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Tracks needed — Parallax Forums

Tracks needed

NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
edited 2012-09-27 15:37 in General Discussion
So I have scoured the Internet looking for tracks for a robot without breaking the bank. I need tracks that are sturdy and about 4 to 5 inches wide for my project. I have looked in to building my own but this seems very time consuming. Does anyone know of a good source for tracks that are not trying to fund their business with one sale?

Comments

  • rwgast_logicdesignrwgast_logicdesign Posts: 1,464
    edited 2012-09-23 00:12
    i have no idea if this is helpful BUT

    http://wardyprojects.blogspot.com/

    check out the second page of this prop blog and the last post on the first page. its all about using a cheap rc tank chasis
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-09-23 05:12
    Definitely a hard to find item. Maybe you can locate a snow mobile junk yard for salavage somewhere.
  • jdoleckijdolecki Posts: 726
    edited 2012-09-23 06:50
    What you got to trade?

    Each size rubber ones are from snow blowers with wheels ( Large set and Small set)

    Plastic ones are conveyor belts. (still have to find the 3 other wheels)

    If interested PM me

    tracks.jpg
    tracks.jpg
    1024 x 765 - 97K
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-09-23 10:01
    rwgast_logicdesign wrote: »
    i have no idea if this is helpful BUT

    http://wardyprojects.blogspot.com/

    check out the second page of this prop blog and the last post on the first page. its all about using a cheap rc tank chasis

    Yea, I actually have those same tracks but they are just too small. Looking for something about twice the width/length of those type. Thanks though.
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-09-23 10:10
    I think the snow blower treads are going to be your best bet for the size you're after.

    I've listed some links to other (smaller) treads in post #12 of my index. Of the smaller treads, I think the Lynxmotion and Vex look the most promising.

    I have a couple of set of the Vex treads. I think Amanda has some of the Lynxmotion tread.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-09-23 10:16
    You might want to consider cutting the tracks from a car tire. If you mount the tire on a rim and inflate it, then mount the wheel (on a car or a jig) so it can be turned you can use a fine toothed blade on a circular saw to cut most of the way through the tire. The rest has to be done by hand and that is the hard part.

    It's a lot of work but it makes for a very inexpensive and durable track.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-09-23 10:50
    The snowblower tracks look your best bet for something ready made or salvage.

    I can't imagine making your own from car tires.Those sidewalls have steel inside.

    But I do have a couple of salvaged timing belts that I have turned inside out so that the bumps are on the outside where they might provide traction. This are not so wide - about 2 inches. But with the right suspension and drive pulley, they could support quite a bit of weight.

    Over the years I have looked and looked, but found nothing that is really low budget.
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-23 12:48
    Some ideas here;

    http://www.rctankcombat.com/articles/track-systems/
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-09-23 12:51
    I also have about 12 feet of stainless steel conveyer that I salvaged from the Red Hook brewery. It was used for moving kegs. Might be a bit wide for you, each segment is about 2" x 6".
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2012-09-23 15:26
    Loopy Byteloose wrote: »
    The snowblower tracks look your best bet for something ready made or salvage.

    I can't imagine making your own from car tires.Those sidewalls have steel inside.

    But I do have a couple of salvaged timing belts that I have turned inside out so that the bumps are on the outside where they might provide traction. This are not so wide - about 2 inches. But with the right suspension and drive pulley, they could support quite a bit of weight.

    Over the years I have looked and looked, but found nothing that is really low budget.

    AFAIK no tires use steel for the sidewalls, and although some use steel for the belts, even that is not as common as it used to be. A small cheap car or trailer tire is not all that difficult to cut but they may be a bit too stiff for use on a small low powered robot. Works well for a large snow blower.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-09-23 19:22
    W9GFO wrote: »
    each segment is about 2" x 6".

    Is that 6" wide? If so, Can they be cut down or not? After doing the research I am thinking the conveyor belt type may be my best bet. That said, does anyone know where I can get them?

    And thanks to all for the help.

