Advice to buy a new tank - good options, reliable and that dont break the bank

[cravo]

I didn't do anything to "balance" the tank. I have the all metal version and she runs fine. My best tank.

Yes i buy the metal version as well, i think its called PROFESSIONAL version.
But i still need to see with what it comes in fact.
U did not even reinforced the plastic hull bellow?
i saw lots of people putting some pieces of aluminun on the sides and glue them to the plastic hull to prevent the hull to twist and break, and also i have seen some of the versions in uphills the hull goes completly up because of the added weight on the back (metal gears, transmission and motor).

[Evan D]

I didn't do anything to "balance" the tank. I have the all metal version and she runs fine. My best tank.

[cravo]

Hi Guys already bough the adapter from xt60 to deans so i can use my deans lipos.
Also bought the plier to properly cut the plastic parts on the kit to be assembled.
But what i would like to know and see (one picture is better than one thousand words) is how you balance the weight of the Heng Long M41 Walker Buldog.
I saw some builds that they put an aluminum frame on the sides of the plastic hull and with traverse plastic or wooden or aluminum parts to have better weight distribution and also to improve the rigidity from the tank and its behaviour in handling tough terrains like climbs on soft dirt.
Do you have any ideas on how to do it? Materials used? and how to glue everything?
Also anyone knows the weight of the gearbox with the motors?
I think this will be more or less the weight we need to put up front to be balanced.
What type of glue to you use?
Epoxy?
Thanks in advance.

[cravo]

Ah, sorry. I was referring to the video yourself posted , regarding track tensioning.

Ok i though you were refering to the link you posted.
Regarding to the video of the track tension i just did a quick research on youtube for the information but i dont know if its true or not i will confirm it only when i receive mine.
Unfortunately only by the end of the month :(.

[Meter Rat]

Thank you, but i cant see any video there.
I just see the link pointing to the bearings itself.
No video whatsoever.

Ah, sorry. I was referring to the video yourself posted , regarding track tensioning.

[cravo]

Regarding LiPo vs LiIon batteries, I use 2S LiIons. There are good quality packs available. I've bought mine from Motion RC, their Admiral brand. A full size pack is 7200mah, half size are 3500mah. The only time I've run a pack down at battle events is when I forgot and left a stock 1800mah battery in! I use those when I'm working on the tanks at my bench.

Regarding 2S vs 3S, the tanks will go faster, but after all they aren't meant to be racers, unless you want to run them in large open spaces and need to go from point to point to cut off an attack. Me, I figure if they want to engage they can come to me.

If you want to run Lipo's you can always buy a Low Voltage Alarm. Plugs into the balance taps and screams when you are getting too low. They cost maybe $5 or so.

Lastly, I like the feel of metal tracks but to be honest, plastic sometimes run better. I replaced my metal leopard and Challenger tracks with plastic, and they run more reliably.

Well i already pulled the trigger and i choose the heng long M41 Walker Buldog Professional, will come with metal tracks, metal gearbox, metal sprocket, metal road wheels and maybe i will buy a set of plastic tracks just to run it inside the house.
Regarding to the 2s and 3s good idea i will buy one of those alarms and i hope to hear it with the sound of the tank on.
when i will use 3s i will lower the power, i just have one small 2s and 2 3s 2500mah lipo and i think it will be enough.
Its not for running just to last longer, i can also use a 2s li-ion i have .
Thank you all for the help, MUCH APPRECIATED TO ALL.
i am awaiting patiently to arrive now. probably at the end of the month.
lets see.
as soon as it arrive i will show it.

[cravo]

Caution as not all of them use the same size (bearings)...

Ok, thanks for the informtion.
I will wait and then see the size, just to be sure.

[cravo]

Axel support bearings fit inside the the drive sprockets on the drive output shafts.

https://www.rctanklegion.com/collections/gearbox/products/rc-tank-legion-axle-support-bearing-for-v-6-with-ball-bearings-1-1

If you watch the video it explains where to put the bearings.

Thank you, but i cant see any video there.
I just see the link pointing to the bearings itself.
No video whatsoever.

[SoCalBobS]

A lot of posts here reflect modifications that are fun to do, it's an integral part of the hobby. They aren't really critical for your choice of your first tank. Without a doubt there will be another, and another, and......

One to stay away from is the dreaded "Pantiger"! A long time ago HL took a Tiger chassis and put a batsardized upper hull meant to represent a Panther. Make sure it isn't your choice, since they typically are sold for less than any other. Your fellow tankers will giggle at it, I guarantee it.

