Log arch, need some suggestions

[davedj1]

Jeep front hub bearings are cheap and readily available used if you know anyone in the Jeep community. Jeep Wrangler, most Cherokee's share the bolt pattern 5 on 4 1/2, later years it changed to 5 on 5
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...85,brake+&+wheel+hub,wheel+bearing+&+hub,1636
Probably the easiest thing to do.

 

[rbstern]

Jeesh, sorry I missed this...as I love this sort of thing.

I think you are off to a good start.

I think if it was me, I might put a walking beam suspension under it. It would add the cost of another set of tires and rims, but I think it would pull better over rough terrain. I have a log trailer that is walking-beam suspension, and it drags through the woods pretty easy because of that feature.

Some box beam, pins and some flat bar would get you there easy enough. It would also give you the height you would want, just by its very design.

They also tend to back up better, because unlike a (2) wheeled unit, it takes more of an effort to get them to turn. That sounds counterintuitive, but they work well because unless you really move your tractor to get them to turn when backing up, they do not just turn this way and that while backing...so it is very predictable. With my walking-beam trailer, I can typically stuff it into the hole I want to, most of the time, on the first try. That is nice when working in the woods.

Follow up: I built this as a walking beam setup, as you suggested. Using a long Cat 1 pin and Cat 2 bushing for the axle and hub of the beam. Will post some pics later.

Trying to source a set of used golf cart tires and wheels for the rolling portion of the assemblies.

 

[davedj1]

Follow up: I built this as a walking beam setup, as you suggested. Using a long Cat 1 pin and Cat 2 bushing for the axle and hub of the beam. Will post some pics later.

Trying to source a set of used golf cart tires and wheels for the rolling portion of the assemblies.

Maybe look for ATV tires and wheels too?

 

[rbstern]

Maybe look for ATV tires and wheels too?

Would look cooler, but harder to find matching set of four on used market. The golf cart refurb places sell take offs for $60/set.

 

[rbstern]

Any suggestions for paint prep? The repurposed dirt scoop has pretty good paint with light rust in sections. The rest is new steel from a mill.

 

[CoyPatton]

Any suggestions for paint prep? The repurposed dirt scoop has pretty good paint with light rust in sections. The rest is new steel from a mill.

Wire brush away any lose rust or mill scale. If any rust spots use a rust convertor—many brands available. I like a self etching primer. Then your choice of color and brand of paint

 

[rbstern]

Here's a pic of the walking beam axle for this arch.

 

[rbstern]

Wire brush away any lose rust or mill scale. If any rust spots use a rust convertor—many brands available. I like a self etching primer. Then your choice of color and brand of paint

10-4. Thank you.

 

[John_Mc]

Follow up: I built this as a walking beam setup, as you suggested. Using a long Cat 1 pin and Cat 2 bushing for the axle and hub of the beam. Will post some pics later.

I'll be interested to see pictures of this and hear how it works out. I don't think I've ever seen a log arch with a walking beam suspension.

 

[Smokeydog]

Horse drawn wagon wheels were large because large wheels reduce rolling resistance. Have seen horse drawn logging arches with 6’ steel wheels. Reason for steel wheels was the needed for strength on the hill sides in Tellico Tennessee. Patterned my porch railing from those wheels.


16” truck or trailer wheels and tires are tough and cheap. 3/4 - 1 ton truck full floating axles make cheap HD axle stubs.

3500# trailer axle stubs and hubs new are pretty cheap too. Square stubs are easy to weld. Option of different hub lug patterns. I’d use the the largest wheels I could find.