Well tonite we are coating the wheels with rubber tool handle coating, stuff we bought from Lowe's. We are thinking on running all 6 wheels on this stuff, or running the middle 2 with SBR Roughtop and the rest on this tool coating. We tested the tool coating by putting it on aluminum flatbar and rubbing it on diamond plate and that stuff doesn't want to peel off, plus it should gives us the traction we want.
With our 6 wheel drive, and 2 speed transmission, we are trying to be able to be a pushbot and help other teams on the ramp. So we want good traction on the diamond plate and carpet, while still being able to turn well(just like everybody else).
On the weight issue, sure they may be relatively heavy, but to us they are fine. We are thinking low CG to be a push bot. Our steel frame, 2 speed transmission, and wheels may take up alot of weight, but our ball interaction system, should be relatively light ~20lbs. Now we just have to leave room in our weight budget for the rotating light and battery.
Now my next question to everybody is, the people who took the strategy of lowering the middle two wheels, how much should we lower them. Is the added size of adding roughtop SBR to the center wheels not enough or too much. By adding spacers under the pillow blocks of our axles we have the ability to get any kind of height differently we want.
Thanks again for all the suggestions,