[Evan D]

Caution as not all of them use the same size (bearings)...

[SoCalBobS]

Regarding LiPo vs LiIon batteries, I use 2S LiIons. There are good quality packs available. I've bought mine from Motion RC, their Admiral brand. A full size pack is 7200mah, half size are 3500mah. The only time I've run a pack down at battle events is when I forgot and left a stock 1800mah battery in! I use those when I'm working on the tanks at my bench.

Regarding 2S vs 3S, the tanks will go faster, but after all they aren't meant to be racers, unless you want to run them in large open spaces and need to go from point to point to cut off an attack. Me, I figure if they want to engage they can come to me.

If you want to run Lipo's you can always buy a Low Voltage Alarm. Plugs into the balance taps and screams when you are getting too low. They cost maybe $5 or so.

Lastly, I like the feel of metal tracks but to be honest, plastic sometimes run better. I replaced my metal leopard and Challenger tracks with plastic, and they run more reliably.

[Meter Rat]

Axel support bearings fit inside the the drive sprockets on the drive output shafts.

https://www.rctanklegion.com/collections/gearbox/products/rc-tank-legion-axle-support-bearing-for-v-6-with-ball-bearings-1-1

If you watch the video it explains where to put the bearings.

[Evan D]

I think you are on the right "track".

[cravo]

I have the all metal upgrade versions of the Heng Long T-34, Bulldog, T-90, Challenger II, Leopard 2A6 and plastic versions of the King Tiger and M1A2. I really had issues with the Challenger keeping the treads on. I added the two pin treads, link below to some so you can see and added the drive shaft bearing and modified the drive sprockets to get a smooth running reliable tank. Because of this I got the plastic M1A2 and King Tiger, no issues with them at all.

Thats why I recommended the smaller Bulldog and T-34, absolutely reliable and they run great.

All mine except one, I forget now which, came with the place to put the extra bearings on the axles so I did add them to all my tanks. I think the Bulldog comes with the place molded in and you just need to buy the bearings and put them in. I just bought a bunch of the bearings off amazon, generic ones. The older H-L tanks needed the metal adapter in your picture, the newer ones have a place molded in so you don't need the adapter, just the bearings.

Great, can you please provide the measurements of the bearings needed? How many of them? And where to fit them?
I prefer to do it straight at the beginnig to prevent future issues or wear on the parts that later will be more expensive to maintain.

the tracks i will order with the metal tracks professional edition, so for now i will not spent more 95usd, will do on the most needed improvements, tracks are great but i will use the metal ones stock and maybe will buy some plastic just to run them in the wooden floor inside house, its much cheaper.

I also put the more powerful red motors in my larger tanks and about half have my own design FPV system with head tracking.

HengLong RC Tank 1/16 Scale M1A2 Abrams 3918 Metal Tracks W/ Double Rubbers | eBay

[Evan D]

I have the all metal upgrade versions of the Heng Long T-34, Bulldog, T-90, Challenger II, Leopard 2A6 and plastic versions of the King Tiger and M1A2. I really had issues with the Challenger keeping the treads on. I added the two pin treads, link below to some so you can see and added the drive shaft bearing and modified the drive sprockets to get a smooth running reliable tank. Because of this I got the plastic M1A2 and King Tiger, no issues with them at all.

Thats why I recommended the smaller Bulldog and T-34, absolutely reliable and they run great.

All mine except one, I forget now which, came with the place to put the extra bearings on the axles so I did add them to all my tanks. I think the Bulldog comes with the place molded in and you just need to buy the bearings and put them in. I just bought a bunch of the bearings off amazon, generic ones. The older H-L tanks needed the metal adapter in your picture, the newer ones have a place molded in so you don't need the adapter, just the bearings.

I also put the more powerful red motors in my larger tanks and about half have my own design FPV system with head tracking.

HengLong RC Tank 1/16 Scale M1A2 Abrams 3918 Metal Tracks W/ Double Rubbers | eBay

[cravo]

Remember we all have our preferences or non preferences. I run all my tanks on 5200mAh 2S soft LiPos. I have a lot of LiPos, maybe 70-80, and know how to treat them and store them. The ones I use in my tanks are older ones that I don’t use in my planes anymore. I can run an afternoon on a single charge. I’ve never had any kind of issue using them in the tanks.

