Deathwing Posted May 15, 2021 Share Posted May 15, 2021 Sorry for the "noob" questions as a new FV432 owner! I anticipated it would not be great on the paving stones and indeed it is gradually turning my driveway to the left. Short of moving my house to the left side of the driveway I am considering what to install once the current driveway has given up the ghost. My neighbour suggested concrete on the grounds that gravel isn't great for tracks, resin gets chewed up, paving stones break and tarmac might be too soft in summer heat. Would concrete be the best surface to drive over without causing it much in the way of damage? There's a slight turn on the driveway to traverse, if that makes any difference to the answer. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryb Posted May 16, 2021 Share Posted May 16, 2021 yes 6" with mesh reinforcement, slight runoff so no stagnant water pooling, and if your driveway is level, smooth finish to save on trackpad wear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathwing Posted May 16, 2021 Author Share Posted May 16, 2021 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMP-Phil Posted May 16, 2021 Share Posted May 16, 2021 Hi If you go with concrete be sure you let it cure fully before you drive anything heavy. Cure time depending on mix and temperature will be in the 28 day range. Cheers Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terra1936 Posted May 16, 2021 Share Posted May 16, 2021 Use rebar not mesh. Have a footing at the transition area. 30K plus can be a problem over time if not prepped right. When cured wet drive way in the turn area will be better for your pads and maybe a little quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathwing Posted May 17, 2021 Author Share Posted May 17, 2021 Rebar it will be! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teletech Posted May 19, 2021 Share Posted May 19, 2021 There now exist driveways made of recycled rubber. It would be gentle on the track pads but I've no idea how it would take the weight. Might be worth contacting a contractor who does that sort of work and see if they can speak to that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathwing Posted May 20, 2021 Author Share Posted May 20, 2021 I have asked the concrete driveway people to come down and quote. I also asked them about a concrete barrier to go in front of the tank stopping place, in case of engine runaway. Would something like this work or would a runaway tank just climb it? https://safefence.co.uk/concrete-jersey-barrier.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkZiFBhD9ARIsAGxFX8By3KCyYMxb4jjXoLHmKhHqHcflQbu8_P67KIwuUdEa9ZN1q4aJVpEaAthBEALw_wcB Or am I worrying too much about engine runaway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terra1936 Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 I have not heard of many runaways. If its going to happen, probably not in your driveway. The K rail would not work for tracked. They are usually around 6K pounds for a 20 foot stick. You could pour a 4 to 6 foot wide wedge that would fit between tracks and lift hull and tracks off ground. Still have to shut down engine. The ramp would have to be long and high enough to lift majority of track to keep it from moving forward. I would not worry as long as you keep good service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deathwing Posted May 20, 2021 Author Share Posted May 20, 2021 (edited) 4 hours ago, Terra1936 said: There now exist driveways made of recycled rubber. It would be gentle on the track pads but I've no idea how it would take the weight. Might be worth contacting a contractor who does that sort of work and see if they can speak to that. I called up a rubber driveway company just out of curiosity but they said the surfaces won't take tracked vehicles, especially not 15 tonnes. If only I could put the FV432 on a diet... Thanks for the reassurance re runaway. I will keep it well serviced! Edited May 20, 2021 by Deathwing I quoted wrong post in reply 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted May 20, 2021 Share Posted May 20, 2021 8 hours ago, Deathwing said: I called up a rubber driveway company just out of curiosity but they said the surfaces won't take tracked vehicles, especially not 15 tonnes. If only I could put the FV432 on a diet... Just for interest, the ground pressure of a FV432 is 11 pounds per square inch, the ground pressure of an average adult is 16 pounds per square inch. However, I can see a problem with a rubber surface and rubber padded tracks in that they would create a lot of resistance and probably tear the surface up if you had to slew the vehicle, even slightly. Concrete is the only solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Hall Posted May 22, 2021 Share Posted May 22, 2021 A friend of mine had a rubber drive way, a removals truck did a reverse turn on his drive and the tandem axle rear wheels just ripped the top off like a sheet. The truck did a runner but a neighbour got evidence. He’s now had it concreted!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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