Tag Archives: Vibroseis

Seismic Vibrator

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Today’s vehicle is large, ponderous, and causes seismic tremors. Just like your Mom.

It’s a Sercel Nomad 65 ‘vibroseis truck’, designed to send shock-waves through the earth to map rock density. First pioneered by Conoco in the late ’50s, seismic vibrators today conduct around half of all land surveys, with many mounted on enormous purpose-built off-road platforms such as this Sercel.

Constructed by TLCB Master MOCer Nico71 for the Sercel Company (along with a further five copies), this incredible creation mimics the Nomad 65’s operation thanks to a suite of LEGO Powered-Up and Control+ electronics.

Two XL Motors drive the wheels via frictionless clutches, whilst an L Motor powers two linear actuators that swing the articulated central steering pivot. The vibration unit is lowered and raised via another motor and pair of actuators, whilst a fourth motor drives the vibration device itself.

A motorised winch, pendular suspension, and an inline 6-cylinder also feature, with all of the model’s motorised functions operable remotely via a smartphone courtesy of the Control+ app.

The finished model contains around 3,300 pieces, measures a huge 68cm long, and best of all you can build it for yourself as Nico has made building instructions available.

The Sercel’s complete image gallery can be found at Nico’s Brickshelf, plus you can watch the model in action via the video below. Take a look whilst we congratulate ourselves for successfully making it to the end of this post without a single sex toy analogy. Who knew a ‘Your Mom’ joke could be the high road!

YouTube Video

Giant Vibrator

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Get your minds out of the gutter. This is a Vibroseis Tracked Vehicle, designed to send shock waves through the ground to map rock density for the oil and gas industry, and it is – in effect – a giant vibrator.

This intriguing Technic recreation of one of the world’s more unusual vehicles comes from Master MOcer and multiple previous bloggee Nicco71, who has built it using only parts from the 42100 Technic Leibherr R 9800 excavator set.

The three repurposed XL Motors drive both sets of tracks plus the piston engine mounted in the rear section, whilst the set’s four L Motors power the winch, the articulated steering, the vibrator height, and the vibrating action.

There’s loads more to see of this remarkable creation at Nico71’s website by clicking here – where building instructions can also be found so you can use this giant vibrator for yourself at home – plus you can watch it in action in the only safe-for-work vibrator footage on the internet via the video below.

YouTube Video