This is 3476's first year using belts on a drivetrain. We are a 6wd "wide" configuration using 4" AM performance wheels (w/ nitrile tread) and 3/32 center drop. We are using VexPro HTD 15mm belts, Ball Shifters with 4 CIMs (plus some runtime with 2 550s) and 24tooth VexPro pulleys on all axles. Geared for 4/22 fps. I do admit our shafts are a bit overbuilt using 5/8 7075 aluminum stock through round bearings (hex bearings...don't get me started on those). Machined to exact C-C + 0.003.
We have driven this thing through some very tough defense at SDR and many nights of drive practice, and have run it at very high speeds with very quick stops. Not a single ratchet or failure (with everything together, that is
), and it would be far from the truth to say that we have perfect manufacturing capabilities.
We have still quite a few official and unofficial events until the season is over so we won't draw any conclusions yet...but with the way we drive and the nature of this year's game I am pretty happy with our decisions so far.
Good luck!