[Nate Bloom]

Originally Posted by magnets

6 CIM drive trains are a great feature, but I don't know if they are worth it unless you have a power takeoff. With the power takeoff, you get 50% more power than with 4 CIMs, and you run it single speed and still have decent traction and decent pushing force.

However, if there is no power takeoff, it's easy to justify. With 2 CIMs, you can have a traction limited slow gear easily, so you won't have better pushing power. The only real benefit would be acceleration, but even then, the added weight of two motors is really, really hard to justify just for improved acceleration.

I think the main reason the GDC went to 6 CIMs this year was because of climbing. They wanted teams to have 4 CIM drives and 2 CIM + 2 miniCIM climbers or 6 CIM drive with PTO. I predict that if next year we don't see a game that involves pulling something heavy, lifting something heavy, or something that requires a ton of power, we'll be back to 4 CIMs.

What's the math for a traction limited drive? Accounting for the fact that the CIMs are run through motor controllers with a 40A max (probably closer to 20-30A in competition), I have trouble imagining a traction limited drive with blue nitrile wheels.