Took some thought

KJINTF · 09-20-2010, 07:31 AM

I needed to get the rig out of the winter weather. After some thought it came to me. Tire Skates only problem is that they need to be really big ones. 3/8" plate steel custom fit for each set of tires. Simply use the auto levelers in manual mode slide the skates under the wheels and slowly drop the rig back down. Easy for one person to push it out of the way. The door is 10ft the rig is 10ft 4" so the mirrors need to come off, added threaded inserts and stainless steel bolts to make the mirror removal easier.

radams · 09-20-2010, 08:14 AM

Sweet! That's using the ol' noggin. I take it everything is nice and level, right?

KJINTF · 09-20-2010, 08:21 AM

Yes indeed the entire 60ft length and 30ft inside space is flat within the bubble, 5" thick concrete. Only problem is that it is filled up with stuff, need more space

Campingman · 09-20-2010, 12:02 PM

Sweet garage !!

Bob86ZZ4 · 09-20-2010, 06:05 PM

That's very cool. Those wheels must have cost a pretty penny. Where did you get them? Did you cut the plate steel? Did you curve it for the tires to fit into?

KJINTF · 09-20-2010, 06:19 PM

Cost not as much as you might think, the shipping was the expensive part
I had them made in TN
The guy does GREAT work
Yes the steel was shaped to fit the single tires up front and the duals in the rear, the tire diameter was measured then the steel was shaped to fit. Fits like a glove. Each of the skates has a structural support that runs vertical for the entire length with a 3/8" piece of plate steel. They weight in at about 200lbs each for a set of four as in 800lbs for the set

KIX · 09-20-2010, 06:22 PM

I think Bob86ZZ4 was asking where the casters under the Tire Skates came from. I'm curious too.

Bob86ZZ4 · 09-20-2010, 06:44 PM

Ya, I was wondering about that. You had the entire assemblies made by that guy? Yep, shipping is the killer. I wonder about just the wheels. I could cut the plate steel. Rather than shaping it to cup the tires I think I'd maybe consider using a heavy duty ratchet strap over each tire to secure the dolly to the wheel. That seems to be a lot easier for me.

Bob86ZZ4 · 09-21-2010, 07:38 AM

My other thought would be to weld some angle on top of the plates that would nestle the tires so it can't roll off. Like wheel chocks kind of. Couldn't hurt to do both, chocks and straps. That would keep the plates flat so the wheels could just bolt through the plate.

John H... · 09-21-2010, 08:15 AM

Did you mean the door was 8' and MH 8'-4" ??

KJINTF · 09-22-2010, 07:34 AM

The Casters were supplied as part of the job, shipped separately and simply bolt into place with 4 heavy bolts. They have a ball bearing top swivel and grease fitting for the roller bearings in the hard plastic wheels. Wheel size I believe they are 8" diameter (might eb 6") and rated at least 2,000lb each. Looking on line I see there are many suppliers of simliiar casters sorry I do not know exactly where he got them from.

Yes the rig is 10ft 4" wide not 8ft and yes the shop door is 10ft - flipping the miorrors back did not give me enough space thought I would have to remove the awings as well but they squeek through with 1" on each side.

Hammer Down · 09-22-2010, 07:49 AM

Sharp setup. How much effort or people to move the unit? Do the casters have brake locks? I've always wanted to be able to move equipment into the corners of my shop for winter storage this could be the solution. Thanks for posting.

KJINTF · 09-22-2010, 07:56 AM

Very easy for me alone to push the rig anywhere on the shop floor, Two of the four casters have flip down brakes (kind of sort of) I always use proper blocks to keep it in place. Additionally I filled the expansion cracks in the concrete to make it easy to cross them, the casters get hung easily even small dirt / gravel will stop them. Thus the floor is always very clean.