It has never been easier to build a complete Great Ball Contraption (GBC) loop yourself! With over 3100 parts, 700+ pages of building instructions and a footprint of 74 cm (29 inch) by 17 cm (18 inch) and a height of 53 cm (21 inch), this GBC is quite a build! It features multiple GBC modules which all work together in harmony to make a full loop so the ball flow will never end. This GBC is entirely built using only parts from the LEGO Bucket Wheel Excavator and can be referred to as alternate build of the LEGO 42055 Bucket Wheel Excavator set. When building, this GBC makes sure you master the GBC building techniques and tricks so that you eventually also can build your own GBCs. The whole machine is powered by one LEGO motor which comes with the LEGO 42055 set. This GBC is established in collaboration with Daniel Rynduch and his son who share the same passion what we have for building great ball contraptions.

Heavy machinery takes care

It was the year 1848 – The California Gold Rush …
In the good old days of mining, gold seekers spent days/weeks/months above their handmade machinery to look for that one blinking rock amongst the gravel: also known as gold! Nowadays there is much more advanced machinery available to do the job in a fraction of the time. Although the GBC 48 Placer Mining Line will not find you gold (sorry), it will for sure bring you a big wide smile on your face when you see it in action!

The GBC 48 Placer Mining Line features various mechanisms which are included in the 6 different modules.

The XL Zig Zag Stairs on the left side of the GBC is for sure an eye catcher. 18 steps move up and down in counter direction and move over the GBC Balls from left to the right side. After working their way up they eventually will drop of to the left and follow the path to the Big Ring Module. 2 arms, which are offset by 180 degree from each other, pick and throw each full rotation 1 GBC Ball into the catch tray. From there on a sweeper arm lifts the GBC balls to a slightly higher level to make sure there is a good enough slope for the GBC Balls to roll down the zig zag obstacle path. Multiple pins and curves make sure the GBC Balls have something to hit hard.

Next up are the 2 Hopper Modules which slowly move the GBC Balls from left to right and back again. With 9 position pins for the GBC Balls to rest on these modules are very elegant to look at. In between the Hopper Modules there is a dosing module to make sure that the GBC Balls will not enter the next module all at once. A very important module for a consistent running and non overflowing of the GBC 48 Placer Mining Line.

A handy container is located at the bottom of the GBC to store the required GBC Balls. The battery box can easily be accessed for battery replacement and control.
After the balls passed all the obstacles and module they are guided back to the input of the XL Zig Zag Stairs to go over the loop again and again and again.

Gear up your building skills

While building the GBC 48 Placer Mining Line you will learn basic engineering at its best like gearing, forces, sturdy constructions, automation, cool mechanism like the zig zag stairs mechanism and so much more!

The whole GBC is split into different parts/modules which are assembled together during the built. Ideal for working in groups as each builder can work on a module sub assembly and later click everything together. Because of this construction and flexibility it is also always possible to separate the modules again and make your own unique configuration.

It is possible to move the whole structure at once when you hold it right. Footprint of the GBC 48 Placer Mining Line: 74 cm (29 inch) by 17 cm (18 inch).

Fun Fact

After some thinking about ideas for our the next big entry into our GBC 42055 series we decided to collaborate with Daniel Rynduch and his son to bring you the GBC 48 Placer Mining Line. We took care to get all the details right in the model and building instructions. During the brainstorming, Mrs. Rynduch got annoyed by all the LEGO sets everywhere. This made us think about a GBC which is very compact and easy to pass around the house but still featuring many modules. In the end we are both very proud with the end result which we think many will love to built and see in front of their own eyes.

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