STEP BY STEP
1
Oxford Diecast’s 1:76 scale JCB backhoe loader is a lovely model and features a bulldozer and rear bucket attachment, both of which are poseable.
2
Various yard building kits, fencing, figures and other scenery items are readily available to adorn a typical trackside maintenance yard.
3
The yard base was cut to the required size from 2mm (0.080in) thick styrene sheet. The slot along which the JCB mounting screw is to travel can be marked and cut. The motor support bracket was also cut from 2mm thick styrene.
4
Liquid polystyrene adhesive was used to ‘weld’ the styrene components together. Check that the motor mounting bracket parts are standing squarely in relation to the base with a set square, then leave overnight to harden.
5
The two arms of the crank were cut from 2mm styrene sheet, with a small bolt, washer and two nuts forming the fulcrum. A screw collar is fixed to one end with cyano, which is then attached to the output from the motor.
6
The Hobby’s geared motor unit (see panel) is assembled and bolted to the styrene mounting bracket. The sliding link arm is attached to the output shaft with a grub screw and positioned beneath the narrow slot in the base.
7
This view of the base shows the linkage arm in the extended position. The protruding gear shaft can be cut short, if desired, or used to power an additional working feature.
8
A sheet of coarse aluminium oxide sandpaper was glued to the yard base to replicate a gravel surface. The rough texture will also provide grip for the JCB’S tyres and ensure that they rotate as the vehicle moves.
9
Cut a slot in the sandpaper to match that on the motor base. Remove the small screw from the front end of the JCB chassis with a miniature cross-head screwdriver. Keep the screw safe in case you decide to swap the vehicle in future.
10
A 22mm long bolt, of the same diameter as the chassis fastening screw, was sourced. This will be used to attach the JCB to the sliding link arm.
11
Part of the attachment bolt’s thread was carefully filed away to ensure that it moves smoothly within the slot cut in the yard base. Be sure not to damage the area of thread needed to secure it to the JCB chassis.
12
Secure the JCB to the link arm, then hook up the motor to the battery and check that everything works. When you’re happy that things work, the office building, boundary fence and other scenic items can be installed.
13
In order to access the interior of the JCB cab, the chassis has to be removed and the cab roof cut out. A plastic Bachmann Scenecraft figure required extensive modification before he’d fit within the tight confines of the cab.
14
With the scenic work complete, the reassembled JCB can be remounted to the sliding link arm and put to work.