My Attempt at Guage Wheels

[JasonL]

First, I admit I borrowed heavily from others here on TBN, especially MadReferee and Barnboy. Second, I have yet to try them out, so don't know how or if they work. But here they are.

 

[JasonL]

I wanted to make them removeable, and adjustable, so I used pins to attach them to the rake. Also that allowed me to turn the rake backwards and still use the wheels.

 

[JasonL]

To turn the rake I must remove the wheels however.

 

[JasonL]

I made split rubber washers for height adjustment. I sacrificed part of a rubber horse stall mat. I'm not sure how they will hold up, but decided to give them a try. It should be very easy to adjust, just pull out a washer and move it above or below.

 

[JasonL]

Lastly, I can turn the wheels upside down to get them out of the way.

 

[JasonL]

While I was playing, I made a stand for the rake. Here it is up.

 

[JasonL]

And here it is down!

 

[JasonL]

Thats All Folks! Just having so much fun I wanted to share. Feel free to critique my work, (I know I need practice welding), as I am willing to learn! Note: In one of the pictures you can see my chain box fastened to my quick hitch that I copied from someone here on TBN /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[erich]

Jason,

I have a Massey Ferguson rake and your casters look better than the factory made castors that cost me a fortune. Let me know how your rubber washers work out. Good work!

Eric

 

[Egon]

very nice.

Egon

 

[beenthere]

Looks very good, and am looking at the pics for some steel washers to go between the rubber washers and the steel tubing. Seems this would make the rubber washers indestructible, where without, they may get 'shredded'. On snow plows, the 'skid' pads are adjusted with steel washers and they might be the same diameter as your round tubing posts.
Good design. Hope you keep us posted on how it works for you.

 

[HonourMe]

In place of steel washers, get a piece of the next size larger schedule 80 steel pipe and cut it into 1/4" & 1/2" sections. They will work just as well as washers and you can vary the height.

 

[MadReferee]

My only concern is that the casters (the forks) seem to be a little flimsy for this application. Other than that, nice job.

 

[Bowhunter]

Looks real good Jason.

 

[jjcc246]

looks pretty good from here. as long as it does what it's designed to do your good to go. Nice Job !!

 

[JasonL]

I got the casters at TSC. I'm not sure of the load rating, but I feel like they should do the job. One thing that maybe wasn't clear was that they are swivel casters with grease fittings. I did think of adding steel washers for the rubber ones to rub against but so far have been unable to find any large enough. The spindles will not actually need to turn (although they can) because the castors swivel--- so I hope the rubber washers will hold up. I made them split washers so I can just pull them out and move them without pulling out the spindle. I hope to finish up the wheels soon- then we'll see if they work! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Thanks for your comments!

 

[George2615]

Stop by your local snowplow dealer for the large washers used on shoes for plows. They probably have the large size you need.

 

[Barnboy]

Looks good and you saved lots of $$.

 

[chief5]

for spacers check here spacers For caster arms and yokes check here arms and yokes The main page is www.mowmore.com You will also find caster bushings and tire and wheel assmblies for use on your gauge wheels.

Good luck, Lorn

 

[djradz]

Nice job Jason. Originally I was pretty concerned you'd have lots of problems with the casters as the kind TSC sells usually have the ball bearings pretty exposed and with no grease fittings. Looks like you've found a set that's a cut above the rest. Unfortuneately, as I can still slightly see the bearings, it's quite possible they'll get loaded up with dust, dirt, etc. Let us know how they hold out. Like I said, nice job nonetheless. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif