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Click Photo For Enlargement (133 Kb)
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The Panther shows its obstacle climbing abilities during its initial field
trials at Tri-Pact's secret test facility at 2604 Central Street,
Severna Park, Maryland (turn left at the church and proceed to the end
of the street).
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The #2060 chain used by the Panther is quite robust and can be
used with a variety of tread types. Here, mazonite treads are
secured to the attachment tabs using rivets and self-tapping screws.
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The width of the chain link itself is 3/4" and the overall width
of the link and attachment tabs is a little over 2".
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The length of each #2060 link is exactly 1.5", as is the
distance between the center of each attachment tab hole.
If a 1.5" wide tread is mounted, then there will be no gap between
each tread when the track is flat and the track will not bend
in one direction. So, if you're using a suspension system, you
should reduce the width of each track to allow the chain to flex
in both directions.
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Here's 17-tooth size 60 sprocket that is being used as the
drive sprocket, mounted on a keyed 5/8" shaft.
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The overall outside diameter of the drive wheel, chain link and 1/4" thick
tread is 5-3/8".
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Track Speed Estimate:
Don't be fooled into thinking that the larger overall diameter increases
vehicle speed as it does in wheeled vehicles. For
tracked vehicles, the speed is determined simply by the drive axle RPM,
the cog size and the distance between the centers of each tread. That is,
the tank can only go as fast as the length of the track that is laid down.
For example, in this case the links are 1.5" on center and 8.5 treads are
laid down every revolution (1.0625 feet per revolution).
If the drive axle is running at 250 RPM, then this tank will theoretically
travel at:
1.0625 ft/rev * 250 rev/min * 60 min/hr = 3.02 MPH
---------------------------------------
5280 ft/mile
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The overall diameter of a 15-tooth sprocket, links and treads is 5".
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The 10-tooth sprocket is the smallest sprocket that can be
used with the #2060 link without the links hitting the sprocket hub.
The overall diameter of the sprocket, links and treads is 4".
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Click Photo For Enlargement (62 Kb)
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February 2006:
The friction drive rotate system has been replaced by a chain drive system
that is more powerful and more reliable.
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