Phil tank [TANKS]

["Chrysanthos Kanellopoulos" <xchrysk-at-otenet.gr>]

No worries Phil. She'll roll even with the drive sprockets in the front. See in my videos how she climbs obstacles with reverse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC_93Ovjkuw

 

http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s30/ChrysKane/Ha-Go%20videos/?action=view&current=concreteramp30degrees.flv

 

Just don't let them tracks sagging too much when you tune the tracks. A vertical obstacle might be a little harder on the tracks, but that's about it.

I'd say ommitt the return rollers for a start. The weight of the sagging track will help to tension from the top and wrap better around the drive sprocket. Meaning, do not feed the front sprocket with a loose track or the drive wheel will roll, the pins will jump over the "teeth" and teh tracks will stay still. DOn't give them ANY chance and they'll know who teh boss is! Send a picture when you can. What was your latest?

 

Chrys (dreaming BT-7s hoping, jumping  ...) Kane

 

PS Raining heavily as we speak. Time for a weekend of messy stunts in water and mud ponds (not me, my tank)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The tank is moving ahead. I took all your advice about putting the drive sprocket at the back, however when I measured everything there was not room to fit everything in at the back. The back of the Hetzer slopes inwards and the idler is right at the end, and as the wheels are very close together there is no room to move things round.

I am therefore building a "cage" type front sprocket, like Chrys's, and if I make sure the track is reasonably taut (the original had a return roller) hopefully it will all work. Alternatively, I can drive everywhere backwards!

I have also just ordered the axles and drive shafts (stainless steel- that was what I could find on e-bay (or anywhere else)) and bearings from Technobots. I have also primed the lower hull and wheels- much easier when the wheels are off!

Thanks to whoever came up with the "poor man's lathe" system of using a drill on a stand as a lathe- it worked a treat and I now have acceptably round drive shaft pulleys.

I'll post some photos when I get a moment.

Phil "Getting on with it" Palmer