My smoker looks like a robot with what I did today. Retired engineer friend could not come up with foolproof specs so I started winging it. Okay, here is what I did. Can't say I understand the math so I just winged it.
The forward edge of the 1" box tube is at 7" from the fulcrum and angled outward about 30 degrees to clear the tank. Right angle at 6" height arms extend 26" to 4" OD tube, 23" long. I tried to mock up something but due to weights could not do so. In current config I have about 5-7 lbs handle weight with the 4" OD tube empty but the damned thing looks like a robot. Its not a big deal to cut and grind. So the question is how short can I make the arms with adding weight to the pipe/tube and keep the lift weight at 10 lbs or less? I'm working tomorrow. Back at it on Sunday.. Given the arm contact with the tank when open, the key thing in my mind is, if I put a 2" spacer between the arms and the tank, and if the door is still open enough to allow the smoker to function, I suspect that is the point I'll shorten the arms to.
Jerry
The forward edge of the 1" box tube is at 7" from the fulcrum and angled outward about 30 degrees to clear the tank. Right angle at 6" height arms extend 26" to 4" OD tube, 23" long. I tried to mock up something but due to weights could not do so. In current config I have about 5-7 lbs handle weight with the 4" OD tube empty but the damned thing looks like a robot. Its not a big deal to cut and grind. So the question is how short can I make the arms with adding weight to the pipe/tube and keep the lift weight at 10 lbs or less? I'm working tomorrow. Back at it on Sunday.. Given the arm contact with the tank when open, the key thing in my mind is, if I put a 2" spacer between the arms and the tank, and if the door is still open enough to allow the smoker to function, I suspect that is the point I'll shorten the arms to.
Jerry