Four wheel steer wagon

[wroughtn_harv]

I got my new welder. It weighs dry two hundred and seventy pounds. Then you add a hundred and sixty for the bottle of gas. Plus forty four for the wire. Heavy in a nutshell.

And you see there's this problem. Shop's for storing tools not working with them. The work area is full of projects and has a gravel floor.

The built in cart that comes with the welder is finer'n frog hair on a nice smooth concrete floor. I ain't got that. So I went down to TSC and picked up four of then four ninety nine pnuematic wheels and some four and a half inch by five eighths bolts.

A wagon style cart has one big disadvantage. You have to swing real wide to get around things. And in the work area I've got entirely too many things to get around for a conventional wagon style cart.

So I made it quick and simple four wheel steer.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

That rooster in the picture is Scrapper. He's a toot. He's a pet. One of these days I'm gonna snap a picture and post it here for ya'll to see the look he gets on his face when the lab starts giving him a tongue lashing.

Disgust, just plain old disgust, check out the wagon.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

You know if I had a cow I could probably tell ya'll a cock and bull story about my shop. But I don't so I won't. Another look at the other way to turn.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Now I know most of ya'll wouldn't do it quite this simple with just that bar between the axles to make it four wheel steer. And I could have done the thingy with the knuckles at each end where the axles stay in place and only the wheels turn. You know, the compound linkages and such. But I'm a simple sort. Sorta like this.

 

[Bird]

Looks like a neat idea, Harv, and I know you know a lot more about that sort of thing than I, but are you not worried about it turning over on the outside side of the turn when it has that much weight on it?

 

[wroughtn_harv]

<font color=blue>but are you not worried about it turning over on the outside side of the turn when it has that much weight on it?</font color=blue>

That is a concern. I have the welder on it now and have tried some tight turns. It hasn't acted like it wants to go over. But just in case, you see that regulator and tank neck could be damaged in a turnover, I'm building a double roll bar over the tank area. Safe than sorry one oh one in action.

I imagine I'll design a better one when there's time or it becomes urgent.

The design insn't original. I have a bud that's bonkers on cars. He's got a custom wagon for swap meeting that's a total gem with this design. I was so impressed with his I did a copy the very first chance I got. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Kodiak]

Thats what I was thinking also. Maybe a set of stabilizers. Actually Harv. I was half expecting something with hydraulic steering, you know articulated or maybe a mini skid steer. Yeah a mini skid steer with tracks. Or better yet an air cushion carryall platform. Ooops there I go again, my mind slipped out of gear and ran away with itself.

Have fun with the new toy. By the way what type did you get?

 

[CSAW]

The lumber yards around here use carts with swivel casters on each end and two stationary wheels in the center that are just a little bit lower. The cart sits on the two stationary wheels in the center and the casters on one end or the other. They are very maneuverable. Just a thought.

Not picking it looks very nice. But is the rod that runs between the axles strong enough for what I would call a right hand turn with a load on it. That would be when the rod has to push the rear axle to turn. Can't really see it that well.

By the way I just used your reese hitch mounting technique to make a stand for my newly acquired tubing bender. Works good when used with a TPH mounted hitch. Makes it adjustable up, dow, and tilt.

 

[Youare]

Nice looking wagon, that's a neat way of turning the rear wheels, nice and simple.

Looks like you have a few "crow bars" around the place too. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Randy

 

[beenthere]

Curious about this picture. Is it suppose to have the cart with the welder on it? Or is there something I am missing, and should be seeing besides the truck in the background and the fancy railing with scrollwork in the foreground. I was looking for a pic with the welder and tanks on the wagon. I like your idea, but was concerned about the tipping as was Bird. Sounds like you have that worked out tho, and its not a problem.

 

[bgott]

"The lumber yards around here use carts with swivel casters on each end and two stationary wheels in the center that are just a little bit lower. The cart sits on the two stationary wheels in the center and the casters on one end or the other. They are very maneuverable. Just a thought."

Like this?

 

[bgott]

That sounds like a nice welder. Once I get a secure shop on the place I'm in the process of buying I might think about getting one like it. I've really been inspired by your descriptions and pictures of your projects. You've got me thinking about building custom fences and gates rather than the usual ( around here, anyway) chain link. One question on that cart, though. Did you check it for bump steer?

