T34 sprockets

[Adrian Harris]

Quick question - should the rollers (FA0312) in the sprockets rotate or not

The manual doesn't specify, but the fact that Mark has called them "rollers" and nyloc nuts are used makes me think they probably ought to. Mine don't, mostly

Adrian.

[Ian Rodney]

Hi Adrian,

Well my rollers rotate on my T34/85 Tank.

Cheers
Ian

[Adrian Harris]

Thanks Ian.

This is what happens when they stop going round:

You can certainly tell the two which were still rotating.

From the witness marks on the pins, it would appear that the rollers were stuck on the pins, rather than there being debris around them. There was a certain amount of grass but it pulled out easily and wasn't jamming any of the mechanism.

Fortunately, the engineering department chose a soft grade of aluminium for the rollers, making them sacrificial, thus saving the more expensive track links from excessive wear.

Something else to add to the spare parts order Gill

Adrian.

[Adrian Harris]

I cannot believe I started this 18 months ago

So, rather than get new steel rollers from Gill, I decided to see if I could use the CNC lathe to produce some new ones. After some assistance from Mark regarding material choice and machining speeds, and quite a few 'dummy runs' I've finally produced two complete sets for the T34 demonstrator.

These are the new rollers:

The replacement brass roller pivot pins, with coned ends:

Here is one of the sprockets, fully loaded and ready to go back on the T34.

Adrian.

[Ian Rodney]

Hi Adrian,

Just when I thought all was "Quite on the Western….sorry Eastern Front".
On all the T34s kits?

Yes I think your right Adrian it was about 18 months ago you were last on talking about T34 Sprockets!

Nice job on making your own sets of brass rollers and pivot pins with coned ends. Hope your sprockets work well once you have put them back on!

I have still to design, produced a little A5 landscape booklet on my upgrades I made for my own T34/85 kit.
But I have moved on for the moment and well into my 25 PDR gun upgrades! Hope to get back to T34 booklet some day!

Good to see someone like your self back on the T34 Forum!

Cheers
Ian

[Adrian Harris]

It's odd how some models sink without trace after the initial enthusiasm. I wonder how many T34s and US halftracks are sitting tucked away awaiting their time on the work bench

Now I've got the sprockets sorted, that should be the end of all the blown fuses I've been suffering, as the stuck rollers meant the tracks could lock solid whenever it was turning.

Once I get the suspension sorted on the other side she should be fully operational

Adrian.

[Derek Attree]

Hi Adrian
Nice work on the rollers the T34 is a tank on my wish list
but for some time in the future.

Watching with interest.

Derek