CRAWLER (100mm suspension travel)

[Tomas TECHNIC]

This crawler is driven by two PF L motors with total gear ratio 1:5. It has got no differential to ensure best terrain performance. Each wheel is steered by a PF servo motor which is located in the front axle.

The main feature of this creation is the extra soft suspension. The shock absorbers are compressed about 50% in idle position. It offers 100mm of suspension travel thanks to the long axle arms.

The outdoor performance of this crawler is surprisingly good. Maybe you think that L motors are not strong enough but I can make sure that they are. Even powered just with a standard battery box with rechargeable batteries. I have also build axles with XL motors but they definitely weren't as good as axles with L motors. Mostly because their bigger size.

Check this nicer page with more photos: https://tomastechnic.com/crawler/

Edited August 14, 2020 by Tomas TECHNIC

[Gray Gear]

I would suggest putting some bigger wheels on this thing, these look way too small. 

[Tomas TECHNIC]

1 hour ago, Gray Gear said:

I would suggest putting some bigger wheels on this thing, these look way too small. 

Yes, I know these wheels aren't big enough for this creation but I don't have bigger ones. The appearance could be much better but also the gear reduction would have to be something like 1:9.

[MinusAndy]

Big wheels might make the motors struggle way more

[chlego]

Looks very good.

Maybe you could, as an extra challenge, try to mount lockable diffs.

[Tomas TECHNIC]

5 hours ago, chlego said:

Looks very good.

Maybe you could, as an extra challenge, try to mount lockable diffs.

That will be really difficult. Mainly to make reliable switch control without pneumatics.

I have already build a crawler truck with mechanic diff locks.

But it is a long time ago and I agree that the appearance is ... terrible.

[Verodin]

Oh I really like the crawler. It's like a little insect crawling all over the place. Don't know how to explain it, but it ticks all the boxes for me. I don't think the wheels are too small. For a real life look, yeah maybe. But the small wheels contribute to the funky look and work for me :D And it seems to be working great too!

[JGW3000]

Minimalistic and brutalistic, works really well. but could use more chunky off-road style wheels. I like how it handles the 'pillow challenge,' I imagine most crawlers would get stuck on even one pillow. Well done!

 

 

[arieben]

Love this. And I agree with Verodin, I don't think it needs bigger wheels. Looks great and performs excellently just as it is.

[Tomas TECHNIC]

14 hours ago, Verodin said:

Oh I really like the crawler. It's like a little insect crawling all over the place. Don't know how to explain it, but it ticks all the boxes for me. I don't think the wheels are too small. For a real life look, yeah maybe. But the small wheels contribute to the funky look and work for me :D And it seems to be working great too!

Thanks a lot!

12 hours ago, JGW3000 said:

Minimalistic and brutalistic, works really well. but could use more chunky off-road style wheels. I like how it handles the 'pillow challenge,' I imagine most crawlers would get stuck on even one pillow. Well done!

 

 

Thank you! Yes, more chunky wheels would fit perfectly to it but as I said, these wheels are the biggest I have. It was my main target to make easy for this crawler to overcome these pillows. The most important was to make it stable enough to not fall on a side.

5 hours ago, arieben said:

Love this. And I agree with Verodin, I don't think it needs bigger wheels. Looks great and performs excellently just as it is.

Thank you!

[Tomas TECHNIC]

I just uploaded a building video. You can check how this crawler is build.