My wheelbarrow-ish welder cart design

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My goal is to be able to run my welder/plasma cart out of my shop and into the gravel if need be on occasion.At first I was thinking 4 large tires, but the steering system would be my hang up unless I wanted to spend a lot on large pnuematic casters or spend time building some type of pull-wagon style front axle, but having the pull-tongue in the way all the time would get old.My next thought was the wheel barrow style cart, something with two large rear tires and some basic front casters for when it's in the shop.  Since I already have a couple wheels from a high-wheel push mower this might be my best bet.I'm going to try and figure out my balancing as best I can so there is plenty of weight on the front to keep it stable, but not so much you can't easily pickup and go.Below is my "sketch", pretty much a standard cart design but with a more forward rear axle/big tires and grip handles out front.  Is there much of an advantage to running the welder and an angle instead of flat?Thanks,Jordan
Reply:looks like a good idea...if your gonna be outside on gravel with it...pneumatic tires are a must...as far as the welder being "tilted" i think thats so you can adjust the knobs "easier".. and see it a little better while standing.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I'm going to shy away from pnuematic for now, I'm afraid I'd run them over some hot slag or something of that sort.The tall, hard tires I have should work good, but time will tell.
Reply:Hi , I've been a member for a short time and have been amazed by the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the projects.  This is a suggestion to try to make your welding cart tyres hot slag resistant. Can you fill the tyres with foam or mousse to keep the them 'inflated' even if they puncture. Just a thought.
Reply:the taller the wheel the better for rough ground years ago i help a fellow at a scrap yard and his toruch outfit was old armysurplus it had real tall wheels steel.. close to 24 inch?? or bigger
Reply:Originally Posted by prop-doctorthe taller the wheel the better for rough ground years ago i help a fellow at a scrap yard and his toruch outfit was old armysurplus it had real tall wheels steel.. close to 24 inch?? or bigger
Reply:Wow! Nice looking design! I wonder if you're going to have problems with balance, though... How big is the tank? How much does the weight of the tank vary between completely full and completely empty? You can use some simple physics equations to figure out how to distribute the weight, if you're interested.
Reply:Originally Posted by sstorkelWow! Nice looking design! I wonder if you're going to have problems with balance, though... How big is the tank? How much does the weight of the tank vary between completely full and completely empty? You can use some simple physics equations to figure out how to distribute the weight, if you're interested.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterlooks like a good idea...if your gonna be outside on gravel with it...pneumatic tires are a must...as far as the welder being "tilted" i think thats so you can adjust the knobs "easier".. and see it a little better while standing.....zap!
Reply:Nice layout!Frankly I've been thinking aobut a cart for the MIG welder I got and the wheel barrow approach is on the top of my list.     The primary reason being the abilty to handle large loads.    To be honest I wasn't even thinking about front casters but rather short posts to anchor the unit when set down.    This should elminate the temptation to pull the cart by the whip or ground cable.As to the isuse of angle or flat, why not both?   That is an adjustable shelf to place the welder in the position that best suits the project at hand.The other thing that stands out in my mind is the lack of space for cabeling, hoses and other stuff.    Expendables also.In my mind the unit I was thinking about had wheel barrel type handles and qual wheels in the fornt.    thouoght has to go into this especially if yoiu expect ot walk a bit with it.    The problem is foot room that is will you be able to walk naturally with size 15 feet?     Generally this means either adjustable handles to get them out of your way or long handles.    Along this line you may want the handles at the other end where the bottles are.   You don't want the handles in the way of your welders controls.Dave
Reply:JUST MAKE THE HANDLES LIKE ON A PIPE THREADING MACHINE, RIGID 535 COMES TO MIND. THEY FOLD OVER EACH OTHER WHEN  NOT IN USE, AND SWING OUT TO BE USED JUST AS A WHEELBORROW.JUST A THOUGHT.http://cgi.ebay.com/Rigid-535-Indust...QQcmdZViewItemhttp://cgi.ebay.com/Rigid-535-Pipe-T...QQcmdZViewItemHere is a few pics so as you can see what i meant.Brett B & B Fabrication and Welding Inc.Spalding, MI.
Reply:Excellent thought bringing up the handles and walking behind it issue, wouldn't have thought of that until I found out myself.I'm thinking slide-in long handles.  Probably something I would pin and remove when not needed.  I'll have to see what I have around.