dstig1
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2010
- Messages
- 4,786
- Location
- W Wisc
- Tractor
- Kubota L5240 HSTC, JD X738 Mower, (Kubota L3130 HST - sold)
I had to flip around the rear tires last winter for snowplowing as we needed chains on the Ag tires, but they would not clear the fenders in the "normal" position. So a friend and I did it, and it was painful. These tires are close to 1000 lbs each with Rimguard in them, and 2 guys can't do much with that weight, not to mention the safety aspects. So now it is spring and I need to flip them back around so it fits on the trailer. There is no hoist in the garage (yet) but I do have a pair of machinery movers. These are normally used in a pair on either side of a heavy object, and connected to each other with a ratchet strap to keep them in place. I got them real cheap off CL a few years back (seller had no clue what they were worth) and they have been invaluable on several occasions.
Well I thought about it and figured if I could make a frame and essentially some fork extensions, I could probably use one of them as a makeshift tire lift. Tried it today and overall they worked really well.
Here is the before picture. Normally you use these in pairs, but I only need one for this.
Here it is almost finished. I welded up an outrigger with 2 more swivel casters and a pair of fork extensions. I also put a bolt in to secure the extensions to the lifting tabs so they didn't come loose in use (not shown). The extensions are captured above, below and behind the lifting tabs so they stay put.
And here it is in use.
Only thing I would change is to extend the outrigger out farther. This is 36" wide, but another 6" on each side would be very helpful in clearing the edges of the tire. Not sure how soon I will get to that as it is a huge improvement over the manual method as is, and I have too much to do.
Well I thought about it and figured if I could make a frame and essentially some fork extensions, I could probably use one of them as a makeshift tire lift. Tried it today and overall they worked really well.
Here is the before picture. Normally you use these in pairs, but I only need one for this.
Here it is almost finished. I welded up an outrigger with 2 more swivel casters and a pair of fork extensions. I also put a bolt in to secure the extensions to the lifting tabs so they didn't come loose in use (not shown). The extensions are captured above, below and behind the lifting tabs so they stay put.
And here it is in use.
Only thing I would change is to extend the outrigger out farther. This is 36" wide, but another 6" on each side would be very helpful in clearing the edges of the tire. Not sure how soon I will get to that as it is a huge improvement over the manual method as is, and I have too much to do.