titan20

I've been seeing several of the old "clutch" drive system Tamiya tanks pop up on Ebay lately, including a couple of King Tigers. I thought about bidding on one of them, but I wonder how hard it is to get that system to work. I know it only uses on 540 motor. Does a servo activate the clutch system? How many channels do you need to control the drive operation? Thanks everyone.

tomzag

My Feedback: (-1)

servo control steering by engaging or disengaging clutch.

i still have a set for Leo1a4 or gepard.

what do you use this for?

titan20

Thanks for the help. I've just been watching some auctions for the older style Tamiya kits on ebay. I might bid on one if I think I can get it to work.

CapnCrunch43

It is a sytem that uses a clutch on each side and uses a servo controlled rocker to disengage one side or the other for turning. For something with as wide a footprint as the King Tiger, it lacks in some areas, but is better in others. Where as a dual motor sytem would grind whatever might get caught in the sprocket and possibly break the track(or worse), the clutches on this system would disengage before much harm is done. I own a KT with the drive system and the clutches have saved the track on numerous occasions.

However, you cannot have both tracks turn in opposite directions (pivot steer). Also, without a way to stop the now free rolling side, turns on high friction creating surfaces can be frustrating. The stock gearboxes may have a braking system already, but mine didn't work very well so I altered it. To get the system to work, it must have the rubber pads 'warmed up' by using the 'brakes' to stop the free rolling side.

Personally, after getting a taste of a speed controlled dual motor operation, the clutch system is even more frustrating, even with 'brakes'. But, it is still somewhat interesting because of the care that must be exercised in it's use.