M197A1 Converter Dolly Refurbish

[Castle Bravo]

What is the purpose of the bar mounted to the top of the springs? I assume it's to minimize axle wrap, but what forces would cause that in this application?

Your guess is as good as mine. One of the bars is adjustable, I think this is to alter the axle alignment.

That is cool! what is one of those things worth?

I'm not really sure. I'd like to think $500-$1500 depending on condition.

 

[rebelqwes87]

I'm just curious because I have everything I think I need to make a 105 frame into a dolly and had never seen that bar before.

 

[rustystud]

What is the purpose of the bar mounted to the top of the springs? I assume it's to minimize axle wrap, but what forces would cause that in this application?

From what I've been told in the shop, it's to help in braking to keep the axle from twisting, since the weight of the trailer is pushing down on the dolly.

 

[stb64]

''What is the purpose of the bar mounted to the top of the springs? I assume it's to minimize axle wrap, but what forces would cause that in this application?''

If you look closely at the ends of the leaf springs, you will find they are not hinged. There is a bolt to keep them from falling out of the pockets, but it does not transmit any braking forces. That's what the ''bars'' (torque rods) are for. One is adjustable to aline the axle.

 

[MWMULES]

What is the purpose of the bar mounted to the top of the springs? I assume it's to minimize axle wrap, but what forces would cause that in this application?

Thanks stb64 , my M353 and M332 trailer have them also and always wondered what they did as the 332 trailer is only 100lb heaver than a M105 but they both have the same payload.

 

[rebelqwes87]

'If you look closely at the ends of the leaf springs, you will find they are not hinged. There is a bolt to keep them from falling out of the pockets, but it does not transmit any braking forces. That's what the ''bars'' (torque rods) are for. One is adjustable to aline the axle.

I didn't even notice there were no shackles.

 

[rustystud]

''What is the purpose of the bar mounted to the top of the springs? I assume it's to minimize axle wrap, but what forces would cause that in this application?''

If you look closely at the ends of the leaf springs, you will find they are not hinged. There is a bolt to keep them from falling out of the pockets, but it does not transmit any braking forces. That's what the ''bars'' (torque rods) are for. One is adjustable to aline the axle.

So the old farts in the shop where right ! It is for braking.

 

[RAYZER]

So the old farts in the shop where right ! It is for braking.

Here's the tm for this converter dolly, the parts in question are called "radius rods", they hold the axle in alignment. I have the same axle and suspension under my m146 trailer.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=421312&d=1365540914

 

[rustystud]

Here's the tm for this converter dolly, the parts in question are called "radius rods", they hold the axle in alignment. I have the same axle and suspension under my m146 trailer.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=421312&d=1365540914

If it was just for alignment why not use this on all the single axle trailers ? Because they are not supporting the weight and mass of a trailer behind them. When braking there is tremendous force pushing against that axle, and without that rod there the spring would roll up causing all kinds of problems.

 

[RAYZER]

If it was just for alignment why not use this on all the single axle trailers ? Because they are not supporting the weight and mass of a trailer behind them. When braking there is tremendous force pushing against that axle, and without that rod there the spring would roll up causing all kinds of problems.

All of the single axle 6ton military trailers I have seen have this suspension setup, since the springs float on both ends (no eyes), the radius rods by design hold the axel in alignment.
However, I do see your point that the radius rods also prevent axle wrap.

 

[Castle Bravo]

Got some more done, this is turning out to be a slower restoration than I had planned.

 

[Castle Bravo]

Been a while since I updated this, but got a bunch done recently. All I really need to do now is prep the top door/covers and obtain a few pins and other small items.

 

[Artisan]

It's starting to cool off plenty, now we can get after
a lot more of this stuff. That's a lot of work and a
thankless job at that, it will serve you well.

 

[rustystud]

Got some more done, this is turning out to be a slower restoration than I had planned.

When you do something right, it always takes longer.

 

[Castle Bravo]

When you do something right, it always takes longer.

Yeah, I'll go with that one.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

When you do something right, it always takes longer.

LOL, That is my story also and I am sticking to it!!

 

[rustystud]

I like to tell the boss, "that I can do it right or do it right now, but not both".

 

[MWMULES]

Did it get finished?

 

[Castle Bravo]

Did it get finished?

My M870A1 restoration got in the way, but I am pretty close to finishing the dolly. I have a few more things to do on the dolly and then I can paint it.

 

[FarmerRob]

Any chance you'd be willing to part with it once its done?