Question about wheels for chicken tractor

[jjb1953]

Hi all.
I posted a few weeks back re converting old coop to tractor.
Here is the original thread
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/791591/converting-old-coop-into-a-chicken-tractor
I found a set of four 8 inch pneumatic wheels on ebay for a great price.
Unfortunately one of the wheels broke (from the weld seam) as soon as we started to pull it.
See last pic from the above thread.
I am not sure if the wheel was just defective or if the coop was just too heavy for 8" wheels.

A few of questions I have are

1. when speaking about weight capacity of a wheel, such as 200 to 300 lbs, if you have four wheels, does that mean the total capacity is 800 to 1200 lbs? Or is it still 200 to 300lbs no matter how many wheels you are using?

2. would switching to 10" wheel be ok or should we go to 12". Trying to stick with the least expensive.

3. looking at the broken wheel, do you think the load was just too heavy ... or did we get a weak wheel?

Thanks

Jen

 

[Chick Charm]

Yes, Go with stronger wheels. It is not just eh weight but the pounding it takes pulling around uneven earth. The wheels may not have broke if the coop was on smooth concrete.

Wish you the best.

 

[RWD]

It looks like it was a defective wheel. The larger wheel will not do anything to increase the load bearing ability of each wheel. Use a minimum 300 lb. capacity wheel (total of 1200 lbs. capacity with 4 wheels.). It has been my experience that solid wheels are much better than pneumatic. Any tires that sit for long periods will go flat.

 

[jjb1953]

Thanks for your replies.

RWD, I was just looking at your portable coops.
How much do those weigh and how to you push them around?

 

[RWD]

The 6x14 weighs around 550 lbs. and can be pushed forward by 2 people, or pulled forward by lawnmower or 4 wheeler.