Super excited to see what you do! I made a little tracked vehicle using lawnmower parts and just braked each side of the diff it doesn’t work well as you say the speed doubles on the unbraked side really labouring the engine. Your design will work great, but why have a heavy diff and weld it when you can just run a chain and sprocket?
Thanks for the comment! My original design was chain driven. The reason I switched to a ring and pinion was due to the advantages- no maintenance or adjustment and more reliable. It’s definitely heavier like you stated. Mine is from a v6 eng. I think a lighter Subaru 4cyl. Differential would work fine and be lighter.
I think your gonna have to weld the diff though. Just unhooking one track from power will handle most of the steering job especially at any kind of speed. The outer brake you have yet to put on will only need to be applied for slow pivot type turns. Im glad your not just individually braking each side of an open diff. They don't seem to turn very good that way and when they start spinning they sometimes peg leg and only spin one track. For you I don't think that flys.
Need to practie some more on those welds if you want things to stay together.
I live 5 miles from Howe and Howe super cool project
Nice! Have you seen any Ripsaws cruising around? Thanks for the comment!
Super excited to see what you do! I made a little tracked vehicle using lawnmower parts and just braked each side of the diff it doesn’t work well as you say the speed doubles on the unbraked side really labouring the engine. Your design will work great, but why have a heavy diff and weld it when you can just run a chain and sprocket?
I think that’s the difference between hobby grade and professional use. 100% duty cycle.
Thanks for the comment! My original design was chain driven. The reason I switched to a ring and pinion was due to the advantages- no maintenance or adjustment and more reliable. It’s definitely heavier like you stated. Mine is from a v6 eng. I think a lighter Subaru 4cyl. Differential would work fine and be lighter.
I think your gonna have to weld the diff though. Just unhooking one track from power will handle most of the steering job especially at any kind of speed. The outer brake you have yet to put on will only need to be applied for slow pivot type turns. Im glad your not just individually braking each side of an open diff. They don't seem to turn very good that way and when they start spinning they sometimes peg leg and only spin one track. For you I don't think that flys.
Definitely gonna weld the diff.