Heng Long German Leopard 2A6 Professional Edition

[Rubicon99]

I just received my leopard pro and it’s unreal. So beautiful this thing.

But I have a problem. How did heng long expect us to remove the sprockets after installing the sprocket caps? There’s really no way to pull it out once you install it. I want to install bearings. Help.

im guessing I can drill out the cap hole enough to fit my 2.5mm hex driver. But I’ll wait for an answer first. Don’t wanna screw anything up.

You have to change the screw to one that can accommodate a standard screwdriver. Then use a narrow screwdriver small enough to fit through the small center hub cap hole. It's easier than it sounds.

Or leave the hub cap off.

[Woohoo\o/]

I drilled it just a tad bit more and my driver was able to fit. Thanks rubicon.

[MaverickTank]

I just received my leopard pro and it’s unreal. So beautiful this thing.

But I have a problem. How did heng long expect us to remove the sprockets after installing the sprocket caps? There’s really no way to pull it out once you install it. I want to install bearings. Help.

im guessing I can drill out the cap hole enough to fit my 2.5mm hex driver. But I’ll wait for an answer first. Don’t wanna screw anything up.

Run a small tap down the center hole of the cap. Then, you can insert a cap screw into the cap and pull it out easily.

[MaverickTank]

I have been running my Leo outside with metal tracks for two years, and I'm going to ditch the metal tracks for plastic. Here's why:

- I have used plastic on other tanks, and it wears well, even in dirt and concrete. Contrary to conventional wisdom, I have found that plastic is durable outside. Surprise! I have had zero issues with running plastic tracks on my tanks.
- The metal tracks don't look like the real tracks. The casting pockets on the inner side of track are probably there to reduce weight and cost, but it traps dirt and looks weird.
- The metal tracks are very heavy and put a lot of (unnecessary) strain on the drive train. The heavy tracks pull on the idler and drive sprocket, especially when they dig into the substrate I'm driving over. This weakens the hull plastic and wears the drive mechanism.
- Any darkened pad quickly becomes shiny when run outdoors. I'm tired of constantly coloring the track.
- The metal wheels and suspension arms add enough weight to sufficiently recreate the suspension "crawl" of the tank.
- Plastic does not freeze like metal tracks when running on snow and ice.
- Plastic tracks cost around $19.
- Drive time improves!

I loved the metal tracks initially after I purchased my tank. It's cool to have metal tracks, like the real Leo. Kinda. I soon realized that the weight of the metal tracks were the reason I was having so many issues with tracks popping off the drive sprocket, grass getting bound up in the track, and the hull flexing. I had similar issues with other tanks, but after switching to plastic the problems went away! Maybe if you have a Mato or other more expensive and extensively engineered tank these problems wouldn't be an issue. But, with the Heng Long tanks, metal tracks seem to be too much strain on the design.

One thing that Heng Long has going for them is that you can get steel gear boxes with plastic tracks. Add weight accordingly.