Stump Clone Movement (or lack of)

TravisT · Last edited by TravisT on Nov 05 2008; edited 1 time in total

Have another thread about some mods I need to make for the smoking portion of this BBQ, but now I need some advice on making this thing movable.

I underestimated how heavy this thing would be when it was done, and I estimate that I have about +/- 600lbs in it so far. I put two rubber wheels on it so you can rock it up onto the wheels and roll it like a dolly. Unfortunately, without the help of a floor jack, I can't rock it up onto it's wheels now. It doesn't have a very long "wheel base" so I'm not sure how well it would do with turning wagon style steering. Currently, the wheels do not touch the ground in it's sitting position, which was done intentionally so the weight wouldn't be on the wheels all the time.

Here is a picture of what I have to work with:

The wheels are currently on the Left side of the smoker as you see it in the above picture. Sorry I don't have a completed picture right now.
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BabyHuey · Posted: Nov 05 2008 Post subject:

Put heavy duty casters under it. What surface you wanting to move it on? It looks like it may be a little top heavy though so some outriggers to catch it if it begins to tilt my be an idea.
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http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/LilBabyHuey/?action=view¤t=4675c7d7.pbw

TravisT · Posted: Nov 05 2008 Post subject:

It typically sits on grass in the backyard. That is why it's not a simple solution (for me anyway). Casters would be fine if it wouldn't see any off-roading, but it more than likely will.
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BabyHuey · Posted: Nov 05 2008 Post subject:

Go to www.mcmaster.com and do a search for "pneumatic wheel casters" they have a dirt pneumatic wheel that mounts like a caster that should work fine. We use these on our High School Band Carts. You may even fabricate a small reciever for your smoker and you can pull it around with your riding lawn mower.

EDIT - Also, you can get these much cheaper at Tractor Supply.
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God Bless the "Q" and the People who eat it.... Amen!

Link to my pit build slideshow:

http://s333.photobucket.com/albums/m398/LilBabyHuey/?action=view¤t=4675c7d7.pbw

mds2 · Posted: Nov 05 2008 Post subject:

I think mine is about the same size as yours, mine also weighs about 600 pounds. Originally I put 4" casters on one side and 10" pneumatic wheels on the other. It would move but it was a bitch.

Earlier this summer I put 10" pneumatic casters on it and 13" riding lawn mower wheels. It moves better now, but can still be a big of a pain in soft grass.

If I were to do it over I'd put wagon style steering on it. Which I may do next year, or this winter if I get bored.
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The Saucy Lads BBQ Team

Robert & Keri C · Posted: Nov 05 2008 Post subject:

My Clone is about 60" tall x 24" deep x 48" wide and weighs about 1100 #. I went the cheap route at first but this summer I thought of the lawn mower tires and wheels. I had already put tie rods on the front when I was using the harbour freight 4 x 10 x 3 light weight crap. I found the lawnmower wheels at a mower repair shop. Salvaged through his junk pile and found four of the same size. Built a new 3/4" straight axle for the rear and changed bushings in the wheels to fit my spindles on the front and away we went. It rolls good on grass, concrete, gravel and in and out of the trailer with no problems. I think I have some pictures so will try to find them and post later.

Robert C
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Robert & Keri C
Under construction-GF Stump Clone using a 1965 Montgomery Wards deep freeze
2 well-worn WSM's
1 Home Built XL GF Stump clone w/Roc's Stoker
3 Cookshack FEC100's
1 Good One P30 (on loan)
1 Vermont Casting gas grill

Big Tom · Posted: Nov 05 2008 Post subject:

That style of smoker tends to be top heavy and can get away from you on rough terrain. I know of several of the original Stump's GF smokers with the two-wheeler running gear that have tipped over when being moved. Stump used to offer a four-wheel set up with a pair of swivel pneumatic casters. They were so unstable that he quit offering that option.

The newer version of the GF has a wider stance and uses a 5th wheel wagon style running gear now with 13" pneumatic tires. The smokers are easier to move around on most surfaces, but the removeable 5th wheel portion does not lend to easy loading/unloading on a ramp by yourself.

Our team has a Stump's Elite 6 model which was used to develop the 5th wheel running gear. I had to remove the rear tires and narrow the track width with some 8" rigid casters to allow the cooker to fit through the aisle on the enclosed trailer used for transport. That modification really made mobility a 2 or 3 man task. The cooker rolls great on smooth hard surfaces, but not so good off road (where most contests are in gravel or grass). The narrower track width also plays back into unstable and top heavy concerns as well on the rough terrain.
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Big Tom
Pigs-R-Us Cooking Team
Owensboro, KY / Corinth, MS

QObsession · BBQ Fan Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 243

Keri C Please post some Pics your Idea is what I want to do.
I have a Junk yard near me I may be able to get a Dixie chopper frame with Tires

TravisT · Posted: Nov 06 2008 Post subject:

Thanks for all of the replies, guys. I would love to see pictures of what you guys have come up with. The other thing I worry about is it sitting on the tires when it's not moving. I like the fact that currently it sits on the legs until it's pivoted to its side. Maybe removable wheels/axles? I wish I could just mount it to a concrete slab somewhere and be done, but I'm in the military and plan to take this bad boy with me.

On a side note, if any of you clone owners (or stumps owners) can help me out with another problem I'm having with this cooker, please check out this thread:

http://www.thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17295

Thanks for all the help!

Travis
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Harry Nutczak · Posted: Nov 06 2008 Post subject:

I have a first gen. GF on the 4-wheel steerable dolly, It feels top heavy, but it never got out of control going over some rough terrain. Just don't ever try to sidehill it and you'll be ok

The ship weight of mine was 750 pounds, it has been sitting on its pneumatic wheels for 2 years with no problems whatsoever.

You could always make a leveling jack system on 4 corners, keep an air tank nearby and lift it like an indy car. or use small scissor jacks.

Damn, that is a great idea. it would fix those problems of trying to find level ground at some catering events.
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