Powered jockey wheels and dollies

[charleville]

One thing that stops my buying a bigger boat is that the big boats have big tandem trailers that would be pretty well impossible for me to back into the boat spot beside my house. This is because backing it has to be done around a bend from the front gate through a tightish turning circle.


I have just discovered that that should now be less of a concern to me because there are technology answers to that problem. Have a look at the video on this website ... http://www.bringaboatalong.com.au/powered-jockey-wheel/

What a beauty! :cool:


It turns out that there are lots of powered dollies that can be used to push a boat into a tight space. http://www.powermoverinc.net/htmls/pmaccarts.html

When you Google these things, you find heaps of suppliers in the USA and even some plans for homemade versions. I never knew of them - I always thought that a gutsy lawn tractor might be the answer but these things look pretty good.


Gee whizz! Nothing is impossible! :smiley:



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[Noelm]

most of them are very good, but some are useless on anything but concrete, on grass they just don't have traction, a tow ball on the front of your car is a good thing for tight corners (as long as it is practical to fit one of course)

[finga]

I used to have something like this when I worked.
It would be perfect for the HUGE boat Bruce. No traction problems :cheesy:
Mine was a bit smaller and could fit in a 7x4 trailer.
Just take the digging chain off and weld a towball on the end of the boom and hey Presto :smiley:

[Jarrah Jack]

There was one for sale in the classifieds not long ago.

[charleville]

I used to have something like this when I worked.

Well, the noise of that thing would sure keep the neighbours on their toes in the mornings. Heheheh!


When I look at the video, I keep worrying that the bloke is going to put his foot under the tracks. :grin:


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[Chimo]

My neighbour has one and gave me a demo when he moved his tandem 24 or 26 ft van ie through his front gate and then thru 90 degrees and up a pair of ramps ie to make his sloping concreted yard level.

He has the solid ground wheel version and its pretty useless on grass and apparently the rough ground / grass one is not too good on concrete with a heavy van.

To get the van around thru 90 degrees involved a number of short pulls with the unit disconnected after the van dolly wheel was engaged and then the process was repeated about 4 time I think to move it to the required position.

They cannot move tandem (vans anyway) except in almost straightish lines but this one ($2,500s worth) did what it does pretty well. It would be better with a lighter boat no doubt. Probably the off road road / concrete tyre version would be better for boats moving across some concrete and some lawn, I think.

Cheers
Chimo

[cormorant]

Mate has a old 5hp briggs or was 3.5hp villiers on a rotary hoe , old steel gearbox from a v belt and a low range via a larger pulley. Have a look on eprey as they are tough and a lot of people have lost tynes etc so they are no longer any use as a hoe so they are spare parts value . Works a treat with ag tyres and a tractor weight on it along with wheel weights it already had . You still have to be quick with the electric brakes as 3t gets speed up fast but with towball weight over drive wheels it doesn't slip!! Cheap and no maintainance

[finga]

Well, the noise of that thing would sure keep the neighbours on their toes in the mornings. Heheheh!


When I look at the video, I keep worrying that the bloke is going to put his foot under the tracks. :grin:


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Mine was a lot newer and very quite.
The hydraulics were great because you could select the speed you wanted and you could (in this case) raise the front of the boat up for draining/drying after cleaning.
It would turn on it self too but that would rip the lawn to shreds.

I initially brought it to plant a heap on trees on the old farm. It was brilliant for that :smiley:

[Flex]

If your tight for space and it's limiting you buying a larger boat. Then there is only 1 clear solution.

Move house

[charleville]

If your tight for space and it's limiting you buying a larger boat. Then there is only 1 clear solution.

Move house

Thank you for your really useful suggestion. :rolleyes:



I cannot move my house because it is bolted down. :grin:



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[finga]

I cannot move my house because it is bolted down. :grin:
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Would you like a lend of a 12" shifter??
I might even be able to find a socket if that's any better.

Just move it to the ramp carpark and jobs done. No parking problems and no rates.

You have to think outside the square.

[charleville]

Would you like a lend of a 12" shifter??
I might even be able to find a socket if that's any better.

I have a 12" shifter and a good socket set, thanks. :tongue:

It is just that it is so heavy and my arms are not big enough to hold it.


:grin:


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[Live4Fishin]

I actually have one, its made here in aus in wa, called an aussie wheel i have the AW2. pulls my 5.2m plate boat around on the grass very well, its the only way i can get my boat around the side of my house. was around $2000, alot of $$ at the time but cant do with out it now and it saves my back so witwas money well spent

beau:smiley:

[charleville]

Thanks Live4Fishin.

What is it like on a slope, please?


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[The-easyrider]

I saw a vid recently of a caravan with a set up on it where the van was parked with a remote control. It had drive set ups on the van wheels. Proberly would not like being dunked in salt water though