best place to find inexpensive gauge wheels?

[gladehound]

Hi all,

My objective: make a rear blade with guage wheels so that I can quickly remove snow from my 4500 square feet of gravel driveway.

Gravel details: I have 1/2 inch clean gravel. Looks nice but does not pack well.

Concerns with other solutions I've read about after doing a search: The other three solutions I've read about are the PVC pipe over the cutting edge, skids, and using the blade backwards. With how loose my driveway is, I think all of these options would move more stone than I want to. I think a nice fat set of wheels is the best way to go.

Thoughts on design: I'd like to have one wheel just behind each end of the blade so that each side could float independently.

What I have aready: A used 6' rear blade in good condition. Looks like a less expensive model. no optional end plates or guage wheels.

What I need: An inexpensive set of wheels that I can rig up to adjust the height from zero space to an inch or two of space. I don't think I'll need that much space but will design it in just in case.

My skills: not much. I can drill holes, grind, cut, and bend things. I also know how a bolt and nut work together I don't have a welder but my cousin has one and I'm sure I could get him to weld up some pieces if I need to.

Anyone have thoughts on where to get the hardware I"ll need without paying much? (hint - free would be ideal, but almost free would work) Already spent all my extra money on the tractor and the 68 tons of stone I'm using to extend the driveway. I feel like my wallet is bleeding.

 

[JCB]

Ron,

Sorry if this isn't exactly on point. Gauge wheels would be nice, but it won't be terrible w/o them. I've got a couple hundred feet of gravel to keep clean in the winter too. We got hit pretty hard last year, and once the ground freezes the blade doesn't really hurt the driveway.

You've only got to be careful in the spring and first couple snowfalls. Even then you just position the blade up a little bit and go. By about the 2nd or third time you've got to plow, you can just drop the blade with no worries. By then, it should even actually follow the driveway pretty good.

My .02 would be to consider gauge wheels an accessory, not a necessity, and just keep your eyes open till you find a good deal.

Hope that helps.

Joe

 

[kwolfe]

Option #1: Get the spindle and wheels from Agri-Supply for about $50 a piece. Product Listing -

Option #2: Get only the spindles from them and get the wheels from Harbor Frieght. You can get both wheels from them for about $20.

Option #3: If you have access to free welding, then your options are unlimitied. You can still buy the wheels at HF and have your cousin do you a favor. Do a search on guage wheels. You should find a lot of good ideas.