Hello all the way from the U.S.

jackalope · Post by **jackalope** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:02 pm

Hi guys just getting into RC tanks and it appears there is NOTHING for us guys in the U.S. So hopefully this place and you fine gents can give me a hand with my new tank. Because I really wasn't sure if I'd like RC tanks I decided to start out with a less expensive Heng Long Tiger I tank, however once I got the thing and started to mess around with it I quickly found I REALLY like this hobby!

So as you'd expect I plan to upgrade this starter Tiger to a more hobby level tank, I did opt for the upgraded version with the metal tracks and transmissions as it was only $60 more.

So on to my first issue, it throws its right side track. I've read this is a common problem and someone on this forum has a fix for it or should I just order the metal hull and road wheels and suspension parts? I'm holding off ordering new 4.1 transmissions till I get this track throwing issue sorted out.

Any advice or links to products would be great as its kinda tough to find parts over here for some reason.

Thanks in advance.

ALPHA · Post by **ALPHA** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:15 pm

Greetings Fellow Colonist

...Tiger throwing a track...that's not common... mine doesn't ...but you should put some blocks under it to raise it off the ground...then run it... see if there is any odd rotation of the idler or sprockets...changing the gearboxes is not a solution.. as it is the "tracking" ...the general problem with Heng Long "axis" tanks is the metal tracks themselves... Heng Long usually doesn't include extra links for the metal tracks they provide... and they usually run too tight... if you run the tank long enough with these tight tracks..they can damage the Idler mount and cause the derailing ...so check that first... the fix for that is to either get a tension adjuster ...or aftermarket tracks that allow for the adjustment

Welcome to the Adventure

Good Luck

ALPHA

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:34 pm

Good Afternoon,
Welcome to the Forums. There are a few of us on here. ;o) Pictures of your tank when you get the chance, please. We enjoy chatting and kicking the virtual road wheels. In addition to the excellent advice that Alpha has given you, I would suggest browsing through the sub categories here about things to check and do to your new tank. One of the things recommended is to make sure your idler wheels are secure and not coming off. This will throw a track before almost anything else. It will be evident once you have the tank on a block and are running it to observe wheel and track movement. Good luck and
regards,
Painless

jackalope · Post by **jackalope** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:01 pm

Just ran it on a block and the tracks run fine in the air no popping off, but when I run it on the ground the right track pops so the teeth on the inside of the track are riding in the groove of the rear idler wheel on the right side only. The right sprocket does have a slight wobble to it but I don't see how the sprocket wobble could make the track pop off at the other end of the tank.

As for adding a link to the tracks they already rest on top of the road wheels and seem pretty slack/loose to me but then I'm no tank expert like you guys.

I think I may pull the rear idlers off and see if I can make any adjustments, heck I may go as far as to make a solid axle that the idlers could spin independently on that way they would/couldn't flex.

MichaelC · Post by **MichaelC** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:10 pm

jack, maybe the track is too loose and sliding off the idler. Can you send a picture of the tank when it is sitting on a flat surface ? Where is the track popping off ? From sprocket or from the idler ?

jackalope · Post by **jackalope** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:19 pm

*sigh* After some technical issues I can not get the pics to upload. I'll keep trying to figure out what they did to the photo site I'm a member of but they changed it SO dam much I can't figure it out!

jackalope · Post by **jackalope** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:43 pm

Ok here you see how far the tracks hang down when the tank is off the ground

Here's how the tracks look when the tank is on the ground, note they rest on the tops of the road wheels

This is the idler wheel I'm having problems with. This pic shows how it SHOULD look. However it is not staying in the groove between the 2 rows of teeth the track pops outward so the idler wheels inside groove is riding on the inside set of teeth.

I'd LOVE to post more pics however the hosting site has changed SO much it took me over an hour to get these 3 loaded!

MichaelC · Post by **MichaelC** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:18 pm

jack, you can also load the pictures directly to the forum site as well.

That track is really loose for Tiger I. I have never seen them this loose out of the box. Usually they are too tight. I definitely think you can use some tightening if it is slipping off the idler. Is the idler wobbling by any chance ? Also, since the track is so loose and sits on the top of the last road wheel, if the idler is not line up with the road wheel it will slip for sure.

MichaelC

jackalope · Post by **jackalope** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:30 pm

Thank you MichaelC. How do I remove a link from the tracks? Also I've looked at the Tiger upgrade posts should I adjust the suspension to make it tighter as recommended in that thread?

I may be new to RC tanks but I have been modeling for over 30 years as well as RC cars, monster trucks, Helicopters and planes all in both electric and nitro powered. I also work on and have built several cars from the ground up, my last few cars include a 1972 Pontiac Formula Firebird, a 1965 Jaguar XKE convertable, and a 1951 Jaguar XK120. I'm sure some of you guys would LOVE to get your hands on either of the Jags

And yes I pronounce the name JAG YOU ARE in the correct English way.

jarndice · Post by **jarndice** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:43 pm

Hallo Jack, To split a track I would suggest you scroll down the menu until you get to TIP & TRICKS, SELECT SUB PAGE 3 and scroll down to entry 10. all will be revealed. good luck with that Tiger. shaun

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Hello all the way from the U.S.

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