15 | #31

    @Jail
    Next to it.

  32. Jail
    February 14th, 2010 at 20:07 | #32

    I can see the battery box in front of the arm, but where did u put the other?

  33. Sariel
    February 6th, 2010 at 09:46 | #33

    @jail
    Yes.

  34. jail
    February 5th, 2010 at 22:15 | #34

    did you use an airtank?

  35. legomodifier
    January 31st, 2010 at 22:37 | #35

    for me it’s your best work yet.

  36. Sariel
    January 24th, 2010 at 07:41 | #36

    @jail
    No.

  37. jail
    January 23rd, 2010 at 23:00 | #37

    thats nice
    did you test it in snow for real?

  38. Sariel
  39. Lee
    January 20th, 2010 at 16:32 | #39

    Where did you get the SnowGroomer-chains on Bricklink, I couldn’t find them.

  40. timi
    January 16th, 2010 at 17:42 | #40

    very good.

  41. Brian
    December 6th, 2009 at 01:05 | #41

    Sir, your engineerings are a testement of the true epicness of lego.
    I salute you!

  42. joalegofreak
    October 22nd, 2009 at 16:28 | #42

    heey good work,
    but how does the presure switch works

  43. kama12811
    October 7th, 2009 at 14:22 | #43

    to jest niesamowite!

  44. RjbsNXT
    September 24th, 2009 at 22:29 | #44

    Inspiring design 🙂 looking forward to christmas when i get a bunch of small pumps and pf motors to use with my nxt sets 😀

  45. Sariel
    September 15th, 2009 at 09:36 | #45

    @legofan
    Oh, I see. This is a bit stronger solution. There are more gears to handle the torque, so the strain on a single gear is smaller. You can see a scheme on how to put 4 gears inside here: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=2910758

  46. legofan
    September 15th, 2009 at 09:29 | #46

    In the “11.jpg” i can see that you used 4 small gears in the upper differential rather than 3.That’s what I’m asking, why you used 4 small gears

  47. Sariel
    September 15th, 2009 at 07:15 | #47

    @legofan
    What you mean? It’s a stardard solution, Lego sets use it too.

  48. legofan
    September 15th, 2009 at 06:24 | #48

    Why and how did you put four 12 tooth bevel gear in the differential gear?

  49. Sariel
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:37 | #49

    @legokid
    You can see it exactly on the photos, e.g. the 32nd one.

  50. legokid
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:33 | #50

    I’m just a kid under 18

  51. legokid
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:30 | #51

    I dont know wich one that is

  52. Sariel
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:19 | #52

    @legokid
    The bevel gears.

  53. legokid
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:04 | #53

    whit what kind of gears

  54. legokid
    August 23rd, 2009 at 18:02 | #54

    hey how do you get the bottom motor to spin the linear actuator

  55. Sariel
    August 11th, 2009 at 08:16 | #55

    @Dave
    I’d say $10.000? Or, in other words, forget it.

  56. Dave
    August 11th, 2009 at 00:35 | #56

    nice. How much did it cost you. I want one and want to buy it of you. How much???

  57. Sariel
    July 20th, 2009 at 09:49 | #57

    @blork
    The steering motor is protected by a high gear reduction. Yes, it would be a good idea to link the drive motors before the subtractor, but I didn’t do that because of the internal space limitations, and on assumption that their speeds won’t differ significantly.

  58. blork
    July 20th, 2009 at 07:37 | #58

    sorry to make so many comments, but what i mean is, if the 2 drive motors aren’t linked and there off in terms of speed, then when they both drive it will go crooked assuming the steering motor isn’t moving. BUT, if you link both the motors before the subtractor, it still divides the load in half but if one goes slightly faster than the other, the mechanical link will synchronize them.

  59. blork
    July 20th, 2009 at 07:32 | #59

    @Sariel
    but what if the motors aren’t synchronized? if the steering motor isn’t turning and both drive motors are, won’t it go crooked if they aren’t linked??

  60. Sariel
    July 12th, 2009 at 12:11 | #60

    @blork
    You miss the point. If the subtractor is driven by two non-synchronized motors, each motor handles only half of the total load – and that’s the advantage of this solution. This is not the same as having two motors simply connected to two wheels, because here you still have a more sophisticated steering, with ability to turn in an arch.

  61. blork
    July 12th, 2009 at 04:34 | #61

    i have a question, whats the point of having a subtractor driven by 2 motors that aren’t connected except through the steering??? isn’t the whole point of having a subtractor to improve steering and driving by making the speed equal to both wheels?? couldn’t you just have 2 drive motors for each wheel and it would be the same, or better have the drive motors linked mechanically through a chain or gears to ensure that both wheels drive at the same speed. thanks, and at any rate its still a very impressive model.

  62. Sariel
    July 1st, 2009 at 10:15 | #62

    @legofan
    I got them mostly from sets, new and used alike. Yes, most of them is original.

  63. legofan
    July 1st, 2009 at 09:46 | #63

    Where did you buy those pneumatic hoses?
    Are they as the real ones?

  64. max-o-l (aka Xenoforce)
    May 20th, 2009 at 15:32 | #64

    that looks soo awesome!
    i am trying to figure out what all the needed parts are 😛
    i guess it will be a veeeeery long list xD

  65. M4X1994
    March 10th, 2009 at 19:39 | #65

    I love it! It is such a Genius creation! Kudos to you!

  66. Sariel
    February 20th, 2009 at 18:50 | #66

    Je suis capable de comprendre que vous ditez, mais il y a beaucoup d’individous ici que ne compredre ce pas. Demandez en anglais, s’il vous plait.

  67. cdric
    February 20th, 2009 at 18:29 | #67

    scuse troll mais je crois pas qu’il parle francais tu devrait lui demander en anglais

  68. troll
    February 19th, 2009 at 19:41 | #68

    j’allais oublier, c’est un honneur pour les dameurs de voir une telle machine en lego.

  69. troll
    February 19th, 2009 at 19:14 | #69

    heu, mais sa veut dire que celui la on peut pas se le procurer, car il m’interésse beaucoup. t’ y a passé combien de temps dessus et financiérement environ combien?
    merci d’avance.

  70. Sariel
    February 13th, 2009 at 13:29 | #70

    @adEz
    The answer is in the FAQ section.

  71. adEz
    February 13th, 2009 at 13:27 | #71

    hey you are the best lego builder ever…can you tell me on what website do you buy a specific parts. thanks

  72. Sariel
    February 8th, 2009 at 18:10 | #72

    @legotoppers
    I bought them, basically.

  73. legotoppers
    February 8th, 2009 at 17:25 | #73

    wow you are pro. lego builder nice made
    and how you got all the motors?

  74. Sariel
    February 6th, 2009 at 19:27 | #74

    @aaron
    I haven’t seen their snowgroomer until I finished mine, and I guess it worked both ways.

  75. aaron
    February 6th, 2009 at 19:26 | #75

    did u get snow groomer idea from lego or did lego get snow groomer idea from you for the new 2h 2009 lego technic set ? =)

  76. legobuilder
    February 4th, 2009 at 18:51 | #76

    good work!

  77. cdric
    February 3rd, 2009 at 18:31 | #77

    you are a very good lego builder

  1. October 22nd, 2010 at 08:44 | #1