Preferred metal track for 1/16 scale modern MBT

[keilau]

Hello,

Sorry for the late reply, we are on vacation now.

This is a double pins track, and the pins are completely closed, the material is (aluminum) alloy.

Sincerely,

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th00958-dzn1?_pos=1&_sid=6f8b6e367&_ss=r

My favorite metal track for modern MBT is the Tamiya hybrid original track, cheap and readily available. I saw this new track from Can Shou which sounds very appealing. I will be ordering one to see its quality. But I do not drive my tank really hard. It would be wonderful to see a review of this track by the hard driving tankers.

Bless NATO, they make the track standard for Abrams, Challenger2 and Leo2A6.

[Rubicon99]

https://www.toucanhobby.com/products/th00958-dzn1?_pos=1&_sid=6f8b6e367&_ss=r

My favorite metal track for modern MBT is the Tamiya hybrid original track, cheap and readily available. I saw this new track from Can Shou which sounds very appealing. I will be ordering one to see its quality. But I do not drive my tank really hard. It would be wonderful to see a review of this track by the hard driving tankers.

Bless NATO, they make the track standard for Abrams, Challenger2 and Leo2A6.

It's is sold under a few other names. DKLM and Toucan sell this track under their names. I have several sets of it and have run it very very hard. It is good tough track overall. It has a few issues that may or may not be a problem for some people.

This first issue is the track guide teeth are a little short in height and as such do not hold as well against the sprocket track retaining rings as they could like taller like the Tamiya guides. So detracting at the sprockets can be more common then with Tamiya tracks.

The second issue is the rubber used on the pads. It is soft and has a high coefficient of friction when used on hard packed surfaces or concrete/asphalt. It grips so well it actually can cause the tracks to pull off the idler and road wheels in a turn on the above surfaces. Tamiya uses a harder rubber compound and this greatly reduces the coefficient of friction so the "pulling off" issue is not a big of problem.

Lastly the track is heavy and needs to be used with at least 390 motor upgrades if you want to turn with any authority.

I have largely pulled this type of tracks "out of service" as the Tamiya tracks are functionally superior in every aspect.

[keilau]

It's is sold under a few other names. DKLM and Toucan sell this track under their names. I have several sets of it and have run it very very hard. It is good tough track overall. It has a few issues that may or may not be a problem for some people.

This first issue is the track guide teeth are a little short in height and as such do not hold as well against the sprocket track retaining rings as they could like taller like the Tamiya guides. So detracting at the sprockets can be more common then with Tamiya tracks.

The second issue is the rubber used on the pads. It is soft and has a high coefficient of friction when used on hard packed surfaces or concrete/asphalt. It grips so well it actually can cause the tracks to pull off the idler and road wheels in a turn on the above surfaces. Tamiya uses a harder rubber compound and this greatly reduces the coefficient of friction so the "pulling off" issue is not a big of problem.

Lastly the track is heavy and needs to be used with at least 390 motor upgrades if you want to turn with any authority.

I have largely pulled this type of tracks "out of service" as the Tamiya tracks are functionally superior in every aspect.

Rubicon99 , thank you for taking the time to write this long review on the track. Judging from the $400+ price of the Tamiya metal track, I am not sure how much longer the Tamiya original hybrid track will continue to be available at the current under $100 price.

I have 2 Tamiya original hybrid tracks for the Leo2 and Challenger2. I am looking for a 3rd pair for the TD M60 track upgrade. Are you interested in selling any of your "pulled out of service" tracks?

[Rubicon99]

Rubicon99 , thank you for taking the time to write this long review on the track. Judging from the $400+ price of the Tamiya metal track, I am not sure how much longer the Tamiya original hybrid track will continue to be available at the current under $100 price.

I have 2 Tamiya original hybrid tracks for the Leo2 and Challenger2. I am looking for a 3rd pair for the TD M60 track upgrade. Are you interested in selling any of your "pulled out of service" tracks?

I have stocked up on Tamiya Leopard 2 and Abrams tracks having grabbed some crazy deals on both recently from people selling off Tamiya "take off" tracks cheap. I have two relatively new sets of both types on top of the prior spares bought a year ago.

Even still my "out of service" tracks are heavily worn and look it and I am not comfortable selling them in their current condition. They are really only useful as cosmetic accessory parts for mounting on hulls and turrets as "spare" links.

[keilau]

I have stocked up on Tamiya Leopard 2 and Abrams tracks having grabbed some crazy deals on both recently from people selling off Tamiya "take off" tracks cheap. I have two relatively new sets of both types on top of the prior spares bought a year ago.

Even still my "out of service" tracks are heavily worn and look it and I am not comfortable selling them in their current condition. They are really only useful as cosmetic accessory parts for mounting on hulls and turrets as "spare" links.

Fully understand. I can still get the RC original track from Tamiya US Store, but quite a bit more than from AAF store.

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/7-digit-spare-parts/rc-tracks-assy-5604136212/

I may give the Can Shou track a try. Just that I am always a sucker for trying something different and the lower price is a nice bonus.

[Handy Lance]

Fully understand. I can still get the RC original track from Tamiya US Store, but quite a bit more than from AAF store.

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/7-digit-spare-parts/rc-tracks-assy-5604136212/

I may give the Can Shou track a try. Just that I am always a sucker for trying something different and the lower price is a nice bonus.

This link is for Abrams Tamiya metal tracks for 133$ that seems like a good deal?
There is no pic. I’m thinking of getting a set.

[keilau]

This link is for Abrams Tamiya metal tracks for 133$ that seems like a good deal?
There is no pic. I’m thinking of getting a set.

Yes, it is a reasonalably priced Tamiya track. I have not been able to find better price recenly. Some ebay sellers want much higher price.

