Advantage to six wheel drive?

[Hawiian Cadder]

Originally Posted by TroyCDH

Terminology Help needed???

The discussion here live axle vs. dead axle yet both options still powered wheels? I am sure I am wrong but, to me the term dead axle, lead me to believe a non-powered wheel. A simple bolt (axle) through the frame rails, with a wheel. No sprocket, chain or belt.

For example the rear wheels on a front drive car are a dead axle.

So here in FIRST does live axle = wheel fixed to the axle (power to axle), axle rotates in frame bearings--and dead axle = axle fixed to frame, yet wheel is powered?

I guess if that is true, live or dead axles could be, or not be, powered?

Thanks Troy

In a live axle system, the wheel is attached to the axle, and whatever form of power transmission you have is attached to the axle.

In a dead axle system, the wheel is attached directly to whatever is powering it, and the axle does not necessarily have to spin with the wheel. Examples of both would be:

Live axle
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/36934

Dead axle (from our 2011 robot)


There is a sprocket bolted directly to the wheel on the other side, and the flat head shoulder bolt does not spin.