For Sale: UC Bogie Wheel Casting

[Jim Burrill]

Every once in a while, this topic comes up. I have not yet tried it, but I have heard that shops that re-rubber fork-lift truck wheels can apply a fresh rubber to the steel center you bring them.

Anyone actually done that? Results? Cost?

[rob love]

We sent a tired road wheel downtown for vulcanizing. They regularly do the wheels on those massive modern tracked tractors. They took a long time to get it done, and in the end, the estimate of $120 proved to be a little low. It ended up costing us something like $270. While the rubber looked OK, it did not have the taper that a carrier wheel should have, and I think they may have made it a little too large. I'm not sure it would even fit in the suspension.

I ended up getting some really good used wheels that I used, but will try this wheel out on the carrier that we run the most here at the museum and see how it works out. I may have to profile the wheel with a grinder to get a little bit of the taper on the wheel.

I would be interested in the tire mold. The forklift places will know which compound will give the best service.

[chris vickery]

I believe the material would be a urethane compound. Urethane has both toughness as well as elasticity.
Rob, perhaps the wheel you have could be chucked in a lathe and taper cut?
At any rate, sounds like an expensive proposition.

[RichardT10829]

Stew has been using this type of setup for quite some time, with good results.. I am busy making my own setup here in the UK. Good thing with PU is that you can match any shore hardness.

Does Stew know you are selling his wares btw ?

[Stew Robertson]

Hey Richie
I see you are looking after the old guy
Richard and I have talked but I do not have the get up and go to keep doing wheels you also need a machine to remove the old rubber
The wheels that I have done are able to take a beating and just like the Ever ready bunny just keep going
they have taken high speed for 20 miles at a time both on and off pavement and there has been no flaws
good luck with your sale Richard

[RichCam]

Hi guys, great questions. I have been tied up with income tax filing (ha-ha) and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner.

The Smooth Cast ONYX is a bullet proof material. It is very durable and while not quite soft like rubber, I think it can flex slightly - very slightly. It definitely will take a beating and it won't chip.

The SS form is tapered so the casting has the correct profile. Stew fabricated an insert to fit the cast for the front idler wheel. The trick is to measure the correct volume of Part A and B to fill the mold. Not too much so that it is over flowing the fill port and definitely don't ever mix not enough. You only have 20 minutes to get it mixed and get it in there before it starts to set. Mounting a hammer drill or some other vibrating electrical tool onto the frame so that all the air bubbles can settle out insures a solid casting. Spray on LOTS of mold release EVERYWHERE that there is a steel. The ONYX sticks to everything if there isn't mold release.

I screwed up the wheel in the pictures. I measured weight instead of volume and only has enough material to fill half of the cast. I also didn't vibrate the casting enough nor did I spray enough mold release in. I attempted a 2nd pour and then mixed too much. Had to chip it off to get it out of the cast. Even though I completely messed it up, this wheel would probably work pretty well as is.

The bogie wheel has to be clean, old rubber removed and preferably down to the grooves. Grease nipple should be removed along with the bearings.

Once you are set up and once you pour, it goes very quick.

I am going to bring everything to the Acton show Saturday. I can then respond to inquiries and emails after I have received feedback. Stew - the expert - is going to be there so I will hopefully know more then.

If you have more questions, fire away. I will try and answer as many as I can. Cheers

[Dave Schindel]

I used polyurethane and it worked very well. Still going without any sign of chipping or wear. And you can specify how hard to make it. it bears mentioning again, use lots of release agent, mix enough, and be quick about it.