For many years, I was able to get the tracks from AAF Tank Museum PX for well under $100, but AAF closed earlier last year.

https://shop.aaftankmuseum.com/

[Rubicon99]

This link is for Abrams Tamiya metal tracks for 133$ that seems like a good deal?
There is no pic. I’m thinking of getting a set.

It's $133 per side so $266 for a complete set.

[keilau]

It's $133 per side so $266 for a complete set.

ITEM# 8080384 RC TRACKS ASSY: 56041/36212

MSRP: $133.00

The description is in plural. But it may mean nothing. I will not order until getting a clarification from Tamiya US Store. The upgrade metal part listing seems a little more explicit. Again, ask before ordering.

https://www.tamiyausa.com/shop/116-tank/rc-die-cast-metal-tracks/

[Rubicon99]

The description is in plural. But it may mean nothing. I will not order until getting a clarification from Tamiya US Store.

I found out the hard way with the Abrams tracks. That's why I always tell people it is an expensive option and direct them towards Leopard 2 tracks which used to be sold as a set for around $100.

[Handy Lance]

It's $133 per side so $266 for a complete set.

I believe you

I have Tamiya cars

[sclui56]

I inquired about these at Tamiya back in 2021 and this is what I was told, hence I went ahead and bought the Leo ones from AAF per Rubicon's suggestion:

[keilau]

I inquired about these at Tamiya back in 2021 and this is what I was told, hence I went ahead and bought the Leo ones from AAF per Rubicon's suggestion:

I missed the AAF Tank Museum PX Shop. The ladies there, Natasha and Karen, were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable too. In the early 2000, the Danville, VA RC tank battle ground was the biggest on this side of Atlanta. Lacking a reasonable price source, it is unlikely for me to acquire more Tamiya tracks. The $80 Metal Tracks W/ Fixed Rubber is my low cost option.

It's is sold under a few other names. DKLM and Toucan sell this track under their names. I have several sets of it and have run it very very hard. It is good tough track overall. It has a few issues that may or may not be a problem for some people.

This first issue is the track guide teeth are a little short in height and as such do not hold as well against the sprocket track retaining rings as they could like taller like the Tamiya guides. So detracting at the sprockets can be more common then with Tamiya tracks.

The second issue is the rubber used on the pads. It is soft and has a high coefficient of friction when used on hard packed surfaces or concrete/asphalt. It grips so well it actually can cause the tracks to pull off the idler and road wheels in a turn on the above surfaces. Tamiya uses a harder rubber compound and this greatly reduces the coefficient of friction so the "pulling off" issue is not a big of problem.

Lastly the track is heavy and needs to be used with at least 390 motor upgrades if you want to turn with any authority.

I have largely pulled this type of tracks "out of service" as the Tamiya tracks are functionally superior in every aspect.

[keilau]

After a 2 years debate, I finally decided on the Heng Long Challenger 2 for my first UK RC tank model. It is a post cold war era MBT so I expected the metal upgrades to be similar to the Leopard and Abrams. The upgrades include ball bearing steel gearbox, sprocket and idealer wheel, metal tracks, drive motor shaft bearing, stronger suspension coil spring plus a high capacity lithium ion battery and 2.5" speaker. All pretty routine items.

My favorite gearbox is the Heng Xin with 390 motor. To my disappointment, The Heng Xin gearbox cannot be mounted with 390 motors because the Challenger2 chassis is 0.5 inch narrower than the Leo and Abrams. I use the Taigen/Torro black 380 for now.

I found a paired Tamiya track set package at ttpmodels.com in England. The shipping is cheap and quite fast.

[cleong]

I run Tamiya Leopard 2 tracks on my Heng Long Challenger 2 but I was advised to get sprockets that were designed to be compatible with Tamiya tracks, which was what I did.

[keilau]

I run Tamiya Leopard 2 tracks on my Heng Long Challenger 2 but I was advised to get sprockets that were designed to be compatible with Tamiya tracks, which was what I did.

Tamiya is the grand daddy of 1/16 scale RC tank. Heng Long, Mato, Taigen/Torro are all careful in following the Tamiya scale. I have 3 sets of Tamiya tracks and they all fit perfectly on Heng Long tanks. Some with Mato sprocket.

The only exception is the Tongde brand. Their track width and pitch are both off. To use the Tamiya tracks on my TD M60A1, I have to change to the HL dual current drive system and use the HL Abrams sprocket. I learnt this from Rubicon99 . It works, but it is the main reason I stopped buying Tongde. Tongde use very soft metal on their case of the TD steel gearbox resulted in unsecured mounting and added to the switching to HL dual current drive system decision.

[tank_me]

Tamiya is the grand daddy of 1/16 scale RC tank. Heng Long, Mato, Taigen/Torro are all careful in following the Tamiya scale. I have 3 sets of Tamiya tracks and they all fit perfectly on Heng Long tanks. Some with Mato sprocket.

The only exception is the Tongde brand. Their track width and pitch are both off. To use the Tamiya tracks on my TD M60A1, I have to change to the HL dual current drive system and use the HL Abrams sprocket. I learnt this from Rubicon99 . It works, but it is the main reason I stopped buying Tongde. Tongde use very soft metal on their case of the TD steel gearbox resulted in unsecured mounting and added to the switching to HL dual current drive system decision.

While I do like the dual diff gearboxes and use them in like 6 of my tanks, the M60A2 I finally have battling has battled on the regular metal Tongde gearboxes just fine. I did create some braces that wedge between the gearboxes enclosures that doesn't allow them to move in toward the centerline of the tank. They are just sheet plastic "mistakes" from my 3D printer made out of ASA and glued together. Each one is just friction fit and easily removed for maintenance. It takes all the stress off of those side mounting screws.