7' First Choice RFM on 6'9

[JimMc]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Sorry for the delay in responding, We've been trying to finish the week's work on 3 days so our people can take a well deserved 4 day weekend holiday.

Would the 2x8's tend to warp under the weight when they get alternately wet and then sun? Will you be backing on the trailer or loading with the tractor facing forward?

If you back on, you could pin 2 pieces of C6x8.2. That would be 6" light channel and would add about 120 lbs for the 2 pieces. In this way, you could leave the channel in place while you load and unload, your wheel pockets would be built in, and you could remove the channel when you want complete use of your trailer floor. You might have to back the tractor on the trailer and allow the RFM to sit on the front rail to get the tongue weight right depending on your setup.

Of course, you could use the same system pulling on front ways, but you'd have to remove the channel each time you unload.

 

[Kodiak]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

What I was trying to convey in my in my last entry, was do away with cross supports altogether and set each of the gauge wheels down on its own upside down milk crate. Therefore allowing the gauge wheel frames to support all of the mowers weight, just as though it weir sitting on the ground.the deck would then be suspended from the gauge wheel frame and nothing would have to be supported by the trailer rails. Therefore nothing complicated to build. No additional weight added to, or affecting the trailers center of gravity. As well as your back. And best of all no additional expense. Then just run one or two ratchet straps from the trailer frame, up over the gauge wheel frames, back down to the trailer frame again, and its secure.

I'm not trying to rain on anyones parade. Just trying to offer the man a nice simple, cheap and stable solution.

 

[JimMc]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

There have been several good ideas presented so far. Actually the deck is quite rigid and probably quite capable of supporting its own weight, however the main concern might be making sure the weight doesn't come to rest on the blades. That would be a problem for the blades as well as the spindles.

 

[CVHoss]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

O.K., I don't think anyone has posted this idea yet, so let's try. Now, I realize I was born stupid, but if your new mower is like this one:

it appears that the wheels are held on just like the ones on my KK RFM. If so, why not just get some pipe or bar stock the same diameter as the bar stock on the wheel support, cut it to an appropriate length and when you're ready to transport, pop the pin holding the wheels in, pull 'em out, install the longer piece of bar stock (you'll need a hole for a pin drilled in the correct location of the bar stock or some type of stop welded to it) and set the unit down on the four "stands". Since this utilizes the structure that is designed to support the mower in the field, it would seem the least likely to do any damage.

Hoss

 

[bnixon]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Ozarker,

Is this similar to what you suggested, See attached pic.

CVHoss,

This is the type of common sense approach that most of us totally overlook.....I think it would work!

 

[Kodiak]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Brandon:

What program are using to do these drawings with. They are really good.

 

[Ozarker]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Sort of..... I was thinking of a vertical stand that worked like a jack stand.


If this pix posts. Here is a view with the stands down for transport and up for mowing.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Rather than adding all that hardware, why not just make something that would allow you to put a support from the pivot tube to the deck replacing the casters. You could take the caster out and replace it with a support that would extend to the trailer deck. viola' You're done.

 

[Ozarker]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

I thought of that but I see a problem and a potential problem.

The problem is the the legs used to replace the castors would have to be stowed somewhere when not in use. They might eventually become lost. Plus, he was concerned that blocking would get old. Having replaceable legs that are laying around somewhere when not in use is just another form of blocking that might get old.

The potential problem I see is bending of the legs. I think the shaft on the castors is about 3/4" or so. That 6" length of it that is supported in the tube over most of it's length and sticks out about an inch at the bottom is not likely to bend. But if you stick 20" of it out there to hold up 600# (or whatever that mower weighs), bending is a real possibility. And I am not sure what is in that tube. Is there a bushing that could get damaged?

 

[Kodiak]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Aren't you adding even more weight to an 800+lb mower.