2006 - Volume #30, Issue #2, Page #16
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Flatbed Trailer Built From Swather Tongues
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He spliced several of the tongues together to form the main frame and made crossbars from the frames of junked tillage equipment.
The trailer rides on two 6,000 lb.-Torflex axles fitted with slightly used tires. He bought 1/8-in. thick diamond plate fenders to cover the four tires.
A 2-ft. long beaver tail stores underneath the back of the trailer. "The ramps are held in place by a single rod that simply falls over the gap so they can't slide out.
"The tail lights are inside lengths of 6 by 6 tubing that are rubber-mounted to the frame. The light bar in back is set just beneath the hook for the ramps shielding it from harm. The running lights have a semi-circular design that protects them as well."
There's a removable steel guard on front of the 6 1/2-ft. wide by 18-ft. long platform.
"There was a lot of what looked like wasted space in the front so I came up with the idea of using the area for storage," Dettmer says. He installed expanded metal under the frame. It's a great place to hold tow blocks, gas cans or unused tie-down straps. Hooks on the frame make it easy to strap things down.
"Because the frame is so heavy, we couldn't lift it up after it was put together so I welded all the stringers and the axles on upside down," he says. "I also laid underneath to paint it, too."
He spent about $1,500 to build the trailer and suspects a new rig like it would cost about $4,000.
After graduating in May, Dettmer wants to attend Kansas State and major in civil engineering.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jordan Dettmer, 13031 B Road, Kensington, Kansas 66951 (ph 785 476-2417; Jordan_dettmer@hotmail.com).
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