GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/18/08 11:51 a.m.

Now with a much better honeycomb structure:

http://www.markstechnologynews.com/2008/11/honeycomb-tire-bomb-proof-bullet-proof.html

http://hackaday.com/2008/11/17/honeycomb-tire-wont-go-flat/

Also this was an ad that page brought up:

http://www.mclarenusa.com/nu-air/nu-air-semi-pneumatic-tires-for-skid-steer-loaders-and-backhoes.html

These things could be a big hit in rock crawling and could have uses for other off-road events...

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/18/08 11:55 a.m.

Oh, on the topic of alternative wheels, remember there's a company that makes track kits that allow you to fit caterpillars to a truck, but they cost about a bazillion dollars?

(EDIT: Oh right it was Mattracks http://www.mattracks.com/)

Well check this out:

http://www.mclarenusa.com/protrac/protrac-over-the-tire-tracks-for-skid-steer-loaders.html

I wonder how much those cost...there could be a way to replicate that system more cheaply...

That_Renault_Guy
That_Renault_Guy GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
11/18/08 12:32 p.m.

Yeah, but how are you gonna make dubs like that?

seann
seann Reader
11/18/08 1:16 p.m.

Read about this in the school paper a little while back, developed by students at UW-Madison. Go Badgers!

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/18/08 1:21 p.m.

Those driveshafts look like they're running at over 50 degrees...I'm guessing each driveshaft has a little gearbox at each end, which is then hooked up to the diff and transfer case with a U-joint

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/19/08 11:06 a.m.

Also on the alternative wheels topic, check these out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mecanum_wheel

A quick Youtube search should turn up vids of forklifts going sideways - and not in a way that makes them tip over. Obviously though, it requires either electric motors or a really fancy transmission / transfer case system.

fastEddie
fastEddie Dork
11/19/08 11:16 a.m.

similar wheels - http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/prototype-this/slide-show/slide-show-06.html

maroon92
maroon92 SuperDork
11/19/08 11:17 a.m.

those honeycomb "twheels" would be great for Rally-Cross. we are always having people blow the bead off their rims.

JmfnB
JmfnB GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/19/08 12:34 p.m.
maroon92 wrote: those honeycomb "twheels" would be great for Rally-Cross. we are always having people blow the bead off their rims.

I only remember blowing the exhaust off my car with "super Merkur VTAK powarrr! (Fueled by Baconator)

JohnGalt
JohnGalt New Reader
11/19/08 6:25 p.m.

Those would be awesome in allot of off road type situations.

neon4891
neon4891 Dork
11/19/08 7:08 p.m.

http://www.mattracks.com/ + http://www.earthroamer.com/tab_xpedition_vehicles/xvlt1_overview.html = berkeleying sweet

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