pic: CV Robotics WCD 6wd Drivebase Prototype

Originally Posted by Dunngeon

It simplifies our drivebase, with belts we would need tensioning blocks and would also run the small risk of snapping a belt. We ran our drivebase without chain tensioners last year, and that's carrying over because it worked so well (71 matches, still within tolerance).

If you are not tensioning your chain, then why do you have bearing blocks instead of just placing the bearings in the tube? If you have milled slots in your tubing and bearing blocks like you mentioned, it is a simple addition to have cam tensioners added in that could easily stop a potential problem from happening. They're no work at all for a season-long reassurance.