This was modelled after typical truck mounted cranes found on construction sites everywhere. The model is very similar in construction to CRANE '93 and it was built in the year, or so, after (circa 1994).

Total Boom Length: Approximately 8 feet (2.4 m) (includes jib)

Largest Load Lifted: 400 pounds (just kidding)

Motors: None! It was all hand powered

Other Notes:

- 12 wheels total

- Pennies used for counterweight

- V8 engine (obscured by body panels)

- Both sets of front wheels steered- the front set could turn more than the back set (although I don't remember the ratio)

- Both sets of rear wheels were driven (connected to V8)

These structures were a simple frame made from Technic beams (much like CRANE '93 ).

Again, these simple frame structures could have been greatly strengthened, but I guess I just wanted a "pretty model" and wasn't too concerned with performance. That's why I never loaded it to capacity.

The 12-wheeled truck base was the exciting part of this model. The crane part of it was pretty much the same old thing as CRANE '93 .

I used the large Technic solid rubber tires. Both rear axles were driven, or rather connected to the V8 (small Technic pistons) by a drive shaft. The front axles were steered, the rear set steered less than the front set. This allowed for the truck, when steered, to turn (rotate) on a common center. Although this is acheived by measuring the turning radius and calculating the appropriate ratios between the first and second set of steered wheels, I just geared down the second set so that they turned slightly less that the first.

The problem with the tires was carrying the weight. The actual crane (the blue cab and boom) was pretty heavy and tended to "squash" the truck, resulting in pushing the tires off their axles as the model drove forward (particularly on the carpet).

My mom de-wheeled the beast when she moved it to paint my room while I was away at college. She was so disappointed when I came home and said "what the hell happened to my crane?" instead of "nice paint job mom!". (I'm sorry mom, the paint job was rather nice.)

The outriggers weren't really "out"riggers. Each was made of two Technic pneumatic pistons that were connected to the truck frame and powered by a hand pump. They didn't move out, I guess I was too lazy to do this :( . However, they easily lifted the truck.

Okay, we're not moving forward. All the technics and concepts I developed for CRANE '93 were repeated here with little or no improvement.

Although, this model was much more aesthetically pleasing, especially because of the colors. The model was large, but I didn't go for the maximum size (i.e. use ALL my Technic beams).

I don't recall my reasoning for not powering the model with electric motors. Everything was operated with hand power. If you look closely at the gray grill on the side of the crane cab, there are small holes that a crank and axle could be inserted to turn the winches.

At any rate, this marked another feature MOC for me.