This robot can be configured many different ways to suit your needs. Read this entire write-up to help you choose the correct options located at the bottom of this page. After selecting the options you can click the update price to see the adjusted price with your chosen options. The minimum recommended options are already chosen below and reflected in the adjusted price. Click here for a datasheet of the HD2 Treaded robot with custom control and camera options.

It's a tank, so we built it like one; We support the wheels with inner and outer race sealed ball bearings (the wheels are NOT cantilevered or direct driven from the gear motor shaft). The wheels are driven with powerful IG52 gear motors with heavy duty #35 chain. The chassis is made from aircraft grade aluminum. The design uses all laser cut parts with mortise and tenon design for precise alignment and mating of the parts. The frame is ribbed and gusseted making it very rigid. We weld all the aluminum together using TIG and MIG for a solid chassis. The robot is enclosed and can be sealed making it water tight. The treads and four powerful motors allow this robot to ascend and descend stairs. We have designed this robot to be as simple as possible without compromising its strength, durability, or functionality. You can view videos of the Treaded ATR on our support page.

The robot is completely symmetric and invertible. The robot can be driven by a simple RC system, one of our custom controllers, or a PC (such as a portable laptop as pictured to the left). Contact us for providing a custom control solution. See our Military and Law Enforcement page for some custom control solutions we have provided.

The robot has the ability to climb stairs and go over most terrain. We have revised this tank since it was first release. The standard tank is now 2" wider to accommodate all our motor options. It is now about 38 inches long and 20 inches wide by about 9 1/2" high (tread height). There is a very large center cavity for batteries, electronics, cameras, computers, etc. The motors are half inside the tread and protrude into the center cavity. The bottom cover is flanged and all the holes are laser cut and then hand tapped for a perfect fit and seal. The robot is currently geared with a 1:3 reduction (gear motor to drive wheels). Custom gearing can be requested. The OD of the wheels with the tread is about 9.4 inches, so with the recommended Type 02 IG52 290 RPM motors ground speed is about 4 ft/sec.

Standard Items:

Standard Items that come with this kit are as follows:

• Welded Aluminum Base for 52mm Motors (qty 1)

• Two Cleated Treads with 4 matched wheels (Qty 2)

• Custom machined tread rollers/idlers.

• Tread Tensioning Blocks

• Electric Motor Hookup Kit - TE-024-000 (Qty 4)

• Electric Power Hookup parts (Wire, fuses, switch, connectors, etc.)

• All necessary hardware, bearings, chains, sprockets, etc.

Gear Motor Options:

Different gear motors can be selected in the options section. The robot weighs around 60 pounds without batteries, etc. Its capable of carrying another 40+ lbs. With four 4000mAHr NiMH batteries, the robot handles additional weight without issues (see a video of it carrying a 50lb weight up stairs, etc). The robot itself is designed to carry even more weight, but since its skid steering, turning in deep grass, carpet etc will be difficult with very heavy loads. You should opt for the Type 02 IG52 103 RPM motors or the Type 04 IG52 285 RPM motors if you are going to load it up to more the 100 lbs gross weight. If desired the tank can be run with only two Type 02 IG52 103 RPM motors or two Type 04 IG52 285 RPM motors and let the other two wheels idle. With only two Type 02 IG52 103 RPM motors it runs great, plus it carried an additional 60 lbs up stairs with no effort. With two Type 04 IG52 285 RPM motors the robot works well and still runs full speed. It had a little difficulty doing pivot turns in deep grass. We have also tested the HD2 configured with four Type 02 IG52 103 RPM motors and it was virtually unstoppable; Check out our new videos including one where the HD2 pulls a F250 Super Duty Truck! We now offer IG52 gear motors with encoders. If you plan on using encoders, only one set of the motors need encoders since the wheels are tied together by the cleated belts they will stay synchronized. Below is a table to help you select motors.

Battery Options:

For the motor batteries, you can choice from 2 or 4 4500mAHr battery packs. We also offer 10000mAhr batteries too. You can use 1 or 2 packs. You can also opt to put your own batteries in the robot too. The NiMH batteries can be run in parallel, but should be charged individually. See schematic for recommended wiring. So for easier/faster charging, its best to use the larger 10000mAhr packs. Don't forget to get your battery chargers either.

• 24V 4500 mAHr NiMH Battery Pack - TE-099-220 (Qty 2 or 4)

• 24V 10000 mAHr NiMH Battery Pack - TE-097-320 (Qty 1-2)

Power Distribution and Current Monitoring Board Option:

We offer a power distribution board for the 24VDC system. This board allows you to switch between batteries with TTL signals and monitors your current. See item for more detail. This is intended for two 10000mAhr batteries, but could also be used with the 4500Ahr batteries.

• 24VDC Power Distribution and Current Monitor - TE-096-000 (Qty 1)

Battery Mount Options:

Motor Controller Options:

For the motor controllers, you can choice either of these options. The MD03 is a single channel so you need 2 (one per side). The Sabertooth is only rated for 30V max. NiMH batteries will charge to around 30V so you would be at the very limit of these controllers. The Sabertooth would be fine for standard use, but for heavy use, best bet is the MD03 controllers.

• Sabertooth Dual 25A Motor Driver - TE-091-225 (Qty 1)

• MD03 Devantech 20A 50V Motor Driver - TE-036-000 (Qty 2)

Tread Options:

The multi-ply treads have an aggressive black rubber all-terrain 4" wide pattern. The treads come standard with internal cleats every 3 inches. These are hand attached in a CNC Machined jig we have. If you desire there is an option for internal cleats every 1.5" which yield better strength and tracking. Either way we assemble the treads for you, so all you have to do is put it around the wheels and tighten it. If you order the robot assembled we will put them on the robot, tighten and align them too. We offer two different tread slicing methods. See the table below.

The standard tread uses an alligator type splice that is very common for conveyor belts, etc. and is very strong and reliable for most applications. We will put the splice together for you so that the timed internal cleats are spaced properly.	For applications that are more severe, we get the belts factory made continuous. We then fasten the cleats on them. This splice is much stronger and involves overlapping the multiple layers of the tread and bonding them together. The overlap is about 6" and is further reinforced with the cleats screwing them.
Typical Alligator Type Splice	Typical continuous Splice	Typical continuous Splice prior to internal Cleats being fastened.

HD2 Chassis Width:

The Standard Chassis is ~20inches wide (to outer edge of side plate gussets). We also offer a chassis that is 6 inches wider (~26inches wide). The Standard Chassis is much better suited for fitting trough doors, etc, but if you have a lot of equipment you need to mount on or in the chassis a wider frame can be used. The picture on the right shows two standard width chassis and two wide chassis.

Assembly Options:

When you purchase this kit you will get access to our assembly manual that contains color images and step by step instructions, or you can opt for us to assemble it for you.

Additional Information:

We build these kits as they are ordered. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipment. This is a very large and heavy package. The price includes building a custom wooden shipping crate. The shipping costs will be calculated upon checkout, the robot and crate weigh in excess of 75lbs.

This kit does not include a microcontroller, sensors, or RC unit. See our Treaded HD2 Support Page and our ATR Robot Building Page for options and links to our controllers, sensors, and controller batteries. Don't forget to get your battery chargers either.