[Ben.V.293]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

We've been using tank treads for about 5 years now, and we plan to continue using them as long as possible. There is no competetion when it comes to traction.

As stated above, many teams have trouble turning with tank treads. This is because instead of 1" of non sticky rubber material per wheel touching the ground, there is 30+ inches of very sticky rubber touching the ground on each tread. We have used a system of idlers with our treads to overcome this. If you look at the picture below from our 2003 bot, you can see how in the middle of the tread there is an idler which lowers the tread about 1/2" from where the hubs would normally touch the ground. If you balance the weight on your bot the right way, you can cut down the surface area of the tread on the carpet from 30" to 1 1/2"



There are many pros to using a system like this. Because of the idlers, the current required to turn is cut down by a large amount. Also, you can turn "on a dime". But my favorite part of the whole system is when you are trying to pull or push something.. it forces the bot to rotate backwards on the idler, and you can put the entire power of your transmission into the pushing/pulling match. (This is much like putting sand bags in the bed of a pickup truck to increase traction.)

If you are interested in this, I am willing and glad to post pictures and diagrams of this system that has worked so well for us.

I love to see some more pictures of those treads. They look really impresive. What width belts do you use? are they from Brecoflex?

Thanks,
Ben Van Selous