Last snow storm I was struggling to load my snow blower. Since my pickup is a 4x4 it sits up pretty high so the ramps get kind of steep. I slipped and was lucky enough not to hurt myself or break the blower.
I decided there had to be a better way. I looked at cargo carriers but one with a ramp would be a couple hundred dollars. I decided to make my own. I headed to Lowes and after looking at the price of metal I decided I had better find some scrap. Next stop was the grocery store with the wife. Next door was a thrift store. I figured I would look around to see if they had a tread mill I could scrap. No tread mill but there it was, a bed frame priced at $6.98. It was angle iron, 2” x 1 ½ “on the long and 1 ½ X 1 ½” on the width. I figured it would work perfect.
I took a couple of measurements and broke out the $89 HF welder and got to work. Wheel base was 26” x 8” So cut and welded that up. I then welded 2 pieces into a 30” x 2” x 1 ½” square tube. Weld those together to form the carrier. A quick piece to hold the front lip of the blower was welded into place To form the 2”x2” tube to go in the receiver I had to use the smaller angle iron inside the larger pieces. For the hinge I used a piece of pipe welded to the receiver piece and some drilled metal pieces welded to the carrier. A ½” X 3” bolt is the pin. Some straps and a few holes to hold down the front. After a test run, it works but it is too hard to hold the blower and insert the pin. I need a catch. The answer for me was an old door catch I had sitting around. Some more drilling and cutting and welding and I have a safer way to haul my snow blower. I figure I am into it for less than $25 parts and materials. I did go thru a pound of wire and 3 disks. Drilling this stuff was the challenge. I did use all but a few inches of the bed frame. I just tilt the blower front up. Lift on the back and slide it into the front catch. Sit the wheels down then secure the front pin. Secure the strap away I go.
I decided there had to be a better way. I looked at cargo carriers but one with a ramp would be a couple hundred dollars. I decided to make my own. I headed to Lowes and after looking at the price of metal I decided I had better find some scrap. Next stop was the grocery store with the wife. Next door was a thrift store. I figured I would look around to see if they had a tread mill I could scrap. No tread mill but there it was, a bed frame priced at $6.98. It was angle iron, 2” x 1 ½ “on the long and 1 ½ X 1 ½” on the width. I figured it would work perfect.
I took a couple of measurements and broke out the $89 HF welder and got to work. Wheel base was 26” x 8” So cut and welded that up. I then welded 2 pieces into a 30” x 2” x 1 ½” square tube. Weld those together to form the carrier. A quick piece to hold the front lip of the blower was welded into place To form the 2”x2” tube to go in the receiver I had to use the smaller angle iron inside the larger pieces. For the hinge I used a piece of pipe welded to the receiver piece and some drilled metal pieces welded to the carrier. A ½” X 3” bolt is the pin. Some straps and a few holes to hold down the front. After a test run, it works but it is too hard to hold the blower and insert the pin. I need a catch. The answer for me was an old door catch I had sitting around. Some more drilling and cutting and welding and I have a safer way to haul my snow blower. I figure I am into it for less than $25 parts and materials. I did go thru a pound of wire and 3 disks. Drilling this stuff was the challenge. I did use all but a few inches of the bed frame. I just tilt the blower front up. Lift on the back and slide it into the front catch. Sit the wheels down then secure the front pin. Secure the strap away I go.
THANKS