ForeverBrunswickGreen Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 Why did the Germans go down this route? I know the many advantages of rear drive sprockets, but what are the advantages of having them at the front? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Nick Johns Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) Why did the Germans go down this route? I know the many advantages of rear drive sprockets, but what are the advantages of having them at the front? Not only the Germans but America thought the same as ww2 American tanks were front driven, engine at the rear, g/box /final drive at the front, presumably better weight distribution and easier maintenance just some of the advantages, the British seemed to favour the rear driven sprocket layout Edited December 13, 2013 by Nick Johns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 David Herbert Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 The big advantage of front drive on tanks is that the mud, stones etc picked up by the inside of the track when turning has virtually all fallen off by the time it gets to the front of the vehicle, so sprocket wear is much reduced and it is that bit harder for the track to be forced sideways off the sprocket which can happen with rear drive if it gets enough rubbish caught up in it. With relatively lightly armoured vehicles the extra bulk of the transmission at the front was a small increase in protection and also having the transmission at the front ment that the controls were usually more direct and adjustments easier to get to. Tanks have tended to have all their automotive components at the rear (and so the sprockets) since it was found that having the turret relatively far forward ment that the gun could depress more and less tank was exposed if one was coming out of a hollow in the ground. Not having a drive shaft connecting a rear engine to a front transmission ment that the whole tank could be lower and not having any automotive bits in the crew area made it a bit quieter and reduced fire hazard. However things like APCs, command vehicles, and self propelled guns need the rear half of the vehicle to be free of automotive components so they are still almost universaly front engined and front drive. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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ForeverBrunswickGreen
Why did the Germans go down this route? I know the many advantages of rear drive sprockets, but what are the advantages of having them at the front?
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