Photographs

Walking Dragline

My dragline model was begun by following the instructions from the Meccano Magazine. Then a friend of mine lent me a book about earthmoving, and I studied the section on draglines. From this I learned that the feet should be positioned just a little behind the center of gravity, and the center of gravity would normally be located approximately in the the center of the tub. The design that I was following had the gearbox/winch assembly ahead of the walking shaft, causing the feet to be located too far to the rear.

I then learned that a dragline was the subject of one of the no.9 outfit Special Model Leaflets. This had the gearbox/winch assembly behind the walking shaft center-line, and I used that part of its design to modify my model.

Instead of using eccentrics to move the feet, I have used cranks. I have styled the grass-hopper-like legs on those used by the Marion Power Shovel Company on some of its draglines. I have made the boom longer than in the original design.

The 12V DC motor that I am using was salvaged out of some discarded piece of equipment. It has a shaft diameter of about 3mm, and came with a belt pulley press-fitted. The power from the motor is transfered to the gear-box using a rubber drive-band at a reduction ratio of about 6 to 1. This easily transfers enough power to the model. However, if a mechanical fault should cause an overload situation, the belt will slip and protect the motor.

These walking draglines only walk in reverse. At first they tilt themselves forward, then they drag themselves rearward, and then they tilt back to being level. Finally they lift the feet clear of the ground, allowing all of the weight to rest on the tub once more.

Scooter

Recently I purchased a second-hand Meccano outfit. The leaflet that came with it described the construction of a cute little scooter.

The model was intended to instruct the new Meccano modeller in the basic assembly techniques. I am not new to the Meccano hobby, but I thought the model was attractive - so I built it.

After making the scooter model exactly as described in the leaflet, I decided to build an improved version. Principally, my plan was to change only those things that were necessary to add working steering, and a platform for the rider to stand on.

This is the result of my efforts.