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Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 3:31 pm
by Sam Hough
Are there any places to particularly avoid driving?

We have a gravel drive, that seems like it would do horrible things to the tracks.

Anything else to stay away from?

Thanks

Sam

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 5:55 pm
by Adrian Harris
Gravel is particularly bad for tracks.

The bare earth pile at TankFest had a few hidden stones which claimed a few links, so it's always worth a recon trip.

Long grass can get wrapped around sprockets, axles and idlers but doesn't usually cause any damage.

Snow isn't too bad as long as you let the tank cool down to the ambient temperature before running it, otherwise the snow performs exactly as in real life and melts between the wheels before refreezing and locking everything up.

Adrian.

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:31 pm
by Sam Hough
Thanks Adrian,

Will stick to back garden if I can work out how to get it there.

It has made a right mess of my painted garage floor! Nice and slippy though as I break it in and fiddle with track tension.

Cheers

Sam

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 8:43 pm
by Chris Hall
I've got a gravel drive too, with grass on the other side. So I drive very slowly (especially with the Panther), and in a straight line, over the gravel to reach the green fields beyond .....

Apart from that, what Adrian said. These busses will go over pretty well anything with care, but an initial survey pays dividends. That earth mound at Tankfest initially caused grief to Tigers, Panthers and Shermans (although the Mark IV's sailed over it ! :D) but once it became impacted it was fine for everyone.

The only thing I personally would avoid like the plague would be deep water, especially if it's muddy / gritty. Apart from that, don't let worry spoil your fun !

Can't wait for the chance to run in snow .....

All the best,

Chris

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 9:59 pm
by mark lawson
If you have to drive/turn on gravel then use some boards especially to turn the tank this can and will fill the tracks casing them to jam and most likely breaking track links small gravel can be worse than the larger stuff.

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:25 am
by Sam Hough
After months of ignoring the overgrown back garden path it has suddenly become urgent job ;)

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 5:26 pm
by Graham Hough
It would be good to get that done before next week, I less job for us ;)

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:13 pm
by Sam Hough
Is done although the tracks managed to pull out a huge weed.

Doing lots of tinkering with track tension. Also worried as front left road wheel doesn't touch the track. Could be wrong position? I think you said you had not ground flats on the torsion bars yet.

Re: Surfaces/conditions to avoid driving on/in?

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:53 am
by Graham Hough
Yes until I was certain that the torsion bars were in the correct position they are only clamped in position. If we are happy with the angle of the suspension arm then I will grind the flats.