JohnRobHolmes | 12-30-2007 03:53 PM | Just how beefy is the AX-10 drivetrain? Tractor pull! 1 Attachment(s) Today the LHS had a pulling "event" in the store, so I decided to test out the old axial rig to see how it would handle some load. It is basically a stock build, stock gearing, and I compressed the rear shocks down fully with zip ties. I also used stock TLT tires and rims filled to the brim with BB's. Motor was a 5t Cobalt Puller (zero timing), Mamba Max, and 7 matched cell GP 3700. I was a bit worried, since the motor has a ton of power. What would give first? My guess was the stampede driveshafts, and then maybe a locker or middle gear in the tranny.
Vehicle weight was just under 9 pounds with the BB's, and I pulled 45 pounds on the sled as I had it set up (full pull). I didn't have enough traction in the rear though, so I added a 5 pound weight on the rear axle.
Problem solved and I now pulled 65 pounds. Once I got near the end of the pull the truck started to hop and the rear driveshaft popped. No biggie, I slapped on another driveshaft with a Pede yoke instead of the older axial yoke.
The next pull was almost a full pull, but this time the rear axle stopped turning when the rig hopped. I was sure the rear diff was toast. Not so, the set screw on the pede yoke was loose. Very odd, I know I tightened it hard. Turns out the diff pinion ate away the set screw!
Once again I tightened the set screw and then added another 5 pounds to the rig, this time on the front axle. Now the rig was almost 20 solid pounds, should have no hop :lol: 65 pounds was a breeze, it was a full pull.
Now I decided to go for broke and pull all of the weight we had, which turned out to be 95 pounds. For sure something would give. It took off fast and kept on chugging. Once I got to the carpet transition where the hopping started, the rig bounced a few times and ate the set screw off the pede yoke again :x Nothing spectacular! I was certain something else would have broken.
Motor never temped over 100 on the comm, ESC and battery didn't even warm up. Room temp was about 72. I would say the Axial drivetrain is as stout as can be!
Axial gets two thumbs up from me! Now I gotta find some way to put more load on it. Next time we pull I will get some vid, and get a metal driveshaft on the back end so I can really test the strength of the diffs and tranny. |