My Yutrax has expanded metal but not XXH. So I’ve got a lose sheet of plywood over it. I like your idea. You can alway toss something over it if it’s not holding up.
Thanks, Brad. I've been thinking about an expanded metal that i saw on an equipment trailer that was REALLY heavy, Not the typical 9 gauge you usually see on landscape trailers...
I wanted to keep the wheel base the same as the quad...I actually got a little wider than I wanted. I didn't want the tub as wide as the the tires. Mostly for center of gravity and maneuverability in the woods.
I too, really enjoy these build threads. Envious of your skills and shop. I eagerly await for progress reports from the shop.
Tim, once you get it finished we/I can draw up a set of detailed plans...but I will need all your input on dimensions, steel sizes and you on call when I draw it up!
I went back and reread your post from monday. All solid ideas indeed. I consider any comments on design one at a time and think them through. Do I need that ? Do I have it now? Would I use it if I had it? And yes. Some of the ideas made the cut
I've even thought about making two floors that I could switch back and forth. Or putting expanded metal pieces in the front and rear as "drains" for the chaff (bark and chips) I haven't decided on the floor yet... It will most likely be a sheet of metal so it sweeps out easy.
Wasn't just me. I had our welder mechanic truck driver operator plumber electrician farmer helping me. He likes to fab and play in the shop too. He's 67 and can outwork anyone on the site. We really have a great time working. I don't think he'll ever retire.
You have my wheels turning and was thinking about different types of grates. I watch those gold mining shows and see they use some kind of plastic/poly/fiberglass grates in their wash plants so started browsing the interwebs for ideas. Check this stuff out. If you stayed with the 56 "x 32" floor 3 pieces might work with one end and the outside edges cut off. It looks like they interlock at the edges. The bad expensive. $50x3 + ship. I just thought it was cool. Plastic Grate 12 inch x 60 inch - PlasTEAK Inc.
I finished making the 10 side posts today but didn't get them tacked on the frame. The neighbor called looking for some help so i quit and went to help him. I'll definitely have them on tomorrow. Lots of angles and welding and grinding today I have a piece of angle iron clamped to the edge of the welding bench as a jig to clamp the box tube in and get the angles right for tacking
when notching tubing to make an angle if you do not cut the back edge it will act like a hinge and you can bend it closed then weld 3 sides instead of 4. also it will keep things lined up.
