Best wheels for chicken tractor? Where to look?

[gg706]

I used 8" lawn mower tires from lowes they have a steel inside not plastic. They have held up well. I used 1/2 X 4 1/2 long hex bolts to attach the wheels on with multiple washers to get the wheel out away from the wood on the tractor then put 1 washer and a nut to tighten the wheel down. I am going to do a similar design on my grazing tractor to lift the wheels up or down as I move it every day. I am going to use a 2X4 instead of a metal bar though. I am going to drill a hole in the 2X4 and attach the wheel then drill a hole in the 2X4 on the tractor and pull the 2X4 up to engage the wheel and insert another 1/2 X4 1/2 bolt with a wing nut to tighten the bolt down to lift the tractor up and put the wheel to the ground to move the tractor. Then when I get it where I want it undo the wing nuts and lower the wheels down. Seems like alot of trouble to do one wheel at a time but I did not do this on my grazing tractor and BOY moving it is a NIGHTMARE!!!!! Putting the wheels up to move it and back down seems so much easier than what I have been doing. I just havent had time to get it done. It will certainly be easier to build it with movable wheels from the start. I have not put this into practice but I think it will work pretty well. Hope I helped a little.


edited to add my wheels at lowes were like $10.00 each

 

[notiones]

I cannot post the plans to this forum as they are not open source. Hopefully the pictures provide enough information though. It is really a very simple design. If not, you can purchase the plans at http://www.chickenmobilestagecoach.com/ They are excellent plans and worth the $$. I bought my wheels at Harbor Freight. I believe they are the smallest pneumatic you can buy. You'll save $$ by doing so and the pneumatic tires make moving the tractor very simple. If you don't buy plans, just make sure you know where the center of gravity is so that when the wheels are in the down position, the entire coop is well balanced. Otherwise it will be difficult to move. You want it to move so easy to move an eight year old could do it. My only other piece of advice would be to NOT use larger wheels. So many people told me while I was building my tractor that I should use bigger wheels, but the concept would not work had I done so. The trick to keeping the coop easy to move is by choosing the center of gravity very carefully. And by using pneumatic tires. Hope this helps some.

 

[countrygirl52]

I would love to have the link for plans for these tractor wheels. I can't quite make it all out from the picture.

 

[countrygirl52]

Thanks. I did purchase the plans from mobile stagecoach. I didn't realize these were the same. Just trying to come up with the best arrangement. Thanks for the speedy response!

 

[blueyedgurl1]

Notiones....What size bolts did you use for the tires? We have done this and although it works well, the tires bow out and we're thinking the bolts are the wrong type. We have finished the tractor and placed the girls in it. This site has been so helpful to us. A big thank you to all.

 

[notiones]

Did the bolts bend?

There was a little play in mine too, but once they were engaged, i.e. wheels down, they were sturdy enough. To answer your question though, I used one foot of threaded 5/8" rod stock cut in half. One half for each side.

Place a flat washer, lock washer, and nut onto the end of one of the pieces of rod stock. Leave about 1/4" on the end and slide into the wheel assembly hole in the frame. From the outside install a flat washer, lock washer and nut. Tighten down very snug. Now follow with another nut on the outside to really lock everything down. Next place a flat washer against the two outside nuts, slide on the wheel assembly, another flat washer, lock washer, and nut. Tighten securely.

If you still have play, perhaps your arm assembly is too weak. Just a thought.

Hope this helps.

<a href="https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/i/4880524/uploads/sort/display_order/"><img src="https://www.backyardchickens.com/image/id/5911134/width/400/flags/LL"></a>

Not sure if the link will work, but it is a picture of my wheel assembly.

I'm still very happy I purchased the plans and would do so again.

By the way, in a temporary lapse of judgement, I sold my portable chicken tractor and have been kicking myself every since. Hopefully I can build another very soon. It really is a super design and even though I have many more chickens now than it can accommodate, it is superb for raising chicks. I keep moving it closer and closer to the big coop until finally the chicks make the move. Why did I sell it?

Here is a phto of the whole thing prior to the auto-waterer and feeder being installed.

<a href="https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/i/4880699/uploads/sort/display_order/"><img src="https://www.backyardchickens.com/image/id/5911318/width/400/flags/LL"></a>

 

[blueyedgurl1]

Thanks Notiones. My husband thinks it is the way he has them attached and has plans to redo. We did purchase the wheels from Harbor Freight and they were the least expensive of everywhere we checked even with shipping, plus....they were on sale!

 

[NuffSaid]

Notiones - <edited> Nevermind, I see it sold as a kit on the site you already linked.

I've tried this same type assembly using a wooden paddle type arm and it's just not strong enough. I'm not sure where to get metal arms with holes in them for the bolts, without having to buy an entire kit (I already have wheels, bolts, etc).

 

[notiones]

I bought square metal tubing from the hardware store and drilled the holes myself. They also sold caps for the tube ends to keep moisture out.

 

[NuffSaid]

Thanks for the response! I looked online and it appears that Home Depot carries the square metal tubing and will cut to length for you. They should also have the cobalt drill bit I'll need to drill the holes. I probably have more trial and error cost in these wheels than I would have spent just buying a kit... but I'm determined!