Drive Train Prototype

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by compwiztobe

But the robots motors will have to be back driven for this to happen... The tread rub in tank turning is sideways, but there is still traction inline with the wheels, and this doesn't go away when transverse tread rub is reduced. Rotation of the robot will still require that the wheels turn, and therefore the motors are back driven, or the treads slip. If you are powering the motors, like during a pushing match, you should be fine if the traction is enough.

I bolded the key point in your statement, "or the treads slip." The treads can slip sideways when an external force is applied. Draw up some free body diagrams and think about the problem some more, and it become quite clear why a long wheel base can resist more torque before having the wheels slip.