Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

Our team is wondering why these wheels are not allowed. We used them last year and had no complaints from other teams and/or competition sites of problems with them. Is there another wheel that will work the same.

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

What makes you think these wheels are not allowed? AFAIK, many teams use them.

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

Although we won't be able to say for sure until next year's rules are released regarding their legality next year, I'm not aware of any reason they would not be allowed.

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

I think the OP is referring to the FTC rules. I think they had issues with them messing up the tiles so they banned them.

I'm not positive, but I believe the OP is talking about the FTC rules banning high traction wheels for damaging the field

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

Yes, FTC is not allowed to use these wheels for the new season. Reason being, they destory the foam padding if used incorrectly...

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

Thank you for some answers. We have been using these wheels to demonstrate our robot to local students and our field tile is old and see no marks or holes.

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

You don't happen to get into any pushing matches on your field tile, do you? It's not uncommon for robots that don't damage the field by just driving around to utterly shred the field when their wheels slip in a pushing match. (L.A. saw an FRC robot go through the carpet... in the FIRST MATCH... when said robot hit the wall in automode at top speed and kept trying to go to queuing.)

If you have block of something solid, put that next to your field tile, stand on it, and try to push it with your robot. I'll be surprised if you don't see some damage after a couple minutes.

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

After seeing some of the fields after tournaments past year, I'm glad they made the change. Tournament runners shouldn't have to worry about replacing tiles and teams shouldn't have to worry about the field being destroyed. There are plenty of other options our there, guys. Try Coulson wheels if yoy're looking for good traction and feeling adventurous.

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

I've never competed in FTC, or read the rules. But if you're looking for a 4" wheel with reasonable traction, you might want to look into the AndyMark stealth wheel. Hopefully not all AndyMark wheels are illegal! :)

Re: Not allowed Andy mark high traction wheels
 

I would definitely look into the stealth wheels. I've heard that they were created with FTC in mind, so they don't rip up the foam mats (smooth, colson-esque tread, etc).