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Morning Russ,

I'm not that fancy/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif. I like things that are trick but simple as possible. And there is a time factor in my life. The projects are everywhere.

<font color=blue>By the way what type did you get?</font color=blue>

A <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.panasonicfa.com/welding/power_sources/gunslinger_260.shtml>Panasonic</A>.

It was was one of them thar deals. Dealer had brought it in cause a customer. Then the customer backed out and everyone else was afraid of it cause it's a Panasonic and not a Miller or a Lincoln.

So the dealer dropped the price from eighteen hundred to twelve and everyone was still afraid of it. I looked at it careful like and realized two things. First thing was all the consumables were TWECO which is the most common. And two was if it was half the welder that my Panasonic was a cordless drill then it was the best.

Then the dealer's gate broke taking out an employee for six months. I was called. Dealer got his gate fixed big time. I got the welder.

I have had a Panasonic fifteen volt cordless drill for a couple of years now. I gave away an eighteen volt Makita kit, saw, light, half inch drill, because it was such a piece of crap. When I got the Makita I had just given away a fourteen volt Dewalt similar kit for the same reason. I now have an eighteen volt Dewalt kit with a sawsall, six and a half inch circular saw, half inch hammer drill, and I hate it for the same reasons I hated the other kits, batteries. They suck.

But the Panasonic fifteen volt drill weighs about what a twelve volt Dewalt weighs. It has better balance. And it's got the torque and power of the eighteen volts and the batteries last twice to three times as long under load.

So I am excited about the new welder.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Harv, you might want to consider increasing the area of the 5th wheel plates. Come to think of it, 5th & 6th wheel plates, for additional stability when the axel is off straight.
The ones under airport baggage wagons are pretty big for just that reason.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's a picture of the monster ready for work.

BTW I cut it pretty sharp just to see what kind of allowances I have. So far it's all within reasonalbe expectations. I imagine when I get all the customers stuff welded and fab'd up. Along with the honey do's and that custom rocking horse for the newest grand daughter, well, I'll make another cart and use the rigid axle with tie rods etc.

Yup amongst all this fabbing and such there's this request for a rocking horse. I'm looking right now at starting off with two pieces of four by twelve cedar about two foot long. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[CSAW]

bgott That is the idea. Very maneuverable.

 

[Kodiak]

I had heard of Panasonic making welders before. But yours boast some impressive specs. I really like the available wire feed speed. That would come in very handy for al. plate.

I see you have quite the little helper there. But your gonna have to get him some miniture welding leathers. Would also like to see some pictures of this rocking horse your planning, when its done.

Talk at you later.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

That toot in the back ground is Drew. He's one of these kids with tons of grandpas. I happen to be his adopted one.

He's normally quite shy. But when he hits the shop he shifts it into overdrive and you'd better have your seat belt on. He loves the chickens.

Here's him talking to Hussey who's a Rhode Island Red that thinks she's a parrokeet when it comes time for food. She likes to climb up on my shoulder and peck at my beard for treats like the minature marshmellows in his hand.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

She is a character and he's trying hard to become one. He belongs to my wannabesoninlaw's best friend. And I don't know why but he'd rather come and play at my place with my toys than anyone we know about.

We have a Rhode Island Red rooster called Scrapper that's the most unusual and one of a kind bird I've ever known. Scrapper will stand there and let Drew play with his comb, mess with his beard, and generally act like an old lab that knows he's family and the kid is too.

The rocking horse is playing around in my mind getting settled on just what it wants to be when it shows up. Now I'm thinking of taking the two four by twelves, scrap I have in hand. They will be the head and body. I have the carving knives and a super trick blade for an angle grinder that's meaner than just about anything short of a chainsaw on alcohol for carving.

All I need is some imagination, luck, and just a little bit of time. I've already accepted that it won't be perfect. But then it don't have to be perfect. She's perfection and all we want is for her to like it and let it rock her world.

 

[Kodiak]

Don't have any birds. But our labs (one yellow,one black) just chase the wild bunnies around the yard. The rabbits have learned the buddy system and will keep the dogs running till they drop.

I just got one of those neat little trick chain saw blades for the A.G.. Boy it really taught me to respect it the first time I used it. Kicked back off a knot and almost trimmed my sideburn, ear and all. Won't be cutting in that direction anymore.