Modify Bulldog Top-Wind Jack?

yankeerider · May 12, 2015

Has anyone here cut off the welded-on foot on a bulldog top-wind trailer jack to install a pin-on caster wheel in its place? It should be a simple cut and drill operation, but since the jack is welded together I cannot disassemble to ensure that the bottom of the bottom (inner) leg does not house any moving parts. As best as I can tell from my research, the lower tube somehow supports a nut that rides on the screw shaft, so cutting the bottom shoe off with the jack in an extended position should avoid injury to the internal workings. Just thought I'd ask before cutting and risk damaging the jack.

bdog · May 12, 2015

I have not done that but I have gone the other way. We add a trailer that was always parked outside in soft dirt and we did away with the pin on wheel and welded on a plate. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Diamondpilot · May 12, 2015

bdog said:
I have not done that but I have gone the other way. We add a trailer that was always parked outside in soft dirt and we did away with the pin on wheel and welded on a plate. I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Same here. The wheels never worked for me on a trailer of any size. I have changed a few over to feet from a wheel.

Chris

Teachu2 · May 12, 2015

Might want to just mount a wheeled jack on the other side - then you are prepared for just about everything.

yankeerider · May 12, 2015

Thanks for the responses. Here's the details I didn't mention first time around:
The "trailer" is a Brush Bandit Model 65 wood chipper. The jack in question serves two functions- it supports the tongue when unhitched, but is also used to raise the feed wheel if material gets jammed in the feeder. Using a pin- on caster would allow me to attach a fixed shoe when needed to raise the feed wheel. I want to have a caster to support the tongue when I winch the chipper 12 feet forward onto a trailer for transport. I am not going to register the chipper as required by CT law to tow it on the road once per year.

Adding a second jack is not an option due to space. The other side of the tongue is occupied by the starter battery box.

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Diamondpilot · May 12, 2015

yankeerider said:
Thanks for the responses. Here's the details I didn't mention first time around:
The "trailer" is a Brush Bandit Model 65 wood chipper. The jack in question serves two functions- it supports the tongue when unhitched, but is also used to raise the feed wheel if material gets jammed in the feeder. Using a pin- on caster would allow me to attach a fixed shoe when needed to raise the feed wheel. I want to have a caster to support the tongue when I winch the chipper 12 feet forward onto a trailer for transport. I am not going to register the chipper as required by CT law to tow it on the road once per year.

Adding a second jack is not an option due to space. The other side of the tongue is occupied by the starter battery box.

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Those wheels are Mickie Mouse at best. They never seem to track straight. I would build something stronger to handle your winch duty.

Chris

Diamondpilot · May 12, 2015

Here is what I use at my marina. Cost about $ 50 new.

Chris

yankeerider · May 12, 2015

Thanks, Chris. That was my backup plan, and you've got me thinking I should make it my primary.

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aczlan · May 13, 2015

Does your chipper have hydraulics? If it does (or if you can add them), you might look at adding a hydraulic lift wheel like on a roofers buggy (RB4000 - Equipter), or even do that, then replace the axle with a straight axle from a vehicle (ie: the rear axle out of a pickup or car) and add a hydraulic motor attached where the driveshaft would go.

Then you would have a self propelled chipper

Aaron Z