Wheel Recommendations

[mstacy]

Has anybody found a particular type, model or year of wheels, hubs, etc that would make a good starting point for building a skidding arch? I’m going to build one soon for Stanley and Earl (8 month old devons). I need to develop alternate means of transport as sledding weather is will be drawing to a close … though so far March is holding out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Something that can be scavenged from a junkyard at reasonable expense would be ideal.

I’d also like to hear about things you may have tried that didn’t work as well as hoped.

Regards,

Matt Stacy
W. Topsham, VT

[Ira]

Spindles out of old manure spreaders work pretty good.

[Gabe Ayers]

The fellow that makes our logging arches uses spindles from the trailer supply place, but they can be bought at the farm supply place too. They are 5 lug, 4-1/2″ center to center, holes that are the common pattern for Ford and Dodge wheels. These are some of the more common sizes and are available from most junkyards. At one time that bolt pattern could be had in a 15 and 16 inch rim size that allows for an adjustment of the point of draft according to the height of your team. As long as you have good rims for whatever size spindle you have you are in business. We also weld a piece of pipe around the value stem to keep it from inevitably being knocked off in the brush.

The blueprints and complete materials list are available on our HHFF web site in a pdf file that may be downloaded for free. There are views from several angles and even a 3-D look at the device. Good luck with your woods work.

[mstacy]

Jason,

I downloaded the plans from your site a few months back. Thanks for the advice on wheels too.

Matt

[CIW]

I don’t have any experience building an arch but had some thoughts.
The larger diameter a wheel the easier it turns.
I was thinking that if you were to salvage a pair of front spindles from a wrecked 2 ton truck. They commonly have 18 or 20 inch rims. That would give some more ground clearance. Also it spreads the weight over more surface area with the larger tires making it less apt to sink in soft ground and it would roll over the deadfall easier.
I guess they would also come with brakes if you wanted to set them up.

[near horse]

Hey Matt,

Gempler’s supply has spindles w/ the bearings and hubs for about $60 ea or $120/pr. They’re online. Be careful because they also sell ag spindle/hub assemblies but the bolt pattern of the hubs only take ag rims – not Ford/Dodge …. So Jason’s guy is probably right in using 15 – 4.5’s the wheels are pretty cheap at your tire store (stock ones pulled off rigs that got shiny wheels).

Also, check your local RV place – if they repair them, they often have to replace axles because RV’ers tend to bend them – spindles are fine. In fact my local guy said just take the one they had laying there w/ 3500# spindles on it. They just haul them for scrap. Good luck.

[Author]

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