Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Why not remove the steel lugs and bolt on rubber strips?
The trouble with banding is that the diameter of your wheel is too big and you don't get traction.

I've cut baler belt and was easy to cut. If me, I'd have 2 layers, a base layer and strips for traction.

One outfit a few years ago sold rubber lugs.

This article has great suggestions:
https://www.redpowermagazine.com/forums/topic/89495-steel-wheel-rubber-tread/