Gauge wheels or tail wheel?

[mwb]

You probably want the spindles to be more vertical when in use. They won't track nicely if the spindles are angled toward the rear like in this pic.

 

[WagonRanch]

MJ, Good concept, but I don't think that I have the room to fold them all the way forward....or even much past about 30 degrees because the main beam runs into the main upright axle for the blade. Also I thought that I would need a brace on the main upright bracket to keep that from twisting under load. You can see it in a couple of my pictures.

I could drill the main beam for the tail wheels for a pin, but it still leaves the assembly vertical.

Here's a photo of my RB as it sits now

As you can see I have an extra mounting hole for the three point. I was thinking I could use it like this:

Still pretty vertical, but it gets away from extra brackets, holes and brackets. It also keeps the new "top link" adjuster from flopping around. But I lose the cross brace on the upright, or I could mount it lower than it was before and still retain it.

 

[WagonRanch]

Thanks to one and all! I used almost all of the suggestions made and the end result is much better because of all the great input. Here are the finished gauge wheels.

Hard to see in the photo, but the wheels are adjustable for height on their spindles as well as via the new "top link". The blade can swing freely under the main beam and it misses the wheels as well. There are grease nipples on all three spindle sockets as well as both cast iron wheels. I'm using a chain for a top link to the 3PH.

Here a shot with the "landing gear" up:

It's my first welding project other than some repairs and a few practice welds. I hope it hangs together: it should, the welds are not the prettiest, but I ground bevels on everything and it seems like I got good penetration.

It cost about $150 in materials, plus welding consumables and took about 5 hours to build. I could do another one much faster, I think, but don't plan on ever finding out.

Now I'm going to build mounts for the BB and the rake so I can use the wheels on all three implements.

 

[teg]

I really liked how you handled the "Up and out of the way" wheels!! Very good job... thanks for sharing.

 

[mjncad]

Good job!

 

[WagonRanch]

Thanks teg and mjncad! What you guys are doing to your tractors is still way beyond me, but I gotta start somewhere. This simple little project turned out OK and now it's on to a toothed bar and grapple for the FEL.

 

[JoeL4330]

nicely done

 

[WagonRanch]

JoeL4330, thanks for your help; your suggestions were incorporated into the design.

 

[MJPetersen]

:thumbsup:It looks great and will be a real help in your work. You will find that you will get good results faster. Enjoy your great implementation of the wheels! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[WagonRanch]

MJPeterson you had a lot of input on this project and I appreciate your help, thanks!