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ebinmaine

Pole trailer (re)build

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ebinmaine

Back about 8 or 9 years ago I built a pole trailer for pulling logs out of our forest. 

The main beam is 8 feet. The usable cargo area is just under 6 feet. 

It was a great experiment but I never did get the axle quite right. Too light duty.  

After using it for a season or three we decided it was easier to get the Monster Splitter down in the forest and process the firewood near where each tree 🌳 was felled. 

 

That trailer has been setting idle since. 

I've mulled over adding a flat floor and  sides but we have the two normal yard trailers already.  

 

Over the years we've cleared LOTS of forest pathways and cleared the whole area around the garden. 

Nowadays we have more space to work. 

 

We've decided to revisit the idea of pulling 5 to 10 foot logs up to the front yard where the splitter is usually setting. 

 

Here's a video showing the thoughts. 

 

 

 

The first repair/ modification is to make an axle that can hold a load.  

A few years ago I had a friend make this angle iron cross frame.

My intention was to weld a pair of axle stubs to it. 

I've never welded anything this thick and my welding "skills"  -  aren't.  

I could and should learn but I have no materials to practice on and likely won't tackle anything this thick again soon. 

 

After studying the situation for a bit I decided this could absolutely be bolted. 

I drilled a plethora of holes 🕳 in  various areas and depths today.  

 

 

Here it is on the hand truck I used to drag it up from down back. I was in thinkerin' mode.  

20250723_182903.jpg.6dc3d1e8934fa879f4980a6de57a1d7e.jpg

 

 

20250726_110947.jpg.54258294bfc5d39d9ee8a5eaa9e2d651.jpg

 

 

Here I've removed the remnants of the old axle and its attachment points. 

I removed and replaced many of the bolts. 

20250726_145805.jpg.26cf45f1eda0e2c69858fdf5c3840632.jpg

 

 

I drilled (3)  1/2" diameter holes in each axle stub. Also drilled 3 matching holes in the support brace. 

 

20250726_154957.jpg.87d44c85ebfba97c1aecd8c45ffda84d.jpg

 

There will be one more long bolt 🔩 in the empty holes 🕳 of each axle stub. 

20250726_172607.jpg.739ffaeb8bdb5944e4f03b0247b298c8.jpg

 

 

 

 

The metal cross brace is held to the wooden one by several bolts going into and /or through both. 

Tomorrow I'll see about getting wheels on it.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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JoeM

The bolt in axles will allow easy design changes if necessary. :thumbs:

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ebinmaine
6 minutes ago, JoeM said:

The bolt in axles will allow easy design changes if necessary. :thumbs:

 

Yessir. 

Another one of the reasons I prefer bolt 🔩 together assembly on most things. 

 

I figure in this case if the idea functions well but the bolts are the weak link I'll have a friend weld it properly.  

I really don't believe the fasteners will fail with our intended use.  

 

 

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ebinmaine

Found some wheels & tires to use yesterday afternoon. This morning I got the lug holes touched up to 1/2" and mounted them on the trailer. 

Also order the last couple bolts from Bolt Depot.  

 

20250727_080828.jpg.5688025d7e7faddb5b65f07eeb46f13b.jpg

 

 

20250727_090223.jpg.7bf91bdcf4026e92f0bfa5a1448351da.jpg

 

 

 

 

It measures 44.5" across the widest bulge of the tires. Tread center to center is 38".

 

17536213882134713655301743308691.jpg.6a297b91e5442915ba2879e9895e81f5.jpg

 

 

 

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Lee1977

Your going to haul up 12'  logs for Trina to finish sawing and sptitting for fire wood. That your plan? :ychain:

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ebinmaine
17 minutes ago, Lee1977 said:

Your going to haul up 12'  logs for Trina to finish sawing and sptitting for fire wood. That your plan? :ychain:

 

 

I can hope.....

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ebinmaine

 

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