Original Year	1994
# of pieces	403
Categories	Other: Universal Sets Aircraft: Helicopters
Dimensions	various
Models	Hockey Game Handcar Rowboat Motorcycle Flatbed Truck Loader Helicopter

8062 Universal Building Set

Universal set 8062, released in 1994, was the last of the original 8000 series universal sets. No Technic set would ever be labeled or marketed in this way again, although various future sets did have multiple models. This set has full instructions for 7 models, the most of any universal set. It was available with a plastic carrying case which came with the set in some areas.

Many of the models in this set are quite unique. Three of the models contain mechanical figures built from Technic elements which interact with their respective models. Even the topics of these models are unusual and involve sports such as hockey or boating. While the motorcycle is unremarkable, the flatbed truck and loader are very large and functional. Finally, the tandem rotor helicopter is delightful.

There are lots of yellow beams here as well as 6 of the new small balloon tires and wheels. The parts, the variety of models, and the availability of the carrying case make this one of the most attractive universal sets for purchase.

I find the Helicopter the most interesting, and it is the model I chose to keep assembled for my display of this set.

1^st Model: Hockey Game
This seems to be a hockey player taking a slap shot at the goal. A lever coming out of his backside rotates the whole upper body and allows the stick to hit the puck, which is actually a 24 tooth crown gear. He's actually a pretty good shot!	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by Benjamin Wendl Click for an animation of the slap shot.
2^nd Model: Handcar
Here we have a handcar such as you might see used by someone maintaining railroad tracks. Movement of the front wheels turns a gear with an offset axle which oscillates a vertical link. This link is attached to the handle and causes it to pump up and down. Since the "driver" is also attached to the handle and is hinged at the waist, he follows along.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by Benjamin Wendl Click for an animation of the handcar in motion.
3^rd Model: Rowboat
Now here is something which never appeared in Technic before or since, a rowboat! The motion of this oarsman is excellent. The partially hidden rear wheels turn a gear with an offset steering arm which oscillates a link. This link is attached to the pelvis of the oarsman. His feet are pinned to the boat, as are his hips. As the link oscillates, his body position changes. The oars attached to his hands pass through oar locks pinned to the boat. The animation shows all of this motion very clearly.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by Benjamin Wendl Click for an animation of the boat in motion.
4^th Model: Motorcycle
This little motorcycle is clearly the weakest model of the set. It doesn't really do anything other than turn the handlebars. No animation necessary; use your imagination. It could be argued that this is really a part of the next model since it can be loaded in the back of the truck.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by Benjamin Wendl
5^th Model: Flatbed Truck
This truck is quite sizable and full featured with steering, an adjustable ramp, and a tilting cab. The flatbed in back fits the motorcycle quite nicely.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by Benjamin Wendl
Steering The front wheels can be steered using an overhead "hand of god" wheel. The wheel drives set of 14 tooth bevel gears attached to a pinion. The pinion drives the steering rack. The steering mechanism itself uses control arms and toothed links. The vertical axle actually disengages the bevel gears when the cab is tilted forward. It is unusual that this model has the steering arms facing forward instead of backward like is usually seen.	Click for an animation of the steering in motion.
Ramp The ramp is driven by a crank on the left side. The crank turns a worm gear which drives a 24 tooth crown. A universal joint moves the axle up by one brick height, then a pair of bevel gears end the gear train. The final axle uses a pair of pole reverser handles to actually lift the ramp. Because the mechanism uses a worm gear, it cannot be backdriven (because the axial friction is higher than the backdriving torque due to the screw pitch angle). This helps keep the ramp up when in transit.	Click for an animation of the ramp in motion.
Cab Tilt The cab tilts forward via a crank on the right side. The crank drives a pair of 14 tooth bevel gears which drive a worm. The worm drives a 24 tooth spur gear attached to a pair of liftarms which pivot the cab.	Click for an animation of the cab tilting.
6^th Model: Loader
This interesting model is something like a log loader, although the vertical claw indicates something more like the machines which cut down trees. In any case, it's pretty cool and has many features including 4 wheel steering, a lifting boom, and a working claw.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by Benjamin Wendl
Steering The front and rear wheels can be steered using an overhead "hand of god" control which drives an axle connected to a pair of 14 tooth bevel gears. Another set of bevel gears lead to a final axle which runs to both the forward and rear gear racks which drives them in opposite directions at the same ratio. The steering mechanism itself uses the control arms and toothed links as shown in the computer image.	Click for an animation of the steering in motion.
Boom Lift The boom luffs via a crank on the back. This crank turns a worm gear which drives a 24 tooth crown. A pair of liftarms connect to the boom. Because the mechanism uses a worm gear, it cannot be backdriven (because the axial friction is higher than the backdriving torque due to the screw pitch angle). This helps keep the boom up so it does not fall under its own weight. The boom utilizes a 4 bar linkage to keep the end claw parallel to the ground as the main boom angle changes.	Click for an animation of the boom lifting.
Grasping Claw The claw at the end of the boom opens and closes via a crank on the right side. The crank turns a worm gear which drives an 8 tooth pinion. Next come a pair of 24 tooth spurs. A pair of u-joints allow the next axle to pass up the length of the boom and still operate as the boom angle changes. At the end of the boom are a set of 8 tooth pinions which feed a set of 14 tooth bevel gears. Finally the two claws are linked together with a pair of 16 tooth spur gears which allows them to move in opposite directions. Despite all the gears in this complex system, only one of them alters the gear ratio and that is the worm set. Final ratio is therefore 8:1.	Click for an animation of the claw in motion.
7^th Model: Helicopter
This tandem rotor helicopter resembles a CH-47 Chinook. Though it is mostly empty space, it is one of my favorite Technic helicopters as it captures the look and feel very accurately.	Click to download the LDraw file of this model. Model by Benjamin Wendl
Loading Ramp The ramp is driven by a crank on the right side. The crank turns a worm gear which drives a 24 tooth crown. Next a pair of bevel gears end the gear train. The final axle uses a pair of pole reverser handles to actually lift the ramp. Because the mechanism uses a worm gear, it cannot be backdriven (because the axial friction is higher than the backdriving torque due to the screw pitch angle). This helps keep the ramp up when in transit.	Click for an animation of the ramp in motion.
Rotors The tandem rotors are driven by a crank on the left side. This crank drives a set of bevel gears. The first of these goes directly up to the forward rotor. Another set of 14 tooth bevel gears send the torque aft through yet a 3rd set and finally into the aft rotor. The rotors are counter rotating. Because they are geared together, they can be clocked to not hit each other. Additionally, the rotors are in different planes (aft is higher), so they could not come into contact anyway.	Click for an animation of the rotors in motion.

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