Toy VS hobby grade is just a label. The H-L or Tamiya both could be called toy or hobby grade in my opinion. It’s all in what you want, they are all toys.

When I recommended the Bulldog and T-34 in metal it was because of two reasons, first they have been bulletproof and required nothing for upkeep. The bigger tanks in metal require more maintenance and in some cases upgrades of the upgrades. The extra weight in the big tanks takes its toll. Better dual pin tank treads and drive shaft bearings are a big help on them.

Can you explain what you mean by dual pin tank threads and drive shaft bearings?
do the Heng Long M41 Walker Buldog professional version already came with those?
if not were to buy then and exaclty what parts?
another question.
I have seen this aftermarket part to improve and stabilize the wobbling of the idler gears, do the M41 comes with bearings on this part or were cam I buy this part bellow?



But again we all have opinions and I run my tanks for fun and not “competitively” or in water or sand.

[Evan D]

Remember we all have our preferences or non preferences. I run all my tanks on 5200mAh 2S soft LiPos. I have a lot of LiPos, maybe 70-80, and know how to treat them and store them. The ones I use in my tanks are older ones that I don’t use in my planes anymore. I can run an afternoon on a single charge. I’ve never had any kind of issue using them in the tanks.

Toy VS hobby grade is just a label. The H-L or Tamiya both could be called toy or hobby grade in my opinion. It’s all in what you want, they are all toys.

When I recommended the Bulldog and T-34 in metal it was because of two reasons, first they have been bulletproof and required nothing for upkeep. The bigger tanks in metal require more maintenance and in some cases upgrades of the upgrades. The extra weight in the big tanks takes its toll. Better dual pin tank treads and drive shaft bearings are a big help on them.

But again we all have opinions and I run my tanks for fun and not “competitively” or in water or sand.

[keilau]

does the M41 has an adjustable idler? if not how to adjust the tracks, do we have to remove one link of each track to stay more tensionable?
and the T34 does it have adjustable idler?
Im focusing on these two models first on all metal parts, but i know the added weight will give more wear and less runtime, on the other hand is good the added weight for climbing and with metal tracks doesnt slip so much as metal.
So i think the plastic tracks are better suited for indoor use and metal tracks for outdoors ( i have a wooden floor) and i am concerned if i play at home with metal tracks the floor will get badly scratched, lol

You will find many useful information at the Metal Upgrades thread. I did not start it, but have several posts on the T-34/85 metal upgrades that you may find useful.

https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/rc-cars-tanks-trucks-and-more/rc-tanks/382336-metal-upgrades

Since you plan to buy the RTR metal version, you may not need to worry about the idler adjustment nor adding weight.

[cravo]

I liked the M41
but I will do some upgrades of course but I prefer the professional version in metal and it seems it has tension of that tracks adjustment.
I will confirm and then will order

[Meter Rat]

I have no experience with the M41.
Stanley at RC tank Liegion is also a good supplier.

The Challenger, Abrams, and T72 all have the same track adjusters on the front idler. My Tiger is based on a Tamiya chassis, so has an Henntec type adjuster on the rear idlers.

None of my tanks, with exception of the T72, are stock, and have aftermarket parts, which alters how each tank performs. Each tank will have a different type of track adjustment depending on if it has front or rear idlers. Do not expect any model never to shed a track, as the way the tank is driven, the type of track, and the terrain can all affect the retention of the tracks. A lot of people on here run tanks hard in battle and use plastic tracks, as they are more forgiving and come off less often. I have aftermarket metal tracks for realism, but they cause a lot of problems. Stock Heng Long tracks are lighter, but not very realistic. All Heng Long have pretty much the same electronics, motors and gear box. Just do not buy one with a plastic gearbox. Plastic do strip the final drive. The models are adequate for what they are, and in my experience all are reliable.

You have to remember that these are essentially aimed at the toy market. If you want a detailed scale model which performs buy a Tamiya.

The differences in price are explained in the information, but with Motion RC it usually comes down to one having plastic running gear and one has metal running gear. I have know experience with Heng Long WW2 tanks, as my interest is in modern tanks, they may have started out as basic Heng Long but they have all been modified with upgraded parts and running gear. The only one which is stock out of the box is the T72, and it does what I ask of it. The best advice would be pick the model you like the look of as they will all perform similar. You will need to learn how to repair and replace parts as and when they wear out or brake which ever one you purchase..