Argocat trailer

[gav0994]

Finally got the trailer finished! All ready to get dropped off for galvanising tommorow morning.

Here are some pics of it completed - minus the floor obviously!













it is right on the 2.55M width limit allowed for trailers in the UK. I am also happy with the weight of it - can still lift it with 2 people fairly easily.

 

[Ragnarok]

nice work, and good job keeping the weight down, never seen suspension set up like that before, does it mean that one wheel has to go down for one to go up? how is the trailers weight rated? i guess it has to be 750kg because it has no brakes?

 

[gav0994]

Cheers the suspension is a "walking beam" design; basically it allows the trailer to "float" along and the wheels move with the terrain. This type of suspension is typically found on Agricultural type trailers and ATV trailers.

The Max Gross Weight of the trailer will be 750Kg due to no brakes, however the option is there to remove the "walking Beam" units and fit braked indespension type suspension units and a braked hitch if desired.

 

[brightspark]

nice job but the drawbar looks a bit iffy to the hitch. a bit of plate welded over all 3 would stiffen it up a bit

 

[the snooper]

just a question what did you use for the axle pivot it looks quite thin / smallish from the pictures and as though it will bend on rough terrain

 

[400-ascona]

Nice looking piece of kit, and looks like a tidy bit of workmanship. Would second the hitch comment. Unless it is reinforced underneath I would be temped to add plate across and welded to all 3 parts.
Rob.

 

[octo0072000]

nice job but the drawbar looks a bit iffy to the hitch. a bit of plate welded over all 3 would stiffen it up a bit

plus 2 on the hitch looking a bit iffy needing a plate to finish it off

 

[feen]

Plus 3 on the hitch. Did you make the stubs removeable so the beams can get galvanised?

You'll have to put it over a weighbridge and post the results once finished.

And what happened to wheels inboard????

Looking good all the same and a decent looking folder in the workshop (jealous)

JF

 

[gav0994]

nice job but the drawbar looks a bit iffy to the hitch. a bit of plate welded over all 3 would stiffen it up a bit

there's a 40x5mm piece of flat bar welded across the underside keeping it all secure!

 

[gav0994]

just a question what did you use for the axle pivot it looks quite thin / smallish from the pictures and as though it will bend on rough terrain

the pivot point for the axle is a 750Kg rated stub axle welded onto a suspension mounting plate that is bolted onto another plate welded onto 50x50x5mm box - so not going anywhere!

 

[gav0994]

Plus 3 on the hitch. Did you make the stubs removeable so the beams can get galvanised?

You'll have to put it over a weighbridge and post the results once finished.

And what happened to wheels inboard????

Looking good all the same and a decent looking folder in the workshop (jealous)

JF

see my reply above re the hitch. I was having problems getting the stubs to fit nicely inside the 40x40 box i had, so the had to weld the stubs onto the beams, so unfirtunately the beams won't be galvanised

Client was happy with the wheels outboard, and after towing it down to be dropped off for galvanising this morning, it handled not too bad and sits well. I think with the wheels inboard it would have been too high which would have meant having a much longer, and heavier, tail ramp.

The folder is an awesome bit of kit and its more than paid for itself over the last year! It will handle upto 2.5mm @ 2.55M long, fold pans/boxes to 6inch deep and it will bend smaller lengths of 3-4mm steel once you have your porridge

 

[the snooper]

the pivot point for the axle is a 750Kg rated stub axle welded onto a suspension mounting plate that is bolted onto another plate welded onto 50x50x5mm box - so not going anywhere!

jobs a good un then, was just wondering what you had done as we couldnt see it from the photographs

 

[feen]

You need 40x40x2.5 shs for the stubs and even then it's neat. Then the stub needs a grove to fit over the weld seam inside.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Couple of points: Does the swing axle system count as suspension under the law? There seem to be no springs involved. Relying on the tyres? If a 'road' hump moves both the wheels together, the load on the pivot will be severe.

And the cargo wt. is taken by your perimeter angle without any support to the top frame, which looks much stiffer. A vertical post and diagonals to the next vertical members would increase the rigidity of this area.

I used to do a lot of this, but before any of the regs being quoted, so a bit rusty.
KF

 

[feen]

Mudguards?

 

[gav0994]

Mudguards?

the mudguards will be fitted onto the axle beams so there is no chance of the wheels hitting them.

 

[gav0994]

And the cargo wt. is taken by your perimeter angle without any support to the top frame, which looks much stiffer. A vertical post and diagonals to the next vertical members would increase the rigidity of this area.

KF

the trailer is purpose made to carry a 500Kg argocat off-road vehicle, so it won't be carrying a massive load. the top frame 60x40 is connected to the bottom angle frame with 60x40 box at all 4 corners and there is also 4 40x40 angle uprights, 2 each side connecting the top frame to the bottom frame along with 8 guage 2 inch square mesh welded to the top and bottom frames. 60x40 A-frame goes from the front cross-member all the way back to the axle which again provides plenty of strength.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Gav, I can see the load being spread by the A-frame at the forward section. Just the point load from the axle onto the angle frame, without a vertical to the top frame above it, concerned me about the overhang at the rear. But, as you say, not a great load at 500kg.
KF

Maybe I just like triangulation.

 

[T.E.D. Jordan]

Any completed pics?

Jordan

 

[gav0994]

Any completed pics?

Jordan

Should have some up tomorrow sometime - had a few alterations to make to it on behalf of the client!