French frogs

[frmboyinthecity]

bud, I recently built one for my in laws for Christmas.  It was 4'X8'.

I took a 5/8" diameter all thread, that was cut to 5" long.  drilled my hole in the lower 2x4 runner, and placed one nut and washer on inside, one nut and washer on the out side of the 2x4, then the caster would slide on to the all thread, and place another nut on after that.  I also located the holes for near center of gravity balance.  I used pneumatic casters, since they would be removable.

So you just used the pneumatic tire rather than the entire caster assembly? Like a hand truck wheel?

 

[Tumbling K]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pneumatic-wheel-10-in?cm_vc=-10005

exaclty. the all thread nuts and washers are cheap.

locate near the center of the tractor, and its easy moving. at the most only have to lift one side at a time to place the wheel on.

 

[frmboyinthecity]

Gah, those are pricey... absolutely not on the 2nd ones... those will bog down in wet grass quicker than spit in a puddle... 1st ones are nice, but I'd look more for solid lawn mower tires... and just use 2, tilt the coop and roll... if you use 4, then a hand brake can be madw with a 1x1 on a swivel... jmo...

They are really expensive. I've been thinking about the 2 as well. I'll come up with some options and then message her and see what she wants. If she's willing to pay enough to cover the cost of these, I'll put them on

 

[Tumbling K]

oh and they also have an 8" wheel, that is only $15 each.

 

[frmboyinthecity]

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/pneumatic-wheel-10-in?cm_vc=-10005

exaclty. the all thread nuts and washers are cheap.

locate near the center of the tractor, and its easy moving. at the most only have to lift one side at a time to place the wheel on.

I could make that work fairly easily with my design, I think.

 

[Tumbling K]

the problem with the caster, is how high you'd have to raise the tractor to be able to move it. and the hard tires, will sink in the soft ground.

the problem with the design, similar to a wheel barrow, is you have to lift 75-90 percent of the tractor weight, then you still have to move it.


if you spend a little time finding the C.O.G. of the tractor(think 2x4 under the bottom frame, and move until it balances), you can make it so that it nearly balances when the tires are on.

 

[Ravynscroft]

They are really expensive. I've been thinking about the 2 as well. I'll come up with some options and then message her and see what she wants. If she's willing to pay enough to cover the cost of these, I'll put them on

There ya go... if they're willing to pay for it, let them decide, lol... coops are pricey even to build... I've really skipped cosmetics for functional and pratical anymore... cost is my first thought after the first couple...

 

[frmboyinthecity]

There ya go... if they're willing to pay for it, let them decide, lol... coops are pricey even to build... I've really skipped cosmetics for functional and pratical anymore... cost is my first thought after the first couple...

I understand that. I can see the appeal, but I just care about functionality on my own. I scavenge pallet wood for the coops, but they still take time and work to put together...

 

[scflock]

So you just used the pneumatic tire rather than the entire caster assembly? Like a hand truck wheel?

I had a customer request that, and it was a wonderful idea. Don't buy the $60 ones. Chances are the coop will only be moved once or twice. I also learned not to put swiveling wheels on them, it makes them too hard to steer. I started using 5 inch fixed wheels, non pneumatic, and they do a fine job for $15 each

 

[scflock]

With those wheels, I cut 7inches off the rear legs, mounted 2 wheels in their place, and they worked just fine. I built two handles on the front that could be used to lift and pull the coop