Tractor Stand - REVISED
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:34 am
Was inspired by some of the tractor stands already on this site, so decided to make a pair. As with all lifting devices, make sure to put safety first.
These resemble Ricky Racer's stands more than the others (thanks Ricky!), but with a difference. I was having trouble getting a floor jack and a stand under the Cub's lift point; seemed they both competed for the same floor space. So, I decided to combine the two and let them use the same floor space. Here's what I came up with.
First, I started making a frame to hold the body of the stand in place while I welded the legs to it. My base was a doubled up portion of 3/4" plywood, but could any piece of stable wood. 3/4" x 3/4" pieces were added leaving a 12" x 12" clear inside dimension:
Next, I measured the inside of the 3" square tubing and made a column to fit inside and mounted it to the base in the exact center (extra wood was added to the sides to keep the 3" square tubing suspended in the air at the right height:
The first angle iron leg was cut to length (measured at the joint or outside edge) then propped up against the body:
Then, I scribed the bottom to get the correct angle. I want the leg bottoms to sit flush with the floor. This turned out the be 74 degrees:
The other leg(s) were cut. Since I knew the angle, I cut them to the correct angle the first time, instead of scribing each one:
As you can see, my bottle jack will fit under the bottom of the jack stand body:
All four legs are welded to the body:
Cross bracing is added:
Then the center portion of the jack is drilled out and welded to the top receiver and bottom plate. The number of holes and spacing on your jack may differ. Suit to fit your needs:
It looked a lot better ground and wire wheeled:
Next, I wanted some mid-level support. Something that would tie the middle portion of the leg to the lower part of the body. I thought the supports would be cut at the same 74 degree angle, but mine had to be cut at 66 degrees and fitted so they connect the inside of the legs with the corners of the body. Came up with this (jack is upside down):
Finally done:
And in use:
Disclamer: Be careful. Make sure you make good, solid welds. When using your new jacks for the first time, use other stands or wood cribbing for backup. Safety first; you are responsible.
UPDATED:
Here's a 3/16" steel plate welded to the bottom. Think they're finally done now:
Here's the REVISED dimensioned drawing if anyone wants to try it.
Thanks to everyone who commented and made suggestions!!
These resemble Ricky Racer's stands more than the others (thanks Ricky!), but with a difference. I was having trouble getting a floor jack and a stand under the Cub's lift point; seemed they both competed for the same floor space. So, I decided to combine the two and let them use the same floor space. Here's what I came up with.
First, I started making a frame to hold the body of the stand in place while I welded the legs to it. My base was a doubled up portion of 3/4" plywood, but could any piece of stable wood. 3/4" x 3/4" pieces were added leaving a 12" x 12" clear inside dimension:
Next, I measured the inside of the 3" square tubing and made a column to fit inside and mounted it to the base in the exact center (extra wood was added to the sides to keep the 3" square tubing suspended in the air at the right height:
The first angle iron leg was cut to length (measured at the joint or outside edge) then propped up against the body:
Then, I scribed the bottom to get the correct angle. I want the leg bottoms to sit flush with the floor. This turned out the be 74 degrees:
The other leg(s) were cut. Since I knew the angle, I cut them to the correct angle the first time, instead of scribing each one:
As you can see, my bottle jack will fit under the bottom of the jack stand body:
All four legs are welded to the body:
Cross bracing is added:
Then the center portion of the jack is drilled out and welded to the top receiver and bottom plate. The number of holes and spacing on your jack may differ. Suit to fit your needs:
It looked a lot better ground and wire wheeled:
Next, I wanted some mid-level support. Something that would tie the middle portion of the leg to the lower part of the body. I thought the supports would be cut at the same 74 degree angle, but mine had to be cut at 66 degrees and fitted so they connect the inside of the legs with the corners of the body. Came up with this (jack is upside down):
Finally done:
And in use:
Disclamer: Be careful. Make sure you make good, solid welds. When using your new jacks for the first time, use other stands or wood cribbing for backup. Safety first; you are responsible.
UPDATED:
Here's a 3/16" steel plate welded to the bottom. Think they're finally done now:
Here's the REVISED dimensioned drawing if anyone wants to try it.
Thanks to everyone who commented and made suggestions!!