After a photo of my power caster was posted in the project photo section, there appears to be some interest by viewers for more information. I'll be happy to post rudimentary plans and measurements, if anyone desires it.
I built this small battery operated power caster about 30 years ago. This gadget has come in handy for moving a 10'X6' utility trailer with 5' sides full of firewood and a large wood splitter around the yard and on the street. I call it my 1x1 'cause I got tired of a neighbor that is, always, bragging about his 4x4.
Didn't have any plans... just started cutting and welding. Power is a small Superwinch. Drive wheel is from a wheel barrow. I, purposely, chose the smooth tread to function as a clutch, so as not to strip out gears inside the winch when pulling (and stopping) heavy loads. Forward/reverse switch is mounted on the handle. The vertical pipe coupler inserts into a slightly larger pipe bracket that is bolted, via a couple of u-bolts, to the tongue of the towed unit.
The eyebolt and large washer on top of pipe coupler locks the 1x1 to the tongue bracket, so the tongue can't slip up and off. This type of fixed coupler was chosen over a ball coupler, due to the instability of the ball type when using a single drive wheel. If a ball were used on a single wheel, the unit would just topple over from the weight of the trailer tongue, resulting in total loss of control.
Results 1 to 7 of 7
Thread: Power caster
-
01-17-2008, 12:19 AM #1
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jan 2007
- Location
- Montana, USA
- Posts
- 201
Power caster
Last edited by Goodhand; 01-17-2008 at 06:37 PM.
-
01-17-2008, 07:06 AM #2
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2006
- Location
- near rochester NY
- Posts
- 9,881
cool designe.
thanks for the help
......or..........
hope i helped
feel free to shoot me an e-mail direct i have time to chat. james@newyorkmetalart.com
summer is here, plant a tree. if you don't have space or time to plant one sponsor some one else to plant one for you. a tree is an investment in our planet, help it out.
JAMES
-
01-17-2008, 12:34 PM #3
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Mar 2007
- Posts
- 132
That's awesome. It's a great Idea and I need one to put my trailer up between a fence and my garage.
But the title of this thead: Powercaster, had me thinking of a redneck fishing device and I haven't looked at it until now.
Thanks,
James
-
01-17-2008, 05:35 PM #4
Member
- Join Date
- Oct 2007
- Location
- Vancouver, Washington
- Posts
- 51
That’s awesome. A very simple solution. I really like the way you handled adjusting the chain tension. Using the 2 flat bars eliminates having to cut slots in a plate. I can think of lots of places that would have saved work.
Paul
-
01-17-2008, 06:34 PM #5
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Aug 2006
- Location
- near rochester NY
- Posts
- 9,881
Powercaster, had me thinking of a redneck fishing device
LOL :Pthanks for the help
......or..........
hope i helped
feel free to shoot me an e-mail direct i have time to chat. james@newyorkmetalart.com
summer is here, plant a tree. if you don't have space or time to plant one sponsor some one else to plant one for you. a tree is an investment in our planet, help it out.
JAMES
-
01-18-2008, 02:33 PM #6
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Jul 2007
- Location
- Lancaster, Pa
- Posts
- 431
I can see it now, casting from one side of the lake to the other side.
Originally Posted by jamscal
But the title of this thead: Powercaster, had me thinking of a redneck fishing device and I haven't looked at it until now.
Thanks,
James
Ken
What else is there besides welding and riding. Besides that
Miller Thunderbolt XL 300/200 AC/DC
Hobart Handler 187
Dewalt Chop Saw
4" Air Grinder
Die Grinder
Rigid Drill Press
Kellogg 10hp Air Compressor
2009 FXDC
-
09-23-2008, 04:46 AM #7
Senior Member
- Join Date
- Sep 2008
- Location
- southwestern ohio
- Posts
- 272
Could you post some of those plans that you mentioned?
Reply With Quote
