I'm new to papercrete and have not built a mixer yet, but I've done metal fabrication for 20+ years. Yes, you will have to remove the shocks and springs. Obviously people have built and used these mixers successfully by just cutting a hole in the bottom of tank and lots of sealer where the diff pokes thru. I would fab up some bearing plates and use 2 flanged sealed bearings, sealing would not be an issue at all, then use a flex coupler between shaft and diff. Tank will need to be fully supported, and a rigid trailer frame would keep flexing to a minimum. You will need access to a shop with metal cutting abilities and welding equipment, someone that knows what they are doing helps.
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papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "thelandyachtaustin" <thelandyacht@...> wrote:
>
> I've read most everyone who's made tow-mixers start with a rear-end & build the trailer onto that...or incorporate that into a trailer, however you wanna say it.
>
> But I've got (or have had access to, for a while) a trailer made from what looks like an old 3/4ton pickup-bed. Heavy duty shocks & springs still in place (so the bed sits WAY up high from the rear-end).
>
> Any thoughts on how I'd start modifying this thing to make a mixer out of it? Am I gonna have to get those shocks off & drop the floor, or can anyone think of a way to "extend" the drive-shaft of the rear-end (to get into a tank sitting at the truck-bed level) once it's turned vertical?
>
> Thoughts, considerations, suggestions all welcome!
>
