theinfamousbob

Try contacting your local snow blower/ snow clearing machine thing dealership. The heavier duty models come with nice treads and sprockets/wheels. They may even be able to get you repair parts for cheaper than...a full machine.

We use them on our sumo robots without a hitch...they'll hold on our 75lb bot as well as our 150lb bot...

Try around for similar stuff, a timing belt just seems a bit extravagant.

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Tracy Walker

What sort of wheel hubs are you using? Are the tracks like a flat belt inside? If so, the hubs need to be higher in the center than they are on each side, thus: <> . That way, the belt tends to ride up to the center and stay there.

bones

Hi,
Everybody has probably seen this link before, but for those who haven't.
http://www.rctankcombat.com/articles/track-systems/
I have some of the plastic conveyor material but haven't tested it yet.
Otherwise I was thinking of laser cutting 8mm alloy and bolting the drive horn in the centre.
Something like this design, the T34 tank.
Cast version. http://www.geocities.com/eastpac01/tracks.html

Worth a look.

Cheers
Rod

JeffDM

If this is considered a dead-horse topic, I apologize.

I too am having a pretty tough time finding treads and such. New drive belts for choppers doesn't seem to be a cost-effective way to get rubber treads. 1.5" wide belts appear to be fetching $160 each. I have considered going to a local motorcycle shop to ask if I can get any used ones, I'd think the motorcycle owners try to get them routinely replaced before the break, and what I have in mind probably won't be nearly as demanding as a motorcycle.

Roboticinfo

This website has a couple of treads
http://www.e-clec-tech.com/index.html

Also this website has some soft rubber treads
www.robotmarketplace.com

This website has cheap small treads for extremely small robots
www.kelvin.com

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Hero999

LOL!

Just as he's got what he wanted I bet the snow is starting to thaw!

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