Treads, Tracks, Tank system Talk/Help

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by UndergroundVoid

I personally choose the tank system for its ability to have the power to climb over any planed or unplanned obstacles. Tracks provided a larger footprint to the floor allowing for greater traction that no other dive can compare with equivalent materials (such at same gear ratio and tread material). Tracks due to their larger footprint can be harder to push around and with the right gear setup push others that may be friend or foe.

Power depends on the motors and any mechanical losses in the drive system. All else being equal, wheels and tank treads should have no significant difference in pushing or climbing power. Tanks are better at dealing with unstable surfaces, but unless what you're driving on moves or shifts there probably isn't a good reason to use them.

A larger footprint does not have any theoretical advantage in traction. With the same coefficent of friction and the same weight, the amount of surface contact is not a factor.

With carpet deforming more under the concentrated weight of wheels, the actual traction of a FRC robot is somewhat complicated to predict in advance. Experiments seem to show that wider wheels are better in practice than narrower ones, but long tank treads don't give the benefit you attribute to them. On the contrary, the difficulty they create in turning is usually considered to be a good reason to avoid them.