Highest traction wheels

[George C]

We used 6" x 1.5" Colsons this year in a 6 wheel system with about 1/4" centre drop (which was too much). The drive team loves them. It's pretty difficult to tell if they're better with or without tread but after reading other threads on Colsons, we cut a diamond pattern tread in them using a dividing head on a horizontal mill. A thin slit saw set to cut about 0.100" deep slot on 15 degree intervals and about 15 degrees of parallel seemed about right. After 3 regionals and championships they show little wear. We did experience some lateral shifting of the wheel on the hubs we used but only on one or two of the outer wheels. Next year, we'll cut a coarse thread in the hub before pushing them in and maybe use a bit of PL Premium to help.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by George C

We used 6" x 1.5" Colsons this year in a 6 wheel system with about 1/4" centre drop (which was too much). The drive team loves them. It's pretty difficult to tell if they're better with or without tread but after reading other threads on Colsons, we cut a diamond pattern tread in them using a dividing head on a horizontal mill. A thin slit saw set to cut about 0.100" deep slot on 15 degree intervals and about 15 degrees of parallel seemed about right. After 3 regionals and championships they show little wear. We did experience some lateral shifting of the wheel on the hubs we used but only on one or two of the outer wheels. Next year, we'll cut a coarse thread in the hub before pushing them in and maybe use a bit of PL Premium to help.

Nice. Our traction wheels were 2" diameter x 3/4" width Colsons with no tread pattern of any kind cut in them -- we just broached the center hole to a hex and put them on the shaft with appropriate spacers, and they worked like a charm (except for not having quite the traction we wanted.)