Building a mounting bracket for a Prince SV valve

canoetrpr · Apr 1, 2008

I'm going to be finding a local welding shop to make a bracket for me. The valve is heck of a lot heavier than I thought it would be - 4 work sections.

I think that UPS listed it as 35 lb!

Any suggestions on what thickness of metal a bracket should be made of? I was going to bolt a rectangular bracket to the fender and then the valve to the bracket. Hooking it to the ROPS or closer to the rear, as most people seem to do, seems like it would be too far for me.

I was thinking 1/8" thinkness - what do you all think?

kennyd · Apr 1, 2008

I would use 1/4" myself, but if you can mock it up in cardboard and show some pictures you will get better suggestions...

EDIT: If you bring it down to MD I'd be happy to weld it for you...Don't say I didn't offer!

canoetrpr · Apr 1, 2008

Thanks for the offer kennyd!

Based on your thoughts I'll just go with 1/4 - pretty safe. Since this is simply going to sit off my fender I'm just going to get a metal shop to cut me a piece of steel 11.5" x 9" and round off two corners on one of the 9" sides so that I don't poke myself.

I really like your setup but I find that if I mount it too far back then its a struggle reaching it - guess thats what happens when you are 5'6".

kennyd · Apr 1, 2008

I'm only 5'8", but you have the bigger tractor

3RRL · Apr 1, 2008

I see you've already made a good choice with 1/4" thickness.
I have several of my own using 1/8" to 3/8" thickness. It depends on the how the mount will be supported. In other words, will the plate have to hold the valve totally like an overhanging ledge or will the plate have support where it is mounted to the fender several places.
The other consideration ... to be honest ... is what kind of steel I have lying around.

canoetrpr · Apr 1, 2008

One of these days I'm going to have to get a welder and start playing with some metal.

I've found a location basically right on the fender which seems to work out ideally for access to the handles and access to the ports. The valve will overhang the fender by about 4 to 5 inches - hence the mounting plate. The plate will be supported with bolts on the fender (I figure four bolts) and about 2/3 of it will be on the fender.

Should be a pretty solid setup I think.

I found a local welder who will work with me. I'm going to email him a drawing tomorrow.

wushaw · Apr 2, 2008

canoetrpr said:
One of these days I'm going to have to get a welder and start playing with some metal.

Don't do that it will just cost ya more money in the log run with all the projects you will be building....but if money is no object and having fun and getting satisfaction out of seeing something work that you built with your own hands is more important then go for it

Oh yea if you drink beer then you will use more of that also.....