Thread: Has 6 wheeled designs surpased tank treads
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Unread 03-12-2004, 11:30
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Re: Has 6 wheeled designs surpased tank treads
Adam,

Great link! I almost forgot about that thread (2001-too long ago). Again, the surface area does not change your available tractive force UNTIL THE CARPET SAYS UNCLE. In all cases that I have seen practical uses for tank treads, there has been one common denominator: A not so hard surface that needs the load spread over more area so the surface doesn't fail (your high heel snow shoe example is perfect). In most cases (except for 2002) the load need not be dissipated over such a large surface area to save the carpet.

The blanket statement that tank treads get more traction due to the surface area is just not correct. I ask again to show me the math and get as complicated as you like. The bottom line is the math assumes a stable surface and when the surface becomes unstable (melting carpet), then all bets are off (surface area must be used to dissipate the load).

-Paul