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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
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    4,779

    Default Extending trailer stub axles?

    Hi all,

    I'm in the process of building an hydraulic log splitter and I'm at the stage of attaching the axles to the frame. To keep the design as simple as possible, I have opted not to have any suspension and will weld the axles to the frame at a pre-determined point where there is a cross member. I estimate that the finished splitter will be around the 600Kg mark and with the wheels in this position should provide me with a ball weight of about 60 - 65Kg. The supporting trailer frame is based loosely on a 5x3 trailer but with a slightly longer drawbar in order to house the 1.6L corolla motor and it's radiator.

    The frame is made from 100x50x3mm RHS.

    For the axles, I have a couple of re-purposed stub axles that are 200mm long. Thye came off another trailer that has since been scrapped but it would be a shame to not use some of the parts such as the wheels, hitch etc. Only issue is these stub axles came from a home made independent susppenson and are not long enough for my use. Ideally, I would like to make them a single axle by a legitimate joining method. Bare in mind that if they are joined, the joint will end up roughly where the axle extends past the trailer frame.
    Can these two axles be safely joined by housing inside a piece of substantial square tube of sufficient wall thickness, using decent welds? 20180223_215221.jpg

    Any suggestions or advice is much appreciated.

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Sutherland Shire, Sydney
    Posts
    24

    Default

    Might have missed something Simone but if you are going to tow this at more than say 20kmh and or on the road etc then Id put a set of springs under it, less shock on everything, longer life etc, cant answer the question on joining the axels, prob just easier to buy an axle that matches your hubs,

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Loxton
    Age
    54
    Posts
    37

    Default

    Legalities aside as I am not sure of those, sure you can extend the spindles with a piece of tube. Back in the day that was how lots of trailer axles were made, you bought stubs and added tube to suit. As to the lack of suspension, also going back a few years now, around this area we had single axle trailers that held a bin full of approx 1500kg of citrus, solid axle, no suspension, no brakes and they used to tow them 2 at a time one behind the other fishtailing down the road. Dangerous as all hell but best I remember no one died

    If its going on road best check the legalities in your state.

    Cheers Andrew

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    I've done just what you are planning to do on my first ever trailer (still in use). It has been overloaded to bu99ery many times and the tubular axle is still straight.
    On the other hand, I have seen many solid axles with sub axles welded on the OUTSIDE. It allows you to make good long deeply prepared multi-pass welds you can inspect, compared to a single weld on the outside edge of the tube,+ or - a few plug welds through holes in the tube..... As Leigh said, without suspension of some kind, you are only ever going to move it around your yard and on and off your trailer, not on the road.
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Hi Simon, what you're proposing to do is quite normal, have googled a few pics for you. The drop varies according to the cutomers wishes, a semi drop, is where the stub is welded on top of the rest of the axle. You then have a ?" dropped axle which is where the axle is welded onto the axle with drop down plates of what size is required.
    The beaut part about using this type of axle arrangement, is that the trailer can be set up level, and the drop worked out , particularly in your case, where the axle will be welded to the trailer.
    It's perfectly legal, provided that it's done correctly, if arc welding, make sure that there are no slag inclusions, particularly if you're planning on taking it on the road, in which case I'd put some sort of suspension under it, otherwise it'll rattle everything loose.
    If it's going to be for around the yard type of thing, DON'T lend it to anyone, unless you know it's going on a trailer. DAMHIKT.
    Dropped Axle 2.jpg
    Dropped trailer axle.jpg
    Dropped trailer axle 1.jpg
    Hope this helps,
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Thanks everyone. The issue of no suspension does not worry me. It will mostly be used around my home however, I can't see why it cannot be towed as required. I have looked at many commercially made log splitters, some selling for over $10,000 and they don't have any suspension either.
    https://www.tradefarmmachinery.com.a...-ws4150-495816

    I was originally proposing to use some leaf spring suspension but it would have become a lot more complex. I then started looking at commercially available splitters and realised that none of them have suspension anyway.

    WRT joining axles, I also found this on trailer sauce which is what prompted my question here but I wanted to hear what others have to say..

