TB Welder and air compressor skid/ cage

Johnnybee · Jun 19, 2011

I needed a fast and easy way to load my welder and compressor in my truck bed for mobile welding and servicing of my mulcher.the cage is constructed from 2.5x2.5" x .120 wall sq tubing, with 6" channel for the fork pockets and the floor is 14ga diamond plate. I still need to gusset the corners and add a lifting eye in the center. Here is what i came up with so far:

I will update with more pictures as work progresses next week. Feel free to ask questions or comment! Im looking for a creative way to hang my leads...:confused2: oh the Jenny blue is almost an exact match to Miller blue

600rider · Jun 19, 2011

Welcome to TBN! I think you have done an excellant job!
I took some used mig wire reels and mounted them on either side of my Linclon AC 225 buzzbox to wrap the leads on.
What are you going to do to keep it from sliding arround in the back of your truck?

Rio_Grande · Jun 20, 2011

one recomendation I have is put a ring up high balanced to center, it allows for offloading or onloading creativly. I found my helpers liked to run forks into things but with that big ring you run one fork through it an pick up and go.

Johnnybee · Jun 24, 2011

Thanks for the tips guys. I had less room than i thought i would so Im not going to try to fit my leads on it. Im taking it to get powder coated next week. Here are a few more pictures

DanD78 · Jun 24, 2011

I am wanting to do away with my trailer and build the same thing for my Trailblazer 302G but had a couple of different thoughts. I am wanting to face the controls to the rear, install lead hooks, mount a smaller electric air compressor and a square gang box for rod and grinders and such. My welder is new enough it will run the compressor and weld at the same time. You may want to look at the size of channel you used for the fork guides. 6" channel isn't tall enough or wide enough for heavy duty forks. I really like the way you used the box tubing. I have an excess of 3" channel that I was going to use. Did yours end up being about 4' square or did you go longer.

Dan

Johnnybee · Jun 24, 2011

DanD78 said:
I am wanting to do away with my trailer and build the same thing for my Trailblazer 302G but had a couple of different thoughts. I am wanting to face the controls to the rear, install lead hooks, mount a smaller electric air compressor and a square gang box for rod and grinders and such. My welder is new enough it will run the compressor and weld at the same time. You may want to look at the size of channel you used for the fork guides. 6" channel isn't tall enough or wide enough for heavy duty forks. I really like the way you used the box tubing. I have an excess of 3" channel that I was going to use. Did yours end up being about 4' square or did you go longer.

Dan

Yeah it is deffiently convinent being able to move it around with pallet forks.
Its funny you mention that about the controls; im actually going to redo the fork pockets by rotating them 90 degrees so that the controls do face the rear of the bed. For now the 6" channel works fine with my skidsteer pallet forks and ideally the compressor and welder will be mounted on a service truck in a couple years.

I like your idea of the smaller compressor and box, that will work well. I wish i had more room on the skid but wanted an air compressor that size to blow out air filters and run a 1" impact and plasma cutter.

The skid is 49" x 49", any bigger and it wouldnt fit between the wheel wells of my truck. I think 3" channel would work great for your skid. Just keep in mind that the trailblazer is about 44" long so there is not much wiggle room on a 4x4 skid. How were you planning on installing lead hooks? Im having a hard time coming up with a design for that.

Post up some pictures when you build yours!

Baby Grand · Jun 25, 2011

Nice design! I have a similar project in mind for my 302 that will include 3pt hitch mounts so I can take it with me on the tractor without changing out the bucket for forks. I will be studying your design closely. Tell us how it works out and what, if any changes you feel inclined to make.
Thanks for posting this,
Jim

RPW · Jun 25, 2011

For mine I didn't need a compressor but I built a frame for the welder to bolt to. Created an assembly to sit on my GN ball and lock into place. Appropriate feet to sit in the valleys of the truck bed. Controls point to the rear. Added Tweco(?) quick connects on the lugs so my cables can be disconnected easily and stored. When sitting in the truck it doesn't move abit. It's currently on my Miller 225nt but will be moving it to my new 250 as soon as I get the barn built (I'm about halfway done).

Nice job, gave me some ideas.

DanD78 · Jun 25, 2011

Baby Grand said:
Nice design! I have a similar project in mind for my 302 that will include 3pt hitch mounts so I can take it with me on the tractor without changing out the bucket for forks. I will be studying your design closely. Tell us how it works out and what, if any changes you feel inclined to make.
Thanks for posting this,
Jim

Great idea on the 3 point add on. I had to work on a field cultivator this spring where I had to take the tractor back in the field to pick the frame up for alignment. Most of what I do is with in several miles of home so it could be very handy. I still needed the truck for the other tools.

Dan