Converting sprung axled grain trailer to rigid axles

[pellow]

I have a 12 ton ACE grain trailer, the springs and running gear is worn out, I'm thinking of welding lorry axles rigid without suspension, has anyone done this? Someone I asked said that Staines trailers are made like this? The trailer does not do much as is used for back up at harvest. The trailer has a sprung drawbar if that is important

Thanks

 

[startinghandle]

Not a good idea

 

[Sausage]

You wouldn’t be able to weld the two axles solid to the chassis as if you went over a bump or the tractor drawbar wasn’t set perfectly for a specific loaded condition one axle would be taking the vast majority or even all of the trailer weight. At the minimum a rocker is required to allow both axles to take the weight evenly and follow the contours of the ground.

You may need to strengthen the chassis to account for single point loading associated with a rocker

I think it will be easier and cheaper to replace the running gear

 

[goodevans]

You wouldn’t be able to weld the two axles solid to the chassis as if you went over a bump or the tractor drawbar wasn’t set perfectly for a specific loaded condition one axle would be taking the vast majority or even all of the trailer weight. At the minimum a rocker is required to allow both axles to take the weight evenly and follow the contours of the ground.

You may need to strengthen the chassis to account for single point loading associated with a rocker

I think it will be easier and cheaper to replace the running gear

Or trailer

 

[Colliedog]

New springs, bearings and brakes are actually very reasonable what make are the axles? We used to have a bowser with axles welded to the chassis the front axle didn’t quite touch the ground the wheels would gradually pick up speed as it bounced then kept turning when you stopped at a junction ?

 

[pellow]

Is it correct that Staines makes trailers with rigid axles?

 

[Pebd99]

Got a 38 cu/m silage trailer that’s got the axles welded to the chassis. Not a good idea it tears up the ground bad when turning and the commercial 130mm axles are bent now with the bouncing. Springs and new hangers aren’t even £500 for a full set.

 

[Rs chunk]

I have a 12 ton ACE grain trailer, the springs and running gear is worn out, I'm thinking of welding lorry axles rigid without suspension, has anyone done this? Someone I asked said that Staines trailers are made like this? The trailer does not do much as is used for back up at harvest. The trailer has a sprung drawbar if that is important

Thanks

Be less hassle to change your trailer

 

[startinghandle]

In the event of road accident you won't be covered by insurance

 

[Two Tone]

I had a similar problem with a 10 ton MF trailer (no idea who actually manufactured it). We did away with the twin walking axles altogether and fitted a single lorry rear axle with twin wheels, rather than super-singles each side, bought from a lorry scrap/salvage yard. It had no springs and it worked fine with no more punctures either.

 

[Sharpy]

A man near here had a BWA trailer bought new with two commercial axles welded on. A dangerous pig of a thing, either the loaded trailer transferred all the weight onto the tractor or none.

 

[fermerboy]

I have seen a nearly new Staines bale trailer with fixed axles.
Followed it along the road, seemed rough as hell, bouncing about, thats why I actually noticed.
Personally I'd either fit lorry axles with springs or make a set of rocking beams instead.

 

[Mur Huwcun]

The easiest bodge would be a pair of axles and springs off a HGV trailer. If you can get the chassis or just the part they’re welded onto aswell weld offcuts from one hanger to another before cutting them off and wheel the lot under your trailer. You may have to play about to get the height correct and fiddle with wheel offsets to clear the chassis and maintain correct width.

 

[Horn&corn]

We’ve got a 12 year old Staines with welded axles. Strong as an ox but the bounce has gradually destroyed the wood bed and definitely wouldn’t buy another like it or have it on a tipper. Next one will probably run on air suspension! If just round yard then fine I guess