Drive Systems
 

Hey Everyone!
Tell me which type of drive system you think works best...

We won the delphi DTT technical award for our center bogey wheel. It really helps with the teetering at the top of the ramp, and still maintain manuverability.

Poll omission
 

Hi! You omitted the obvious "two wheel and two caster" option. No "skid" involved at all. As that's what we had, I cast one count to the poll under "other".

FYI, we *originally* had a cool "half-track drive" (four wheels & two casters, ALSO not on the poll) to split the difference between scrub forces and steer-ability, but we had to sacrifice the center two wheels on the altar of the "weight gods" at the last minute. Unfortunately that left us with a basic 2W2C drive on LONG chains, which was NOT as efficient as we would have liked, nor as reliable as if we'd designed it to be a 2W2C from the start.

NOTE: Although raw drivetrain power was king last year, IMHO this year the drivetrain question isn't NEARLY as important as speed to the top and traction on the ice. This year, the CG vulnerability of ANY machine while cresting the hilltop is a MAJOR equalizer to the drivetrain question! I've seen simple tall 2W2C machines with the FIRST supplied drivetrain and stock wheels sit on the ramp top and regularly flip over 14 inch high multimotor supertank "drivetrain only" machines as they crested the hill. ("Verrrrrry Interesting...")

- Keith

Actually that is still considered skid steering from what I know.

How could it be skid steering, if there is no skidding?

When you're through with that, tell me the sound of one hand clapping, and we'll talk. :)

I don't believe two casters and two wheels are considered skid steering because of a) the lack of skidding and b) the way the back CAN be swung around.

Never mind skid steering is just another name for differntial.:)