Pit Cart build

[xtrmtoy]

I've been meaning to build a bit cart to support my Ultra4 Offroad buggy for a while now and finally started on it this weekend. I've been working on a new buggy and really needed a little break from working on it.

I decided this cart would double as one of my work benches in my shop when not located in my trailer or at a race so it will have 4 legs that can be extended to make it more sturdy.

The idea behind this pit cart is to make a low budget project. For that reason I'm using my old top and bottom box and some wheel of some garden wagons I had saved. If the wheels don't work out, I'll upgrade to something bigger.

The dimensions I decided on for the box is 60" long, 28" wide and ~40-42" tall.

For the steering I made own using some 5/8" bolts for spindles. The wheels are rated at 300 lb capacity each which I hope is enough. I'll likely run dualies in the back.

So... following is the list of things this cart needs to hold:

Top tool box
Bottom tool box
Small 110V air compressor and air tank
A retractable hose reel
3000 Watt inverter
3 car batteries
Ready Welder
Welding helmet
Nitrogen tank and regulator
Rechargeable drill
Rechargeable 1/4" impact gun
Rechargeable 1/2" impact gun
A 4.5" or 5" grinder
A vise. Likely a 4" jaw
3000 Watt inverter
A small winch (~1500-4000 lbs capacity)
Race radios
Booster cables
Fire extinguisher
Extension cord
A 48" Hi-Lift Jack

The main frame rails are made from 2"x1" 0.120" wall rectangular tubing. Most of the rest is 1" square 0.100" wall.

 

[xtrmtoy]

pics

 

[xtrmtoy]

On going...

 

[xtrmtoy]

At this point I ran out of 1" tubing so I need to pick more up.

Still doing some playing with where to place everything.

 

[Badhabit]

Sweet. It is going to be heavy tho. Any thoughts about making it self propelled?
H

 

[JimbosGarage]

That is going to be a nice cart! self contained. You mentioned offroad racing, Would it be staying in the trailer, Or out side in the pits? Will it be able to roll around in the dirt ok? With all the weight. Just asking!

 

[xtrmtoy]

The pits at rock racing or rock crawling races are always in the dirt so I think there is no choice but make it self propelled. I was initially thinking I could pull it with a little ATV but self propelled would be nicer. I'm open to ideas on this. Using a chinese ATV winch is likely the cheapest way to do it, but I'm sure the motor won't last.

I've attached two pics of my Ultra4 buggy. I'm at the art and craft stage, making cardboard templates for the body panels.

 

[xtrmtoy]

Ok... I realized I did still have a bit of 1" square tubing, so I got a little more done last night.

 

[xtrmtoy]

So for the compressor, I had picked up a little 110V dual tank compressor from Canadian Tire for a $100. Not a bad deal and it's rated for 4.1 cfm at 90 psi. Not a lot but hopefully enough. The retractable hose real is also a Canadian Tire special for $50.

A little work with a zip disk and I had all the compressor components separated. Now the fun comes to make them fit in the cart and optimize the room I have.

The compressor fits nicely between the rear wheels while the tank fits between the box and rear wheels. The hose reel fits is beside the box as well. Almost like i planned it...

I may not use the actual gauge panel from the compressor as I don't really need the regulator, dual gauges and the extra two quick connects. The compressor will be set to 125 psi max pressure and that's it. Well, maybe I'll still use one pressure gauge.

 

[iagsxr]

I really like this.

My dad tried to use a Harbor Freight winch motor(several) to self-propel an auger hopper. They didn't last at all.

 

[dogdog]

How does the front two wheel steering works?

 

[TauntDevil]

Very nice! Both the tool cart setup and the buggy look amazing. Keep up the awesome work!

 

[87jeepwrangler]

Cool. Where are you out of? You build the car?

Since you'll most likely want slow speeds, I wonder how a heavily geared scooter motor would work? I have used a few of them in little power wheel type applications I've made for my son. Even when geared for around 5mph(way faster than you'd want), a 24volt setup I have on a custom built metal tube buggy weighing over 100 lbs will spin the tires on pavement when the car is up against a wall. Gear it for a top speed of 1 or 2 mph and it may have the power you need. The parts are cheap, a controller, motor, throttle and batteries could probably be had for around $100.

 

[xtrmtoy]

How does the front two wheel steering works?

I still have to fab up the steering linkage and pull bar. I have it figured out in my head. It won't be anything too complicated. Very similar to a gardening cart.

 

[Leoruiz]

Love it. Fantabulous !

 

[xtrmtoy]

Cool. Where are you out of? You build the car?

Since you'll most likely want slow speeds, I wonder how a heavily geared scooter motor would work? I have used a few of them in little power wheel type applications I've made for my son. Even when geared for around 5mph(way faster than you'd want), a 24volt setup I have on a custom built metal tube buggy weighing over 100 lbs will spin the tires on pavement when the car is up against a wall. Gear it for a top speed of 1 or 2 mph and it may have the power you need. The parts are cheap, a controller, motor, throttle and batteries could probably be had for around $100.

I'm in Ontario Canada. The basic chassis is from Crossed Up Offroad but I've modified it so much, it's really just the outer tubing work that's left of the original chassis. Seeing the 4108 number in your pic, I guessing Smoluk?

Here's a pic of my old buggy. I parted it out at the end of 2013 to start the new one. The build has been slower than expected due to life and work getting in the way. My plan is to be back racing next year with the Line Mountain series and some East coast Ultra4.

Back to the pit cart. I was actually looking at scooter motors on eBay last night and they look like a great option. What wattage motor have you used?

 

[xtrmtoy]

Went out to the shop at lunch for a little more work on the cart.

I had noticed my wife's current garden trailer had some bigger wheels and tires with a higher load rating than what I had, so I did a little swap. We'll see if she actually notices. These tires are 13x5.00-6 with a 375lb load rating. It sure makes the cart look better.

As well, the 3000 watt inverter is now mounted. Yet again, this was picked up on sale at Canadian Tire a couple years back.

The rear single tire setup now allows for a sprocket and chain on one side and a rotor and caliper on the other side.

 

[gte718p]

The Chinese winch motors will burn up quickly if used for any length of time. They have a 10% or less duty cycle. You need some wheel chair motors and cheap pwm controllers. They are rated for continuous duty and can be had relatively cheaply on Egay. Generally they have a gear box integrated. With an additional reduction they would have no problem moving your beast.

 

[hgsuzuki]

Cool build, any update?

 

[PhantomEB]

Ahhhh an Crossed up chassis! Work of art!

 

[Richard Cranium]

xtrmtoy, there has been several threads on here about making a pit cart. You might find some more help of ideals by using the search function.

 

[xtrmtoy]

Put the cart on hold for a little bit. No rush for it.

Lots of other projects on the on go that are more urgent.

This weekend, I needed to finish my plow install on my beater Jeep Cherokee since we finally got snow and also replace one of the garage door opener. Both turned into a pain in the @ss.

I've also gotten back to work on my buggy. I just started the rebuild and assembly of the LS2/LS3 I'm going to be using. After that, I've got to take it apart for the finally welding of the chassis and put some primer and paint on it.

 

[drummingpariah]

It's been almost a year, and I'm still interested in updates. Anything new happening with the cart?