Metal tracks

[Timbo68]

I've just acquired my second tank with metal wheels/tracks. I thought about some form of track lubrication, but decided it was probably a bad idea. I have used bike drylube on rock crawler transmissions, but it just left a horrible mess. Also - both tanks have 'rubber' tyres, and these might be degraded by any oil-based lubricants.
So, lubrication - good or bad? If OK, what has anyone tried?

[tomhugill]

No tracks shouldn't need lubrication

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[RenoirLV]

From what I heard track lubrication isn’t done. I never did that and they still work ok. The only component that can rust is the pin. But even with rust in them they still work well.

I did as thinking about dry bicycle chain lubricant in the gearbox. Can you tell more about the mess you mentioned?


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[c.rainford73]

As Tom noted no lubrication needed

[Timbo68]

Thanks for the confirmation - I'll leave them as is!

I found that the drylube hardened, and became a paste which was difficult to remove. Probably OK for bike chains, but not for anything less robust or more detailed.

[General Jumbo01]

That saves a job then

However, it does make it all the more important to make sure all the road wheels, drive sprocket, idler wheel and return rollers are aligned to minimise wear. You could safely WD40 the track when clean and ensure all the links are free moving, wiping the track dry before use.

Teflon grease (if you can find it) is great in the gearbox.

[jarndice]

After you have run your Tank you should inspect the whole of the drivetrain for trapped stones especially between Tiger twin wheels, Grass wrapped around axles, Sprockets etc and sand and/or water in the hull.
A bicycle pump or airbrush feed should be used to blow the gearboxes, tracks and wheels/sprockets/idlers clear of dust.
Once the gearboxes are clean a decent lube should be lightly applied,
A bulkhead between the gearboxes and the rest of the hull is a very good idea.

[Son of a gun-ner]

That dry lube for bike chains is meant to leave a residue to protect the chain from moisture, and it dries hard to prevent dust from sticking to the chain.
Any other type of lube will be wet, and will collect harmful dust on the tracks, I'll confess, I did once pick up a chain lube many years ago for the purpose of using it on my tracks, and luckily realised the error in purchasing it before I attempted to use it. I'll probably use it on the gears as it is quite clingy.
As was said above, it's only the pins that are liable to rust, and if you are the type that likes to play in puddles, especially muddy ones, the occasional cleaning with WD40 after removing any mud won't hurt.