Tank Treads

[BillyGoats]

Originally Posted by Cory

They may have worked fine for you, but they really aren't built for this application. They're built for material handling, in factories, etc. We often put tons of torque through them, and much more wear than they will ever see in a factory.

I know for a fact that teams like 226 and 61 have torn multiple treads in half until they got some super reinforced version of the belts for like $300 if my memory serves me correctly.

I have heard from multiple teams that they have had to replace their treads at least every competition, especially last year with the cheese grater ramp, which adds up to a lot of money.

Personally, I think the decision to use tracks or not comes down to money, more than anything else.

Yeah 300 is kinda low closer to 400 i belive for a set. We have still torn those belts but the center stays connected so that its alright that the out side tore. The bad part is we would rather break a track then burn out a moter. Throught just testing automode last year and kept hitting the side the moters where really hot. We did not run with them becuase if we had to fight for the top they would not slip at all and our moters would burn out.

We just use different traction. There are four kinds. Slicks, Red Slicks (Not thick red on the track), Thick Red (Thick red on the track) and Green (The most traction you will ever need). Last year was good for the thick read. Did not mess them up. Once we tore one it sliced the red slick to peaces. This year the thick red was awsome! Great on the surface to climb!

My adivise. Dont go with the Green unless you have the solid center. Go with either the Slick Red ones or the Thick Red ones. Having a pair of just slicks is a good a idea for emergencrys.

Check out our web site at. www.valleytech.k12.ma.us/robotics