I have a trailer that we use to haul a 12k# excavator around. The ramps we have currently are made of 4″ U channel but have began to bend with the weight of the machine. The ramps are removable and making the channel bigger would make it prohibitive to move them because of the weight. i am wondering if we could make ramps out of Aluminum that would be lighter but stronger than what we are currently using. Ive seen semi trailers made of aluminum so I knwo the strength could be acheived but is it practicle?
Where should i go with this question? Any advice or thoughts?
Justin
Replies
Why not reduce the span of your rafters? Add a leg at mid span that would touch the ground, maybe an inch or so too long. be sure to put a plate on the bottom so it won't sink in the soil.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Add a leg at mid span that would touch the ground, Thats the way everybody here does. but most are not removeable, they just fold up. some are hydraulic. 2+3=7
Why not reduce the span of your rafters? Add a leg at mid span that would touch the ground, maybe an inch or so too long. be sure to put a plate on the bottom so it won't sink in the soil.
thats what we have always done but we do it mid leg too short ... maybe an inch so it has to flex to hit the ground... that way if the ground is not flat you aren't bending your ramp the other way with weight on it...
crowned up is also good...
p
Boxing out the U channel & adding cross supports will help tremendously!
If you look at the ramps on big trailers, they're usually crowned upward. 4" U channel isn't heavy enough for what you're doing.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Edited 3/6/2006 11:15 pm by highfigh