Small log dolly build

[Sodo]

I often have to drag logs out of the woods to feed a sawmill. I built a lightweight dolly, that has been working very well but when I overload it the tires pop. So I built a heavier duty unit, now I have two.

I had the wheels in the junkpile but had to buy axles and hubs (from Trailer Hitches & Vehicle Accessories (800)298-8924). The stub axles are 1.25 inch solid HR steel. I welded today until I ran out of wire <grrrr>

It's made of 1x2x.125 steel tubing. Rectangle size is 22 inches wide, 16 inches long.

Solid axle is 1.25 inch HR steel

Wheels are on 8 inch trailer wheels, tires rated for 590 lbs each max. Got the stub axles and hubs from etrailer.com.

Structure is ready, now have to add the uprights to cradle the log, and the hold-downs. When I get back with more wire.

Enjoying my new generator. $999 delivered! I hope it lasts. Harbor freight welding cart was a good $49 spent but would have been a better $35 a couple days later.

"Start your generator in 4 easy steps!" Imagine that. Also it says QUIET 72dB. Well if thats quiet I'd hate to even hear the number for my old generator. You can see the hearing protection sitting ontop. I don't look forward to removing it so I can wear my welding hat. Maybe the starter cranking is 72dB, but when it fires up it's all 16 horsepower.

 

[davesl708]

Cool. Looks good.
So it will be painted Orange?

 

[CNC Dan]

You might need to add a cross member where the axles are. Would take a lot of torque off of the pieces that the axles are atached to.

 

[ishiboo]

I'm with Dan. If that were .25" tube with proper penetration it wouldn't be an issue, but hitting a big bump or something could easily twist the stub and pull it through the inside tube first. Once that's ripped the outside tube is a goner.

You could also reinforce it, but a cross-tube makes it really easy to support a ton of shock loading.

 

[Sodo]

Been thinking about that too but have 4 years of test data from the previous log dolly which was 1.5 x 1.5 x .065" which has section modulus .17108. The 1 x 2 x .125 tube (modulus 0.33171) is fully double of the lightweight dolly that has survived 4 years of overloading. In light of that I wonder why I'm doubling the weight but thats the material I have.

Anyway I like to keep moving - and I found some wire! (7018 ) I never would have thought of this but am actually looking forward to stick-welding. Only problem is my welder (3 prong) doesn't plug into the generator (4 holes). I think I can get thru that but need some help.

 

[ishiboo]

Been thinking about that too but have 4 years of test data from the previous log dolly which was 1.5 x 1.5 x .065" which has section modulus .17108. The 1 x 2 x .125 tube (modulus 0.33171) is fully double of the lightweight dolly that has survived 4 years of overloading. In light of that I wonder why I'm doubling the weight but thats the material I have.

Anyway I like to keep moving - and I found some wire! I never would have thought of this but am actually looking forward to it. Only problem is my welder (3 things) doesn't plug into the generator (4 holes). I think I can get thru that but need some help.

View attachment 414825

Your welder is 240v only, the generator is 240/120. Is therefor has an unused wire, the neutral, that your welder doesn't need. A simple adapter cord is all you need.

I am assuming your welder has a 6-50P plug on the end, as that is standard for both 30A and 50A... but look at it and make sure.

The generator has a 14-50R on it, so you will need a 14-50P plug... and an inline 6-50R receptacle if that's correct. You will also need at least a foot or two of cord... it's cheap so I would just do 8-3 for the future, you could get by with 10-3 or even 12-3 if its a 30A circuit.

 

[Sodo]

Thanks for the help, I'm on it! No adapter cords out here in the woods but I do have the 3 holer 50R receptacle. (Started a new thread here.

 

[mikefromnh]

Thanks for the help, I'm on it! No adapter cords out here in the woods but I do have the 3 holer 50R receptacle. (Started a new thread here.

I've heard 110volt mig is the way to go for trailers

 

[Sodo]

Mike that sounds like some kind of urban legend. Careful those things spread like wildfire on the internet and the newbies don't know who to believe.

Here it is with the log supports. Need tie-down method, maybe chain binders.

 

[Sodo]

I'm with Dan. If that were .25" tube with proper penetration it wouldn't be an issue, but hitting a big bump or something could easily twist the stub and pull it through the inside tube first. Once that's ripped the outside tube is a goner.
You could also reinforce it, but a cross-tube makes it really easy to support a ton of shock loading.

Agree it would be a lot stronger, but this thing is so much more stout than the lightweight dolly which carried the same 24" diameter wet logs. Here's a pic of the lightweight (1.5 x 1.5 x .065) dolly that just needs stronger wheels. I suppose it's possible that it was on the verge of folding (but didn't).

Also stick-welded 7018 over my MIG welds just because I was enjoying it.