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a number of years ago I built a hay bale trailer, for moving the bales out of the field to the storage area, it is similar to the one in the picture, my son had picked up a "H" beam that about 8" X 8", about 1/2" thick, material.the problem is is twists considerably, and was wondering what shape would possibly be better, or if I could modify the shape, by welding it into a box.the twists work them self's out or will straighten out by loading on the up side, and letting it set for some time, the trailer works, but would like improve it some, Attached Images
Reply:Open shapes twist considerably. Closed shapes twist less.Use a closed shape to reduce twist.Your call as to whether to expend the time/effort/materials/dollars to box in your existing open shape or to just get a closed shape and use that to replace the current open-shaped beam. The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:By the time you purchase 8 inch wide flat bar and install to box it you might be better off with large tube. Tubing is VERY expensive in those sizes. If you box it you will have to twist the beam straight before you start tack welding the flat bars in position. Anchor plates imbedded in a concrete floor are very handy for something like this. I don't know of any other easy way to take the twist out while you are fabbing.
Reply:Thank you for your input and recommendations and information,
Reply:thank you all for your suggestions, I ended up boxing it in, but in the process I cut it apart and added 16" between the bale supports, even tho I copied a manufactures design, the bales I had this year were not fitting, and was always tight even with my baler, and if they set any time and squashed any it was not easy to carry a full load, thus the extending it, beforeafterI works well now, twist was reduced by 95% is my guess,
Reply:It was the main I beam down the centre of the trailer that's twisting.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Another thing you could have done was weld several D shaped stiffeners into the sides of the I beam. The stiffeners themselves have to be welded all the way around (flat, overhead and vertical up) and match each other on each side of the I beam. The stiffeners would have to be at least 3/8" thick preferably 1/2". That would minimize much of the twisting of the main I Beam structure of the trailer.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720 |
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