LAST Wheel question

[sdcantrell56]

What pneumatic wheels did you have? They were the keyed hub correct?

[Ianworld]

I'm going to just put this out there really quickly. Don't use the beadlocks ever on a robot. FIRST once gave them out with the kit and they just ruined a lot of teams that were forced to use one of the worst wheels(for FIRST Robots) you can find. They're big but have a small traction area, if you grind them down you'll find that they aren't tough at all and will wear away any tread you do cut into them.

The pneumatics on the other hand are great! The big 8" were used on the strongest robot my team has ever built back in 2002 and still haven't been able to top. We are trying to best it this year with tank treads but who knows, they're pretty great.

[sdcantrell56]

How did you power the 8" pneumatics? You can't get them keyed so I am a little curious.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Ianworld

I'm going to just put this out there really quickly. Don't use the beadlocks ever on a robot. FIRST once gave them out with the kit and they just ruined a lot of teams that were forced to use one of the worst wheels(for FIRST Robots) you can find. They're big but have a small traction area, if you grind them down you'll find that they aren't tough at all and will wear away any tread you do cut into them.

Beadloks make great flywheels for propelling soccer balls into goals....

[TimCraig]

Originally Posted by sdcantrell56

I think I am going to try lawnmower wheels just based off of cost. Our team has a really small budget so if they work it will save us a lot of money. Are there any specific things to look for in lawnmower wheels.

A couple of other things I remembered (you can't expect too much out of me before lunch ) Try to make the holes for mounting the sprocket as close to the rim of the wheel as practical as this will reduce the bearing load on the plastic disk of the wheel. Also, to spread the bolt load be sure to put flat washers on both sides of the wheel when running the bolt through the wheel disk to go through the spacer to the sprocket.

[sdcantrell56]

So i decided that lawnmower wheels didn't look sturdy enough. All of the ones I could find had a ton of play in the bearings whiich would probably through off the chain and sprockets.