pehter aka ibbe

Sure is fun to drive in snow but FG have not planned for snow driving. After the first run I discovered some things that needs improvement.

First the servo/radio plate, alot of snow there. Some thin aluminum and duck tape solved that.

Second the air filter get covered with snow that melts, problem to get the Zenoah running at all in the end. A off-road air box (FG # 6464) solved that, needed a bit of carving to make it fit because of the roll cage.

Third and biggest problem, the carburetor get covered with ice after a while. That ice get stuck to the idle screw, result is that the throttle sometimes get stuck on half. I have not come up with something yet.

Fourth my toes freezes, more socks helps a bit.

If I find some suitable chain I might try to build some snow chains, runs more sideways than straight.

mbba2002

My Feedback: (10)

I drive My cuctom 4x4 MT all year long and never have the problems like you are having in the winter. I do add chains in the winter to get more traction. I can go threw 6" + snow no problems.

rfaster

My Feedback: (1)

I want to see some FG Snow PicS! - Post.

pehter aka ibbe

mbbaj2001:
I think yours have higher groundclearence then my MB.

rfaster:
Next time I will try to take some pictures, in the meantime perhaps you are satisfied with a picture of snow chains. I have two more to make.

mbba2002

My Feedback: (10)

You only have 2wd.Putting chains on the front won't help.

mnf1sand

but it will look cool

rfaster

My Feedback: (1)

pehter - I want to see it burried in a snow drift :-)... And good point about only needing 2 of the chains... it means you can shoot me the other 2 you made.

pehter aka ibbe

Going out tomorrow for test driving, hopefully some pictures then.

Regarding chains for the front wheel it is because I want more traction and weight in front, otherwise the front wheels will just slide forward instead of turning. (and ya it will look cool too)

Have been plowing snow many years with a 2WD tractor and snow chains, going straight in deep snow is no problem but when you are going to turn it can be a little bit tricky.

amitysanimal

The chains are cool, i put them on my New Era Dune Digger I had. It snapped the belt in about 30 seconds. Just be careful, they are VERY hard on the drive train. With that much space between the cross-links, it puts a LOT of force on the drivetrain. It allows the tires to spin and then it catches on the cross link, then spins until it hits the next cross link. Cross links are the chain that goes over the tread. Not sure if this explanation is very clear.

I am not trying to talk you out of it, just giving you a heads up. I worked in the woods for years and we always used the rings chains so there was chain touching the ground at all times so there isn't a chance for it to spin then catch on the chain. You might find that putting more cross links in will help, less space between them will be less slip and less force on the drivetrain.

Again, I'm not trying to say don't do it or anything, just trying to give you a heads up.

amitysanimal

CowboyBob

When I get ready to run my MB in the snow/ice this winter I'm going to buy a set of the hard compound monster tires and wheels and screw three tiny pan-head screws into each tread lug. That way it'll be just like an actual studded snow tire and I won't have to worry about the excess slack and weight of snow chains flapping around at high rpm's. You might want to try this if the chains don't work out for you. After the snow/ice melts, simply remove your "winter" tires and switch back to the regular ones.

rcpro-123

My Feedback: (2)

pic plz

mbba2002

My Feedback: (10)

Change your belt drive to 25 pitch chain drive on you New Era dune buggy and your problem will be solved. I use chain drive on my dune buggy.

amitysanimal

I sold the Dune Digger, i didn't like it. All it did was spin out and had terribly stiff suspension, didn't turn very sharp. I just wasn't impressed with it.

amitysanimal

pehter aka ibbe

The chains works fine, gets alot of more grip. 10-15 cm of snow was no problem but not much more than that, otherwise it hangs on the chassi and just spins.
I still have problem with snow get stuffed into the air filter and choking the engine, need to make something up. No one else driving in the snow?
The snow is melting now so no more snowdriving for a while.


amitysanimal:
Yes O-ring chains are better but I gave up that idea when I started to make the chains, it was enough work to do them. The slip is minimal because there are at least one cross link between the snow and the tire at all time. You don't need to drive very fast to have the chains lifting from the tire and then the cross links touches the snow about 1-2 cm before the tire.

CowboyBob:
Works great on ice not have no/little effect on snow and the chains did work

I couldn't take any pictures while I drove it so you have to settle with a poser.

dazzahughesuk

That look wicked.

how about some powerslides in that loverly snow...you know you want to

amitysanimal

Have you seen the air-filter cover on the Duratrax Fiehammer? It looks like an aluminum soup can covering the filter. I would think that would help keep the snow from clogging the filter.

As far as the chain goes, the snow wouldn't be hard enough to cause damage, I wasn't thinking clearly I guess. When I ran my chains, I was running on sand.

amitysanimal

rfaster

My Feedback: (1)

The duratrax one looks just like the one in the paper instructions that come with the FG upgd air-filter - the one that now comes std on MB's MT's etc... Was wondering where to get one - if and when Tower starts selling Fire parts I'll pick one up.

pehter aka ibbe

I already have an air filter cover or as FG calls it: offroad airbox
http://www.rc-car-online.de/fg_filter_or_eng.htm

When I removed the box the filter inside was totaly covered with snow and the filter was soaked. I think that the chains kick up snow just where the air sucks in.
I was thinking of some sort of tube leading from the front to the air box.

dazzahughesuk

Creating a cold air feed

p113

just 1 of my mad ideas

drill a hole in the cooling fan caseing 4 the engine attact a pipe to it get some air filter foam and stuff that in the pipe somwhere, take off the air filter completly and run the pipe straight into the carb air should blow up the pipe (in theary) u could be lucky and have it act like a turbo or u could get nothing in fact i might try it

p113

p113

PM me if u do it or if it works

RCholic

I uses "studs" instead of chains and on my 1/10... had great results! I tried the chains but could never get them quit tight enough. always loosened up eventually.
This is my second set of studs... I don't have a MB/MT YET BUT they would look/BE KILLER with these...[>:]

My MCD Hummer doesnt need chains OR studs being 4WD... that thing HULLS through the snow!

drago

cool idea i did that to my landmax. POOR POOR grass

aicecoldone

why won't chains work its not just to help get going it will help you turn alot easier thats why normal two wheel drive trucks use chains on all four

RabidRacer

heres a tip. I saw and offroad truck(full size) with its air filter mountes about 3 feet above the cars hood. If you took some pipe and mounted it up like a foot it would help and not alow the snow to get way up there. But be careful not to roll it because it would probably break off the carb if its on realy tight. let me know if this works.