[AT] Weekend issues

Mon Sep 19 18:57:39 PDT 2016

Dennis, to borrow on Farmer's idea, what if you were to make a 
sandwiched beam with (2) 2 x 8's screwed together with a plywood center 
as a stiffener? Like a load bearing header.

Mike M

On 9/19/2016 7:40 PM, Dennis Johnson wrote:
> Farmer,
>
> I agree that there are many solutions to this, engineered wood (but they would not like rain or elements), store bought aluminum ramps if I locked them in place, steel ramps, and combinations of wood and steel. Custom cut from a mill with full 2" thickness might be the best option if I can find a mill and take some time to go get them. Maybe it is time to switch to 2 X 12 boards but will need to carry them on edge because I do not want to have mower offset too much to the side.
>
> What is frustrating is that I have used 2 X 8 or 2 X 10's for 20 plus years to load LAWN MOWERS. That is why Cecil's comment about good wood going outside the USA got me to thinking that he may have a valid point. I switched to 2 X 10's when I got mowers a little bit heavier than what I had 20 years ago. Every 5 to 10 years something happens and I need to replace the wood. The center support method has some issues on dealing with truck and trailer suspension flex. When I have something a bit heavier (like my Bolens 1502H) I had done the center support blocks.
>
> I like this method because they are reasonably light, cheap, weather resistant if treated. They are quick to put up and down. And I have a post welded to the trailer and a hole in one end of the ramp where I can just put them down over the pin and drive off with no worry. I have not had problems with anyone trying to steal a board.
>
> Another thing that bothers me is that the new board has about 1 inch of extra deflection compared to the old 2 X 10 that has aged 3 or 4 years.
>
> Thanks
> Dennis
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Sep 19, 2016, at 3:27 PM, Indiana Robinson <robinson46176 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> If I wanted wood ramp boards I think I would consider laminated engineered
>> lumber. Really strong stuff and no weak points.
>> If I ever was suspicious of loading boards / weight combinations I reduced
>> their length by half with blocks under the middle but with a warning.
>> Blocking under the middle can make one end or the other lift (and move) at
>> the end like at the truck bed. To prevent that movement the middle blocks
>> should be low enough that the middle of the boards can flex down a couple
>> of inches before contacting the support blocks. That keeps weight on both
>> ends of the board.
>> I needed a shortish pair of ramps for loading my Cub several years ago so I
>> made them out of a couple of pieces of light-ish "I" beam cut from a
>> removable mobile home hitch and used them flat. I cut a couple of 12"
>> pieces of an old "U" steel fence post and welded them across one end of
>> each ramp cup down. That sits on a support across the back of several
>> trailers. They will also work to roll logs onto my little Woodmizer sawmill
>> (if I ever get a chance to use it).
>> The Cub weighs about 1,800 pounds and it does not flex the ramps. They are
>> maybe 5' long.
>> I have not shown anything for several years but I think I can next year. I
>> finally completely quit the Atorvastatin and the Zetia both and at long
>> last actually feel like I am really healing. The Atorvastatin (Lipitor) was
>> really destructive on muscle tissue along with a whole basket-full of other
>> bad side effects. The Zetia was causing severe shortness of breath. My
>> regular Dr. is quite open minded about treatments but the cardiac folks all
>> seem to be playing a one string banjo... It largely involves a bad case of
>> denial of any side effects of those two drugs.If I croak more quickly from
>> not taking them it will still be better than the life I was living with the
>> side effects...
>> I could have asked son Scott to haul a tractor to a show and he has in the
>> past but he does a huge amount to keep us going as it is. He and I did
>> visit 3 nearby shows this summer together.
>> I saw a quote on-line this morning: "Sometimes it takes me all day to
>> accomplish nothing."  :-)
>>
>>
>> .
>>
>>> On Mon, Sep 19, 2016 at 1:07 PM, <tmehrkam at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> You need to borrow better equipment. :-}
>>>
>>>     On Monday, September 19, 2016 8:44 AM, Cecil Bearden <
>>> crbearden at copper.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Sounds like the typical quality problems we endure these days. Cover the
>>> bottom of those ramps with a 1/8 sheet of steel or aluminum and they
>>> will hold together.  All the good lumber in the US is shipped
>>> overseas.  We get the crap.  Those senders were probably made in China
>>> or India.  Parts houses don't carry the fittings they used to.  Hardware
>>> stores are the best bet on that now...
>>>
>>> Cecil in Okla
>>>
>>>
>>>> On 9/19/2016 12:42 AM, Dennis Johnson wrote:
>>>> All
>>>>
>>>> The last few days I have been hit with stupid little stuff.
>>>>
>>>> Borrowing my son's V10 Ram to haul some mowers to Okla. leaving 2 there
>>> with someone and hauling my Hustler back after doing some mowing there.
>>>> V10 failed an oil pressure sender Wednesday near Ennis Tx. Changed it
>>> out in parts store parking lot, which was not fun on hot engine. This
>>> morning on the way to church the replacement sender also failed, putting a
>>> small stream of oil out the electrical connection, just like the first one
>>> did. Got replacement under warranty, but went to 6 places looking for 1/8
>>> NPT 45 elbow and could not find. Want to move sensor so I can get a wrench
>>> or sender socket on it. Finally found short nipple and coupling that should
>>> move it away from block slightly. Tomorrow morning will try to install the
>>> second sensor when engine is cool before I start it.
>>>> Yesterday I snapped one of the blade spindle housings in two pieces on
>>> my Hustler Fastrack SD mower. Was able to fine some replacement parts just
>>> before store closed. Was able to finish mowing this afternoon.
>>>> This weekend the 2 X 10 ramps I use to load mower failed near a knot
>>> hole. Friday I got a new 2 X 10, and it snapped in two pieces on Saturday.
>>> Yesterday got a second replacement on that also.
>>>>
>>>> Dennis
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> AT mailing list
>>>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> AT mailing list
>>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> AT mailing list
>>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> -- 
>>
>> Francis Robinson
>> aka "farmer"
>> Central Indiana USA
>> robinson46176 at gmail.com
>> _______________________________________________
>> AT mailing list
>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>

---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus