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I'm thinking of making a RC tank that should be simple as possible. But I'm not sure how to make proper steering for the tank. I googled about tank steering and found (for me) complex solutions as dual differential steering. Now, my question is - Is it possible to steere the tank with momentum? Idea for project is - Left motor will power left Wheele(tracks are too complicated to design), right motor will power right Wheele. Powered Wheele are at the back. So if I want to steere the tank to the left side, right motor will be on, left will be off. Does this method Works? Should right motor go forward but left go backward?

Here is the sketch. This is sketch for rotating/steering from place. I guess it will work fine, but what if tank moves forward/backward and wants to steere?

The sketch

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  • $\begingroup$ There are books on track technology... $\endgroup$
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Feb 5, 2019 at 17:28
  • $\begingroup$ @SolarMike How does these books help me for steering? $\endgroup$
    – Pararera
    Commented Feb 5, 2019 at 17:29
  • $\begingroup$ Ok, just a hint for your research... Will you combine driving one wheel with braking the other side? $\endgroup$
    – Solar Mike
    Commented Feb 5, 2019 at 17:31
  • $\begingroup$ @SolarMike Yes, if it will work. But that is for steering around Z axis, without moving the tank forward or backward. $\endgroup$
    – Pararera
    Commented Feb 5, 2019 at 17:32
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    $\begingroup$ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skid-steer_loader $\endgroup$
    – Pete W
    Commented Feb 20, 2022 at 4:22

1 Answer 1

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You want to either use swivel pivot on the front wheels like shopping cart front wheels, or place the CG of your toy near the rear end.

Or else the steering will not be very effective.

If you do that by applying different power to left or right rear wheels you get turned to right or left.

If you watch delivery fork lifts of say Home Depot, you see they can maneuver precisely into tight corner. Their front wheels are free to pivot. And back wheels are attached to a joy stick.

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  • $\begingroup$ What is CG? I don't understand that $\endgroup$
    – Pararera
    Commented Feb 5, 2019 at 19:42
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    $\begingroup$ @SilvioCro, CG is center of gravity. Means most the weight should be on the rear wheels. $\endgroup$
    – kamran
    Commented Feb 5, 2019 at 19:59
  • $\begingroup$ What if I put Powered wheeles in middle and one pair of wheeles at front and back of tank? So momentum goes around CG point, not offset point. With this way, it'll work while standing still, but will it while moving? I guess Sharp turning are impossible. $\endgroup$
    – Pararera
    Commented Feb 5, 2019 at 20:31

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