pic: Concept 8wd Drivetrain

[David Guzman]

First of all very nice CAD work. I also like the way you did the base in the front and back for climbing. Here are a few things about 8wd based on our (1251's) 8 wheel drive for 2008.

Pros:

1. Very difficult to get pushed side ways since there is more contact points.
2. If done right, no rocking back and forth.
3. Easier to adjust weight distribution in the design phase.
4. Using shorter loops of chain require less tension adjustments.
5. If done with 6 motors, very hard to be pushed in low gear and maintains high maneuverability at high speeds. (in our case 16.5 fps)

Cons:

1. Heavier base
2. Harder to manufacture (more time consuming)
3. If done with 6 motors, battery dies much faster.

My two cents:

I would recommend the 8 wheel drive to anyone if the have they weight and time to pull it off. Also like Drew said if you have the 4 wheels in the middle lower; you might as well make a 6WD. The best way to do it is to make your front/back wheels a little higher, so you always have 6 wheels on the ground. Make sire your 6 contact points are farther apart in width and closer in length, this will improve turning.

Also you don't need your wheels to be so wide as others have said this does not increase the force of friction. The number of contact points is more important.