KT breakdown

[padge mc grath]

Hi Guys.

It would appear that my trek onto the gravel as mentioned in the last thread has done a bit more damage than I first anticipated. I thought that the gravel had only just knocked off the track but now the KT left track is not moving at all when I use the the RC to turn the KT to the right. It does seem to work when the KT is going in a straight line i.e. the track moves, but I am not sure if this has more to do with the traction of the right track. There was a distict smell of burning when I tried to move the left track only. Since I have virtually no technical ability worth mentioning I am now beginning to wonder if my KT is destined to retire as a permanent static model. I would seriously appreciate any help I can get as I dont want to comtemplate the possibility at this stage that the KT's mobile days are over.

Thanks in advance for any assistance offered

Regards

Padge

[chris fry]

hello padge mc grath,

you might want to remove the motor in question and look at the roll pin which holds the drive gear on to the motor shaft, they will break quite easily, but they are designed to do this to protect the motor, when you do remove the motor and the roll pin seems to be in position knock the pin out with a hammer and punch (they are quite tight) as they can appear intact but they can shear in to 3 bits so the ends of the roll pins stay in the drive gear and the middle part of the pin stays in the motor shaft so the shaft can turn but wont turn the drive gear,
hope this helps and cures your problem.
regards, Chris.

[padge mc grath]

Hi Chris.

Thanks for coming back to me so quickly. This looks like it is going to be a big job.
Since the motor is up front and not very accessable I assume that the KT will need quite a bit of deconstruction before this problem can be solved. My brother is going to give me a helping hand tomorrow and I will let you know how we get on. I havent had the KT that long and so far its spent more time being repaired than actual usage time. This is more than likely down to my own inexperience and it seem that there is a learning curve when it comes to these brutes. At least I now know what not to do when it comes to operating these monsters. I think I have had 2 hernias at least trying to get this monster indoors after the breakdowns.

Thanks again and I will keep you informed

Regards

Padge

[John Fitzsimons]

Sorry to hear about the King Tiger. I reakon this one has had a hard life seeing the videos. I know yours is an Armortek/Mark 1 hybrid. If it was an Armortek drive I would have thought maybe the sprocket loose on the shaft or possibly worn gears. I am back from France at last. Must arrange to meet up again. I know the Armortek set up. Not sure about the Mark 1. Sounds like it requires a strip down.

Hope it dos'nt become a static model.

[padge mc grath]

Hi Guys

Here are pictures of the left hand drive shaft and the gear. Drive is transmitted through the key and keyway which has sheared in two (lenghtways) which caused loss of drive to the left track. The KT is a hybrid, mainly armortek but I think the running gear is Mark1. Now have to go and find out where I can get a new key. Any ideas/

Thanks

2012-02-15 20.41.35.jpg (197.04 KiB) Viewed 5362 times

2012-02-15 20.40.09.jpg (153.28 KiB) Viewed 5362 times

[John Fitzsimons]

Was'nt too far off with my guess, (loose sprocket). Now just that burning smell was nothing serious.

[Robert E Morey]

Padge,
The keyway should be a standard size. Are there hardware type stores in Ireland? Otherwise have a mate or someone make a new one for you. Here in the US hardware stores sell square key stock, that one looks to be about 1/8" (3mm). Hopefully no electronics burned up, but check all fuses first. The Armortek system have fuses which will blow first. You say this is MArk1 running gear then unknown if fuses are installed to protect from burn up.

Best of luck at the unpleasant but hopefully successful rebuild!
Bob

[padge mc grath]

Hi Bob,

I will try our local hardwares for a key, otherwise I will have to get one made up which I hope wont be too difficult. Apparently Armortek may have these in stock also. This KT certainly needs a major review. I am fearful about the electonics and hope that no damage has been done. We also had to cut out the pins which tighten up the tracks as they had become bent. Its looking a sorry sight at the moment but I am confident that with the help of my friend John, it will look as good as new in the not too distant future.

Sincere thanks for your input.

Regards

Padge

[Jan_Donadoni]

Check carefully out the transmission gear of your KT.

Personally I do not believe that mixing up Armortek KT and Mark-I gear is good.
I do not comment the quality of the items, but Mark-I KT is in the 80-100kg area, while Armortek's is in the 160-200kg area.
Frequent damage in the driving and transmission train is to be expected, since the stress on the parts is the double at least.
If you also add some stressing maneuvers a break is behind the next corner.

[John Fitzsimons]

Fully agree Jan. I wonder what happened to the original armortek hull. Did armortek just sell the upper hull and turret? Maybe it's being chopped up to make a jagd tiger or somthing? Looking forwar to getting a good look at the innards next week.
I have seen some video oc this tank driving and was coping well with difficult obstacles. Maybe a bit of TLC needed.

[chris fry]

hello padge,

didn't realizes the mix build of your kt, looking at the shaft that is quite well worn, doesn't look like they have been heat treated so are quite soft and will wear quite quickly, if you have a size of the keyway there is plenty of steel bar on ebay so there might be an option to purchase some,
hope you get this sorted out quite quickly.
chris.

[padge mc grath]

Thanks everyone for all yor help. My trek onto gravel certianly did not help. Maybe a little more patience and better understanding of my KT would also go a long way. I shouldn't have forced the issue and it looks like I paid the price.Some good has definetly come out of this. I have learned some things about the mechanics of these things as well as some of the do's and dont's

[John Fitzsimons]

Check Mark 1 for spares. The claim to have a good waranty on their product. I'm sure they carry plenty of spares. It should fix up nicely. May as well look at the other side also.

[Jan_Donadoni]

It will cost You some money but,
Got over to Armortek transmission. I believe that mark 1 has no hope to deal the weight for any considerable time, no matter how carefully you drive

[John Fitzsimons]

Probably worth hunting down the otiginal armortek hull if it is available. Maybe if Armortek ever do anoyher batch of KTs they might make an extra hull, suspension and wheel set. Big increase in weight but less likely to give problems. See you on Saturday Padge. Looking forward to it.