Wheel forks

Geotech · Dec 30, 2018

Just bought a new welder and learning to weld. Thinking a fun and useful project would be to make some gauge wheels for my landscape rake. Looking for some cheap wheel forks or advice on best/easiest way to fabricate them.

WranglerX · Dec 31, 2018

Geotech said:
Just bought a new welder and learning to weld. Thinking a fun and useful project would be to make some gauge wheels for my landscape rake. Looking for some cheap wheel forks or advice on best/easiest way to fabricate them.

Similar to this?

But one pictured is light weight off wheel chair or scooter..

Might use "caster wheels" as search term if doing i-net search..

How about front assemblies off zero turn mower...

About learning to weld...

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

Dale

Kernopelli · Dec 31, 2018

I made a set of caster forks for 4.10x3.5 tires out of 3/8" plate. I cut 2 fork legs and welded them them on an offset angle to a doubled up top plate to make it 3/4" thick. Bored a 1" hole in the top plate with a bimetal hole saw and welded in an 8" or 10" length of 1" round stock for the kingpin. Used 1" ID DOM tubing to cut spacers to stack on the kingpin to adjust wheel height and used the same tubing as the receiver for the 1" shaft.

Geotech · Dec 31, 2018

Kernopelli said:
I made a set of caster forks for 4.10x3.5 tires out of 3/8" plate. I cut 2 fork legs and welded them them on an offset angle to a doubled up top plate to make it 3/4" thick. Bored a 1" hole in the top plate with a bimetal hole saw and welded in an 8" or 10" length of 1" round stock for the kingpin. Used 1" ID DOM tubing to cut spacers to stack on the kingpin to adjust wheel height and used the same tubing as the receiver for the 1" shaft.

This is how most of the heavy duty ones I see for sale appear to be constructed. 3/8 is really thick. My welder won't handle that. Do you think 3/16 would be stout enough for gauge wheels? My landscape rake is about 250 lbs. Might make them so they go on the box blade too. It's 450 lbs. So, I suppose each wheel will support about 75 lbs with the landscape rake and 113 lbs on the box blade.

Geotech · Dec 31, 2018

DL Meisen said:
Similar to this?

But one pictured is light weight off wheel chair or scooter..

Might use "caster wheels" as search term if doing i-net search..

How about front assemblies off zero turn mower...

About learning to weld...

Welding Tips and Tricks - TIG, MIG, Stick and a pantload of other info

Dale

Yeah, similar to those but no caster bearings. Just a rod that will be accepted into a tube...like a vertical hitch receiver that allows it to rotate. Thanks for the url with welding tips.

stuckmotor · Dec 31, 2018

I don't know that they'd serve your needs but Agri Supply has tail wheels and forks for rotary cutters. I tried to link you to the page but my link didn't work.

Kernopelli · Jan 1, 2019

Geotech said:
This is how most of the heavy duty ones I see for sale appear to be constructed. 3/8 is really thick. My welder won't handle that. Do you think 3/16 would be stout enough for gauge wheels? My landscape rake is about 250 lbs. Might make them so they go on the box blade too. It's 450 lbs. So, I suppose each wheel will support about 75 lbs with the landscape rake and 113 lbs on the box blade.

3/16 would probably be OK. As far as not being able to weld 3/8", I dont know what machine you have but you may be surprised what it will do. For years, my only welder was an 88 amp Lincoln Weld Pack 110V, flux core only and rated for 1/8" metal. I made these caster forks, my front end loader, ROPS and many other projects requiring much thicker steel than 1/8". Use really clean metal, bevel your edges, make multiple passes and take your time and you will be shocked what you can safely and reliably build with a little machine.

I would like to know how many 10lb spools of wire have run through that machine..... at least 10 and I know I have used AT LEAST that many 2lb spools. A lot of people will tell you these little machines are useless but they are far from it.

countrybumpkin · Jan 1, 2019

Look into using C channel instead of flat bar stock for forks. Steel shape will allow you to use thinner material and with greater strength. Do a google image search for “landscape rake gauge wheels” you will find a bunch of pics of different setups, just mix or match different ones to fit your needs.

Geotech · Jan 1, 2019

Kernopelli said:
3/16 would probably be OK. As far as not being able to weld 3/8", I dont know what machine you have but you may be surprised what it will do. For years, my only welder was an 88 amp Lincoln Weld Pack 110V, flux core only and rated for 1/8" metal. I made these caster forks, my front end loader, ROPS and many other projects requiring much thicker steel than 1/8". Use really clean metal, bevel your edges, make multiple passes and take your time and you will be shocked what you can safely and reliably build with a little machine.

I would like to know how many 10lb spools of wire have run through that machine..... at least 10 and I know I have used AT LEAST that many 2lb spools. A lot of people will tell you these little machines are useless but they are far from it.

I just got a Century FC 90 flux core wire welder. Century website says it'll do 3/16. Settings legend on the box show up to 1/8 but dials turn higher than the legend shows for 1/8. I figure being a novice welder, best not to get too clever. But then again, if it breaks...just weld it up again.

Geotech · Jan 1, 2019

countrybumpkin said:
Look into using C channel instead of flat bar stock for forks. Steel shape will allow you to use thinner material and with greater strength. Do a google image search for 斗andscape rake gauge wheels you will find a bunch of pics of different setups, just mix or match different ones to fit your needs.

Interesting approach. Will look into that.