Help me design a frame for my smoker

[torchrider]

Ok, so my smoker was originally supposed to be put in concrete in the ground, hence the vertical pipe welded to it. But I am now thinking it would be much better to be able to move it around. It would have to be able to be moved over both smooth and rough (dirt/lawn) surfaces.

It easily weighs a couple hundred pounds.

I would appreciate any design advice from the experts on this forum. Pictures are worth a 1000 words.

 

[brohnson]

I'd just make a heavy steel plate for the bottom that attaches to the leg, I'd also make the leg attachable so you'd have 3 peices and if you make the leg attachable it would make the smoker lighter to move around.

 

[timtimmay]

That plus some heavy duty casters.

Might also consider adding a hitch so you can have it hang on the back of your truck like this:

 

[torchrider]

Thanks for the replies so far. Please be aware that it weighs at least 200-300 pounds if not more so lifting it onto a trailer hitch would be a 3 man job - me and two real men.

My 3/4 ton truck would hall it no problem.

 

[graybeard]

I wood GO WITH THE TRADITIONAL four legged set up with two wheels on the firebox side. It looks like a home build for sure. How wide is it?

beard

 

[timtimmay]

If you do a 4 legged stand, I would do wheels on all four legs, with its weight, lifting half of it wouldn't be pleasant.

 

[dirt guy]

Put the wheels back inside of the firebox and make a fulcrum to where it would balance more easily (think of a wheel barrow). If the you placed the rear legs just past the cooking chamber, you might have room for a really nice shelf to work off of. It would also "lengthen" your "lever"; giving you more mechanical advantage.

If I have time, I'll try to mess with my paint program later tonight.

 

[mballi3011]

I'm with Him ^^^^^ (dirt guy) Bruce and I said to weld some more leggs on it earlier.

 

[torchrider]

Well, I have decided to go the simple route. Cut the vertical post and have a farm implement disk welded onto the bottom. This way it will be stable, somewhat mobil and I will be able to rotate it depending on the wind. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[brohnson]

Glad to hear you got it figured out, post some pics of the new standing smoker! :)

 

[dirt guy]

I hope it's a big disc. I'm using one for my charcoal grill. It works fine, but I was hoping it would have been a bit more stable than it is. But, a grill is symmetrical. A smoker with an offset box makes you work harder to find the balance point.

I'm sure it will work out great for you. Be sure and post pics when you're finished with it!

 

[torchrider]

Well, the guy at the welding shop recommended it and said it looked like the post was at the balance point. I am assuming he knows what he is doing. But if not, I know he will make it right. This is Texas after all.