8" wheels on 4'x8' tractor - FAIL

[javapop]

I'll post a photo or 2 shortly. This is a nice little house that I'm converting to a tractor design. Tried several ideas with some 8" lawnmower wheels, so far the wheels are bowing out a bit when weight hits them. I have found a few ideas on this site; but nothing solid yet.

I do appreciate the wisdom represented here, thanks!

We are in a small rural community, and hoping to have our first hens this summer.

Oh, the design I was following loosely was from this site

 

[javapop]

Here are a few photos!









Looks like the choice of scrap wood may have been my big issue... it snapped just now when trying to lift one side.

 

[javapop]

Here's an update to our Chicken Tractor project, we got it working using some stronger boards; but this horse must be pretty heavy, I had to use my tiller to help move it. One of the boards broke again, so I may have to try something altogether different. Where is the best place on this site to ask about hens, and what kind to get, what we need.... etc?

 

[4 the Birds]

Your wheels and axle set-up look a little skimpy in my opinion. I think that larger pneumatic tires may work better with a real beefy lower frame. I don't have a chicken tractor but I always thought that the 4 wheel tractors are logical if they are to be moved around much. You could post questions in the "Managing your Flock" forum for chicken questions or try here and hopefully get a few tips.

 

[vickichicki]

Do you have a lawn mower repair shop near by? They might have some junk pneumatic front wheels from broken ride on mowers. New ones can be a bit pricey.

I would defiantly add some extra framing for stability on the wheel end. Lifting it up is creating pressure on the wheel end of the frame, which is where I am assuming it is breaking.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

The wheels you have were never meant to carry that much weight.
They are spreading because you have them too far out from the frame

 

[Jo Anne]

Here is ours it is about 8 ft long, but the plans said you can change the length by changing board sizehttp://www.backyardchickens.com/t/768946/our-finished-tractor#post_10955904