Finally got around to throwing some rails with some scraps left over from pole barn project and some store bought lumber on that trailer project I had started a few months back. I know it looks a little funky and I stopped short on running the rails on the length of the trailer. That's because as the title indicates this thing is a beast and very very heavy so to much tongue weight and I'll be popping a wheelie. Already used it to unload some wood and move some splits around and what a HUGE difference in cutting down on the workload compared to hauling wood with my much smaller gorilla cart. Making my entire wood processing a little easier really helps out and doesn't make scrounging as daunting as it use to be and back to being more fun.
To bad the axle was not little farther forward. It does look like some pretty heavy frame rails. Nice job and like you said it should cut down on some of the workload from what you have been using. I am all for doing what it takes to make things easier.
In that space at the front you could build a little storage rack for your saws, fuel, tools, wet weather gear, etc.
Sweet trailer! My .02 thinks you have a really nice set-up. I wouldn’t want the axle farther forward. My wagon has too much area behind he axle and when I load it up real good it ends up unloading the rear tires of my Wheel Horse.
That is a nice heavy duty trailer, looks like it was built for a small farm tractor. Set up with gear to the front & wood in the rear that should be handy for sure. Nice job Chuck!
Wheel Horse.....thats an old name. 70's vintage? Grew up with a WH, 4hp Tecumseh, switched out for an 8 eventually. Standard shift. ReelFaster, looks good. Are you going to fabricate a tailgate of some sort? I also like the idea of a tote/footlocker on the front for saw storage. If I had a trailer that would take a storage box, some of my saw stuff would leave the truck box. Sca
Probably won't do anything with the tailgate just yet, just using around the property to unload rounds and move splits. If I find splits are falling out too much I might just rig something up but so far so good. Speaking of wheel horse I saw one at a property that I was helping a fella out. It was really well built looking, heavy duty and it had a beautiful, solid & sturdy ball hitch setup. It was exactly what I was looking for. I have a typical riding mower (Craftsman) that I mounted a hitch onto. Its been doing the job but its kinda flimsy and I believe it's just a matter of time until it gives way. I also think I am pushing the max on hauling things with it. But so far it's done everything i've asked of it but it just a matter of time. I need something more sturdy. I had an ATV but that was kinda overkill for what I typically use it for (although my son LOVED IT) and it was killing the lawn and yard. I'd like a heavy duty garden tractor with a hitch setup I can mow the lawn with and still haul my small bass boat and wood trailer with without worrying am going to pop a wheelie or the hitch is going to snap off. Wheel Horses look like a good fit, saw some on CL and FB roughly going for $1,000 give or take on year and model. That's exactly right, someone custom made from a farm tractor (at least that's what I was told). It had farm implement tractor wheels on it with a really odd lug size and spacing. Wheels were in awful shape and one tire kept going flat (had tubes in it). For the life of me I couldn't find wheels that fit it so my brother in law did a bang up job on the wheels, welded patches over the rusted out areas near the valve stem (I put some rubber flashing over top so tube wouldn't catch/tear), blasted the rust of and painted the insides, he went above and beyond on the wheels. Was able to find some used tires free that fit and I slapped some heavy duty tubes in them and I was in business. It's a TANK!
Not to derail this thread any further, but, this is the tractor I learned to drive as a pup. 1973 model.
Nice looking tractor! Been reading much about them, sure they are older technology but they are built like a tank and last forever if well cared for. Not to mention buying one used can save me tons of money vs. buying a modern equivalent. Few Deere series that are similar quality/heavy duty I see used but they want 3-4k for them, recently I am seeing these anywhere from $600 - $1,500 depending on model and condition. Just need to figure out a hitch setup with them!
Also look for an ariens gt series garden tractor. You'll find them for around the same$$ as what you are seeing on the wheel horses, maybe less $$ due to not being quite as common staple as the wheel horses are. I've seen one recently that was mint, just no attachments for $500. Glad you mentioned that you want a better tow vehicle for that trailer. You are really pushing it with that particular craftsman. Is it hydro or gear drive? If it's hydro you've already gotten lucky by not breaking it.
Thanks for the info Horkn and to honest I am not very knowledgeable with this stuff. I will add that Ariens model to my list for sure! If you recall Horkn I bought that ATV few years back to do this sort of stuff. While me and my son had a blast riding it out back, it didn't really serve my needs and turned out to be not the best fit. It's a hydro and without a shadow of a doubt I have pushed this thing to the limits. It's not if but when...........it's truly only a matter of time before she goes down. I give this thing credit, it's really done so much, testament to this little craftsman. I am looking for an all in one type deal something beefy enough to pull the small boat, wood trailer, and still mow the lawn and not break the bank. One machine to care for and maintain vs. many.....
An ariens gt would definitely fit the bill then. I forget what atv you had, was it that newer sportsman in white?
It was Honda Rancher I believe a 2007, was super sweet but just wasn't the best fit and spent a bit too much on it for what I was using it for. I made a new posting about what should I be looking for in buying a used garden tractor. I appreciate your help!
