Best Carry All Platform Width?

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

Now that I am a new Carry ALL owner...I have to decide how wide to make the platform that I will bolt onto the steel frame.

My guess is to make it no wider than the rear tires...which in my case are 53 inches wide. If the pressure treated 2x10s I got last year at a great price are 8 feet long, then it would make sense to make the platform 4 feet wide...have to go measure them after posting this question.

Should I also cover the back with wood? My own answer is yes, but I wonder if there would be a reason not to.

Like someone's sig says, I know I could learn from my own mistakes, but would rather get the input of those who have done it and avoid the expense of making my own!

So what is the experience of the carry-all collective?

Any pointers greatly appreciated!

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Darren]

Build it to suit you. The one I use on my FEL forks is 8'x8'. It works great for moving brush and bailed hay. It is a bit tough to see around when it's loaded with brush. Other than that, the size is perfect. Figure out what you're going to do with your's first, then build it to do the job.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I recently bought the carryall from TSC and made it the same width as my tractor. That seemed to be the best compromise. One thing I do intend to do is make removeable sides using stake pockets to better accomodate carrying things like firewood and other materials that tend to "wander" while moving.

 

[beenthere]

<font color=blue>Should I also cover the back with wood? <font color=black>

I made my planks 4' wide, and even with that width, have clipped a few trees so I wouldn't want mine any wider. Also, I bolted on planks just on the bottom, and the front. I have stake pockets in the back, and have a removable "tail gate" that I can add if needed, such as for carrying firewood. Have thought about adding sides, but usually stack firewood so it hangs over the sides, and don't throw it on loose.

I often use mine to haul 5' wood (tree tops, limb wood, small trees, etc) out of the woods to later cut to 20" lengths when at the wood pile. The carry-all works well for that. But with 5' wood on it, there is more difficulty maneuvering around in the woods. Another reason I might keep mine at 4'.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi again,

I took a look at the PT wood that I have and it is 8 foot in lenght, so I will probably just cut the stuff in half, and make the width 4 feet. Also, when I said back I guess I meant front /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

Stake pockets on the back sound like a great idea and something I would not have thought of. Where do you get them?

Thanks for the advice guys...

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[beenthere]

Actually, the carry-all I bought (years ago, like in early 70's) had stake pockets at the back ends of the steel square tubing of the framework. I suspect they could be added by anyone with a welder. The stakes I use are 1 1/4 square tubing.

 

[Inspector507]

macher,
Stake Pockets at TSC $4.19

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That's what I was going to say...another reason for Bill to take another run to TSC!

 

[theboman]

That's what I did. Make mine 4' (tire width on my B7500) and had Lowes cut the board (free). I got 16' stuff and the price was cheaper.

 

[jhburke]

I built mine 4' wide and only used 1 2x8 board on the front. I did weld in a reese type hitch between the arms at the rear. With the insert out nothing is sticking out from the carry all. I used this to carry counterbalance while I was cleaning out a overgrown lot. Saved the back of the tractor a few times.