Pullstart 62,843 #26 Posted April 3, 2023 4 minutes ago, Handy Don said: Planning on really tall chickens, eh? I’ve built two stationary coops now. One thing I’ve learned, is make it tall enough for peoples. I’m obviously not 8’ tall, but maybe some day this’ll be a layer coop - they’ll appreciate the height to roost 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,994 #27 Posted April 3, 2023 Or, what about a frame around the inside of the existing frame that can raise and lower and frames connected with something like EPDM rubber roofing. That way you can keep it as a fixed position with the wheels but much simpler to raise and lower the skirt! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #28 Posted April 3, 2023 4 minutes ago, wallfish said: raise and lower the skirt! woah now John Boy! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,550 #29 Posted April 3, 2023 (edited) This just in from one of Kevin's trail cams... He's gonna need a bigger coop... Edited April 3, 2023 by SylvanLakeWH 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #31 Posted April 4, 2023 The axle is mounted. Bracing is underway. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 6,999 #32 Posted April 5, 2023 Just got back from a trip to New Orleans, so I'm playing catch up on this project. Is there a floor like closure of some kind planned here, or are you intending to leave the bottom open? I'm likeing the idea of leaving the ride height of the frame constant and making a moveable floor or skirt. How good of a seal with the ground will you need to keep the chickens cooped? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,743 #33 Posted April 5, 2023 28 minutes ago, 8ntruck said: How good of a seal with the ground will you need to keep the varmints out of the coop 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #34 Posted April 5, 2023 @8ntruck @oliver2-44 the idea is that the floor will be open to the ground. I thought about attaching some chain link fencing to the outside. Critters don’t seem to prefer digging through that. Mice, they might happen regardless. I did some triangulation and truss work and I think I have a decent plan to lever the frame up and down. I have a massive gear reduction (two speed) manual winch. You can move the world, with a big enough lever! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #36 Posted April 12, 2023 Not a ton of progress on the chicken tractor. It’s future tenants are here though! We did loose the bird with a broken foot overnight. LPW (Lil’ Ping Wing) died doing what he loved, with a speck of food in his mouth. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #37 Posted April 12, 2023 The big video… 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #38 Posted June 2, 2023 It’s been a while, but the hawk that killed 3 chickens yesterday reminded me I need to get this project rolling (pun intended!) I have a 50x50’ poultry net on the way, along with plenty of various heavy tarps for sun shelter and safe guard from both winged and furry predators. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #39 Posted June 2, 2023 The simple lever lift works like a champ! My massive gear reduction winch will be laughing all the way to the bank lifting this rig! Now I need to duplicate it on the other end, with other dimensions. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #40 Posted June 2, 2023 Both ends are able to lever over a 4x4. Winning! I’m hot and tired. Break time… Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #41 Posted June 3, 2023 The graduation meat is off the smoker, so it’s time to start grinding and welding again. I am happy that my lift lever idea is functional on both sides. The fact that I can fairly easily lift both ends independently tells me that even adding 300 lbs of food and water potentially will still allow the winch to do it’s thing. I need to weld up a few tabs to contain the trailer axle lever, as it prefers to spit itself out after a couple reps, then find some pulleys to build the winch system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #42 Posted June 3, 2023 Concept: PROVEN! It lifts great! The winch has a standard reduction and a secondary reduction shaft. The secondary is not necessary. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 16,994 #43 Posted June 3, 2023 28 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Concept: PROVEN! SWEEEEET Oh the joy of accomplishment. It gives sort of a "high" when your backyard engineering and build stuff actually works 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #44 Posted June 3, 2023 Up position… I need to mount the winch better and prevent the front lever from removing itself. The chain on the center of the cable is a pretty good tensioner to prevent the unraveling of the winch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #45 Posted June 3, 2023 Even with a flat tire (right off the bead) I can push it well. Not easy, but well. The frame stays quite square with the 45 degree lateral braces. Now, I need to figure out my drive system. I am contemplating tossing a whole frame and 3 speed up on the front axle and running with it. I’m sure I’d excite @SylvanLakeWH by utilizing a Horse! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #46 Posted June 3, 2023 I was thinking drive it off the brake drum. No diff locking or unused spin side preventing required. I’m not sure what I’ll do, but this is my original 502 transmission and a 1055 frame from the boneyard. Simple clutch I’m used to, plus this would give me forward and reverse. My thoughts are to use the implement lift arm to steer it? 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #47 Posted June 4, 2023 I found a hub with a broken ear. I took this accessory drive pulley off an SBC harmonic balancer and turned them to fit within .001” tolerance. I’ll drill and tap new hood down bolts. I’ve got another SBC pulley I can use to drive the truck axle pinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,843 #48 Posted June 4, 2023 I’m glad I found the broken hub. It worked out like a champ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #50 Posted June 4, 2023 Hey, if you keep lifting that thing manually, it will help you stay in shape! But seriously, this is a very cool project ("cool" not having anything to do with the weather lately, for sure....). I'm curious though - what is the function of the WH frame/trans on this? When I first saw the back end of it on there, I thought you were using a frame with both the trans AND engine to power the movement. Are you going to be putting an engine on it? 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
