Astro turf! Your views

[The Tank Man]

Hi guys I'm wanting your view here on Astro turf. Has anyone been to a meet or show were it was used as a battle ground! And if so did anyone have problems running there tank on it. Problems such as burning out your main board or throwing tracks off the tank! I know there's hundreds of types of astro turf but realy need to clear this up and get the low down on wether it's good or bad!! So come on tell us you horror stories on this subject!!

[caddyshack]

The 1st thing that comes to my mind is static..as not every one will be on 2.4... it may not be an issue. But it might be worth looking into.

[Tankbear]

I don’t think it be problem. I run my tanks on grass and patio all the time and haven’t blown a board even with out reduced gearing. Plus some patches of my lawn grow faster than the rain forest so often have grass over the top (returning) track and tank can sometimes struggle it turning but still ok.

[The Tank Man]

Your rite there I dident think of that one! I'm going to get a roll off the stuff to try at home ! Do some test on it and see if anything happens to my tank Im just running 27mh FM but will be running 2.4 at some point! . I know with buggy racing you dont seem to get static but you are on rubber tyres ! And not metal tracks! But good point!

[The Tank Man]

I don’t think it be problem. I run my tanks on grass and patio all the time and haven’t blown a board even with out reduced gearing. Plus some patches of my lawn grow faster than the rain forest so often have grass over the top (returning) track and tank can sometimes struggle it turning but still ok.

I think if it's very short I can't see a problem! But I do think we should try some and see!

[Tankbear]

Right me not been able to remember primary school much, I asked my friend Mr G oogle what causes static electricity and below is an answer.

“How can we move electrons from one place to another? One very common way is to rub two objects together. If they are made of different materials, and are both insulators, electrons may be transferred (or moved) from one to the other. The more rubbing, the more electrons move, and the larger the static charge that builds up.”

Note both materials are insulators so in theory if metal tracks/hulls should be fine. If buggies with rubber wheels are fine then I would imagine nylon tracks should also be fine.

[The Tank Man]

Great point ! Made there! Mr Bear! I could make us all some anti static strips we could fix to the rear towing shackles that should solve it lol . I do think it the turf is short and well compact we shouldn't have problems. But I will test some and bring it to the meet so we can all try it and see what we think ! If it's good and works well I'll get enough to cover the hole indoor area we are going to use!

[fv432]

Hi Gary

if it's short enough ie carpet short (not the shaggy stuff lol) i cant see a problem
static may be a minor issue but as ian said from mr google you would need to skid the tanks along it to even get any but still a possibility

my tiger usually pulls tufts of grass out and i did get a balling when i drove my M41 across mrs 432's carpet and the shiny new tracks caught on it and pulled a nice thread out (man was i in trouble )

that is the only way i can see any issues but if youve got a bad board or its going to blow then it would on grass anyway?
just some thoughts but i cant see a real issue