Heng Long 3909 Russian T-34/85 metal upgrade conclusion

[keilau]

I purchased a plastic version of Heng Long T-34/85 with the intension to do my own metal upgrade. While the HL metal version works ok and is robust, but it left a lot to be desired in appearance. For example, the open pin design of the HL metal track looks very bad to me.

The HL T-34 comes with metal swing arms, but weak suspension spring that was designed for the HL plastic track. The word BALANCE means proper and even tension of the track to make it look good and run well on rough ground. My metal upgrade include Heng Xin gearbox, 390 motor, Torro metal track and Mato sprocket and idler.

The Torro metal track is slightly shorter than the HL plastic track. As a result, it pulls up the first and last road wheel off the ground. I added 2 pieces of track and it turns out to be too long with too much shacking.

I removed the extra links and went back to the original Torro length. Then the weight balance I described earlier. The T-34 looks ok and runs well. I still have to fine tune the track tension.

My latest T-34/85 metal upgrade: Mato metal road wheel set

Of the 2 Russian T-34/85 metal road wheel set on the market, I prefer this Mato one based on past experience. The cast is crisp and well defined. It comes with rubber tires making it easy to remove for painting the wheels. Each wheel comes with 2 ball bearings of 5mm ID. The HL suspension arm axle is 4mm OD. Mato have a copper sleeve insert which works better than direct bearing to axle insert. Alignment of the wheels are excellent making very smooth operation. The wheels add 1pound 3oz to the RC tank weight. I am able to remove 17 ounces of the dry weights to the T-34 after installing the metal wheels. A few ounces of the weight was left at the front of the T34 to offer balance to the heavy Heng Xin gearbox. I keep the T34 metal upgrade weight at 8 pounds 2 ounces. At this weight, the HL suspension spring is ok as is.

[keilau]

My latest T-34/85 metal upgrade: Mato metal road wheel set

Of the 2 Russian T-34/85 metal road wheel set on the market, I prefer this Mato one based on past experience. The cast is crisp and well defined. It comes with rubber tires making it easy to remove for painting the wheels. Each wheel comes with 2 ball bearings of 5mm ID. The HL suspension arm axle is 4mm OD. Mato have a copper sleeve insert which works better than direct bearing to axle insert. Alignment of the wheels are excellent making very smooth operation. The wheels add 1pound 3oz to the RC tank weight. I am able to remove 17 ounces of the dry weights to the T-34 after installing the metal wheels. A few ounces of the weight was left at the front of the T34 to offer balance to the heavy Heng Xin gearbox. I keep the T34 metal upgrade weight at 8 pounds 2 ounces. At this weight, the HL suspension spring is ok as is.

The suspension spring on the HL T34 feels much stronger than the coil spring on the HL Leo2A6. Even so, you can see in the last picture above (T34 with metal road wheels and 2 pounds of dry weights) that the T34 sits low and tills toward the front.

The next 5 pictures show the effect of removing 17 ounces of the dry weights to the T-34 after installing the metal wheels. It restores the balance and lift the tank to original height.