    Edit: I found what I need on EBay. Unless anyone that reads this post has any conveyor or timing belts they want to sell or trade I will be purchasing on Monday. Thanks again for all the help.
  • ajwardajward Posts: 1,130
    edited 2012-09-23 22:12
    I do have the Lynxmotion 2 inch tracks and sprockets. Only problem I have is finding motors powerful enough to get the chassis turn. On carpet is simply impossible and on tile is horribly slow.

    I've a pair of Pololu 80 RPM motors that may work, but they're on another 'bot right now.

    Amanda
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-09-24 10:46
    Are you looking to part with them? I do not think power will be an issue here.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-09-24 11:26
    Matt Tracks were all the rage a while back, search for those. IIRC, Radio Shack or someone else had some RC vehicles with tracked bogies on clearance a while ago.

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?93072-Boe-Bot-Mattracks&highlight=matt+tracks

    As Amanda alluded, tracks are incredibly inefficient powerwise. They take tons of power just to move the track, not even touching the ground. On the ground, they are mostly skidding sideways in a turn. God help you if a tiny rock gets wedged between your tread and roller.

    IMO, you'd be MUCH happier with 4, 6 or 8 large powered wheels per side. One of these old Rebound vehicles makes a nice 4WD chassis: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tyco-R-C-Rebound-4X4-Vehicle-Only-No-Remote-Or-Battery-Untested-Sold-As-Is-/370654679506?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item564cbd91d2
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-09-24 12:09
    erco wrote: »

    IMO, you'd be MUCH happier with 4, 6 or 8 large powered wheels per side. One of these old Rebound vehicles makes a nice 4WD chassis:

    I actually like this idea. I only have 2 motors but was thinking I could weld sprockets on the wheels and use a chain system. I already have my chasis which is much larger than the one on EBay. Also, I need to either go with solid wheels or wheels that hold air due to the weight.
  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2012-09-24 23:59
    If you need tracks, have a welder and the know-how to use it well, you can get hold of some decent MC chains and weld plates to them. Should be sturdy enough for most small robots.
    Alternatively, if you want rubber, check out parts for custom choppers. Those wide belts used between engine and tranny looks like they would make for beautiful tracks.

    Probably won't be suitable for your bot, just mentioning it here in case someone else needs that size.
  • jdoleckijdolecki Posts: 726
    edited 2012-09-25 10:59
    ebay

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Robotic-Tank-Chassis-Bomb-Dispoal-Robot-Arduino-PICAXE-STAMP-/320989166781?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abc71fcbd
  • WossnameWossname Posts: 174
    edited 2012-09-27 13:30
    rwgast_logicdesign wrote: »
    i have no idea if this is helpful BUT

    http://wardyprojects.blogspot.com/

    check out the second page of this prop blog and the last post on the first page. its all about using a cheap rc tank chasis

    I'm the guy that did that hack. I can tell you that those tracks are very poor quality, so I'd steer well clear of this product, unless you are going to drive it slowly and over nothing more challenging than thin carpet.
  • cuzinitcuzinit Posts: 6
    edited 2012-09-27 15:37
    I am new I just joined and want to tell my story. Tracks are not cheep and drive .wheels are worse. Snowblower tracks are about 6" wide and 48 " long that is the length around from beginning to end. MTD tracks are $150 each and you can get the drive wheels on Ebay for about $60 by a guy who started building them they have been discontinued by the mfg. The Honda and Yamaha tracks are even worse. I have been trying to find tracks 4" to 6" wide and finnally went to Chinese Mfg to Find them I have found some for about $100 plus shipping, unknowen at this point. drivewheels are difficult one company had them for $65 Each plus shipping but most companies just make tracks. Snowmobile tracks can be found used but are about 15" wide and drive wheels are available. They might work if cut down because they use 2 drive wheels on each side if the track. Good luck. I am about to order 4 tracks and build my drive wheels out of plywood untill I get them to work band then try something else HDPE or Aluminum.
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