    Trailer Sauce :: Building a Straight Beam Axle - Shim Method

    Kryn, The method you suggested may be a good work around. I will have to have a look at the trailer heights etc. I had calculated for the axles to be welded under the cross member which would give me the calculated height of my worktable of about 950mm.

    Cheers,

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    South of Adelaide
    Posts
    1,225

    Default

    Although i cant find it in VSB1 i'm pretty sure any trailer for use on the road must have suspension. I think the splitters you have seen are designed to be towed around a farm at low speed.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    Hi Snapatap,

    I can't make comment either way about the regs because I have not actually looked. However, I find it hard to believe that someone would build a commercially made log splitter and sell it as legally towable and charge $17,500 if it were not actually legal...

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HYDRAULI...p2047675.l2557

    Even the splitter I attached above states this:

    Construction Specifications
    Rugged heavy duty construction for a lifetime of trouble free use. Covered by 2 years warranty
    Approved 50mm, 2000kg rated cast iron coupling
    185 x 14 wheels & hubs. Handles all towing requirements

    Neither of the above have suspension. I'm thinking I'm pretty safe?

    Edit: I just looked at this document:

    VicRoads' Registration requirements for light trailers manufactured ...

    There is no reference to suspension requirements.

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Loxton
    Age
    54
    Posts
    37

    Default

    If you start to look around at all the things that are driven and towed on the road that don't have suspension you might be surprised how many there are. Around here tote bins for catching grapes from the grape harvesters are on the road all the time, no suspension on those, field bins, tractors, forklifts, earthmoving machinery........................ A bit like the proposed log splitter, non of these things are primarily meant to be on the road, but they get registered and driven on the road a little or a lot.

    I would be pretty surprised if suspension was an absolute requirement for a trailer.

    Cheers Andrew

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    moonbi nsw Aus
    Age
    69
    Posts
    364

    Default

    I followed a Chipper towed behind a 5 tonne truck on the highway. I was surprised to see it had no suspension! I don't know what weight it would have been but it was a tree surgeon's truck so I would assume that it was heavy. It seemed to travel fairly well but in corrugations at speed it may jump around a bit.

    Just an aside....what grade of steel would trailer axle be? 4140? (Just for my own information)
    Just do it!

    Kind regards Rod

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    4,779

    Default

    HiChambezio,

    I'm not sure the grade are of the particular ones I have but on my travels throught the net looking for information, I read that trailer axle steel range anywhere from mild steel (cheapie) to medium carbon steel such as 1045. It stated that anything harder than 1045 would potentially crack as it would not have the ability to flex with stresses encountered in normal use.

    Simon
    Girl, I don't wanna know about your mild-mannered alter ego or anything like that." I mean, you tell me you're, uh, super-mega-ultra-lightning babe? That's all right with me. I'm good. I'm good.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Years ago, when I worked for a trailer place that made their own axles, the steel was called Duraflex this was about 45 years ago.

    Copied this from the site below, if it helps.
    This article explains the difference between DuraFlex and Mild Steel. More information can be found in the Article on Steel Grades.
    What is Duraflex | call DIECUT on (03) 9544-9920

    Duraflex (or Grade K1042 or K1045*)
    *grade K1042 – made in Australia or New Zealand
    *grade K1045 – made Overseas

    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Posts
    357

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by chambezio View Post
    I followed a Chipper towed behind a 5 tonne truck on the highway. I was surprised to see it had no suspension!
    Wouldnt be surprised if it had a torsion axle, nearly all the chippers on the road have these
    Cheers

    DJ

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    formerly from Sydney (north of The Harbour), NSW, Oz
    Age
    68
    Posts
    306

    Default

    From Utility Trailer Axles, Spring Vs. Torsion: What's The Big Deal?
    Torsion axles excel in applications like:

    • Unusually bumpy or rough roads
    • High vibration applications (like wood chippers)
    regards from Canmore

    ian

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    formerly from Sydney (north of The Harbour), NSW, Oz
    Age
    68
    Posts
    306

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by simonl View Post
    Edit: I just looked at this document:

    VicRoads' Registration requirements for light trailers manufactured ...

    There is no reference to suspension requirements.
    Hi Simon, you did realise that that document refers to requirements for light trailers manufactured before July 1991 ?
    regards from Canmore

    ian

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