Metal vs plastic?

[jackeb]

Another quick question!
In your collective opinions are metal tracks less prone to jumping off the sprockets than plastic? I've noticed that some of you run your metal tracks quite loose with a fair bit of sag. I've fitted Asiatam 3:1 boxes, Elmod and track tensioners, but I'm still running plastic tracks. Admittedly the situation is massively improved over the standard HL set-up but I can still making the track jump off. I have do be doing quite hard manoeuvres, full speed hard left stick turns, and I have to be on grass or carpet. So it's not a huge problem, but I was wondering if it's down to the plastic tracks being able to stretch a little when under high stress?
I intend to get metal tracks at some point but I've spent enough for the time being so they'll have to wait a while, but your thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers.

[Dietrich]

Hi,
Apart from the fact that metal tracks look and perform better, there is another benefit and that is to use them correctly you also need to buy a rear idler wheel adjuster set. These replace your standard 'Fixed' position rear idler with one that can be moved backwards and forwards to tension / slacken off the metal tracks.
Alb.

[blimp]

Hi Jackeb , I think you've hit the nail on the head with your prognosis Plastic tracks do have more 'give' , not always a bad thing , metal tracks don't bend out of shape so they keep aligned , resisting the dreaded skip . The weight also assists in holding them true on the return rollers . As you've already noted , the problem can still occur at high speed but I'd put that down to compression of the suspension and centrifugal forces lifting the tracks away from the sprocket teeth and idler rims , with violent manovers causing sideways pressure allowing the horns to ride up and over them .

[jackeb]

Thanks for the replies guys, useful advice.
So basically metal tracks will improve the situation but not totally stop it. Jeez my Tigers starting to be like a real one .
What'll I'll do is keep chipping away to get it running on plastic tracks the best I can, because I get a lot of enjoyment trying to solve problems like this, and when it's as good as it can be I'll invest in some metal tracks. Unless, of course, I either find some metal ones going for a price I can't refuse, or I go on Fleabay after having a couple of brews .

[blimp]

Lol Sounds like a plan ! - If you ain't totally anal about scale appearence i'd recommend the Mato Tiger tracks , they are a bit 'chocolate block' , but good 'n solid and perform very well . Much cheapness , freely available , with/wthout sprockets and idlers to boot . Worth every penny .

[jackeb]

Yeah, I've been looking at their tracks. Maybe next month.
With regards to the track tensioners, I have fitted some but thought the fitting was more difficult than it could be. It took a lot of fiddling to get the alignment correct and I had to fit stronger springs as the supplied ones compressed far to easily. Which kinda defeated to object of the exercise, somewhat!
I think I'm some where near but my battery needed charging before I got a chance to run it over some rough stuff (note to self; get one other battery..........maybe next month ).
Still, like I said, I like this side of the hobby. Whether it's RC tanks, helis, cars or planes it brings out the engineer in us. My brother in law's father was a tanky in the Desert Rats and there was no piece of machinery he couldn't keep running. Which in turn rubbed off on my brother in law because he's the most talented mechanic I've come across.

[jackeb]

Well I managed to test her over some very rough stuff and I've virtually eliminated any track jumping, with plastic tracks. Basically all I did was take great care with respect to idler too sprocket alignment. I'm running a plastic hull so I've tried my best to compensate for any flex or moulding discrepancies. Overall though I'm very happy with the results.
So what's next? Metal tracks and some form of strengthening to the lower hull to make good the plastic I lost when fitting the tension adjusters. Does it never end ?

[Tankbear]

Jakeb, I agree with Blimp. I have a Tiger with plastic tracks & gearbox, just bought a Pro version which comes with metal tracks & gearbox and the difference is awesome. Although the gearbox is metal the ratio is same as the plastic i.e. it is fast so in comparison it’s only the tank weight and tracks which is different between them. The metal tracks turn better on grass, probably turning circle is halved! and after 30-40 minutes of playing the track only half came off once. The plastic ones would come half off very frequently and sometimes fully come off in longer grass.

Can’t wait to upgrade to a 3:1 gearbox now!

[jackeb]

Yeah I'm set on getting metal tracks but I've got good results with the plastic ones. I'm running 3:1 boxes, metal idlers and sprockets and track tensioners. With some careful attention to idler to sprocket alignment she only half throws a track if I'm ham fisted on really rough stuff. Driving in a more scale like way she's as good as gold. I'm not expecting perfection because the Tiger was a flawed design with respect to tracks anyway, but I think the metal tracks are more convincing and kinda cool!
Anyway it'll have to wait to next month now as I'm trying my hardest to not spend on my hobbies this month. It's all teetering on the edge of getting severely out of hand

[Tankbear]

I think the extra torque from the gearbox will help, as I notice mine happens more when tank is slowed from extra resistance i.e. long grass or up hill or both.

Plus on the patio and loose stones it's fine only the grass is the problem so if you can over come the friction I think that's half the battle won.

(all that refering to the plastic tracks)