Two wheel drive vs. four wheel drive

Hey, I am currently thinking about making a 15 lb. beater. I am going to use two motors with either one Colson wheel or bane bot wheel attached to each motor. Also note that the drive train is going to be staggered meaning that there will be one motor in the front and one motor in the back. Also, the wheels and motors are going to be on the inside of the robot so that is why i am doing a staggered configuration. My question is do you think it would make more sense to just use two wheels or should I do 4 wheel drive using pulleys and belts. I really need help on this one!

Thanks,
JP

Hey JP,
In my opinion i'd go with 4 wheel because u have the pulleys there any wayz due to the fact of staggered drive


And another thing you may consider is the idea of 6 wheel drive. not to often use but it seems to work for Sewer Snake by team plumb crazy robotics which would still allow staggered drive

I agree! 4 wheel drive keeps all the weight on wheels, giving you more traction. 2 wheels and skids only puts some of the weight on the wheels, sometimes less than half.

4 wheel beaters are alot easier to drive

I have seen two wheels staggered (i.e. no belts, just wheels on the gearbox shafts) drive just fine, even though it would seem to present some weird sort of spinning motion (it just doesn't, don't ask me why). If weight and/or space is critical, then this might be the best way to go.

However, any non-driven contact with the floor reduces traction on the driven contact (think about weight distribution). So two wheel drive cannot out-push 4 wheel drive, all else being equal. If winning a pushing match is critical, then 4-wheel-drive is key.

I also think 4 wheel drive robots turn easier and are generally more responsive. Which may be the most important issue.

In my opinion, and I think most folks here would agree, ultimately control is the most important factor in winning matches. So I say go with 4 wheel (or 6, or 8 for that matter) wheel drive, just make sure everything that touches the ground is powered.