Drovers new Rig - "Big Mal"

Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,879
19,651
113
QLD
I tried a couple of set up's at home @Bellbirdweb before finding that the bent post was the most adaptable as it gave a multitude of positions and cleared the obstacles but wouldn't be any good for a permanent mount point while travelling as it would surely break........Since I usually put a stand under the front, using the wheel clamp isn't a problem. You can also have it in a position where you don't walk into it.

I did a quick set up on the front of Big Mal so you could see how versatile it is, as for stowage well lets just say I'm searching for an easy solution, it gets thrown in the back of the Ute for now and gets in the way all the time, looking at a poly saddle for it with a velcro strap on the Utes roof or a vertical PVC tube on the back which it slips into again with a velcro strap to hold it still.......the post on the back is good to store the dish, out of the way padlocked and I had put some shafe pads on the back of the van in case it came loose and hit the wall, great idea but it missed the one of the pads and marked the wall, someone didn't allow for the extra movement when it got loose...........still thinking of a cunning plan to cover the mark.

I run a light chain around the back of the dish and padlocked to the draw bar, if anyone tries to move it the noise it makes would wake the dead.


dish3.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigcol and Crusty181
Bellbirdweb

Bellbirdweb

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2014
1,921
2,746
113
Sydney
IMG_4049.JPG
Drover said:
I tried a couple of set up's at home @Bellbirdweb before finding that the bent post was the most adaptable as it gave a multitude of positions and cleared the obstacles but wouldn't be any good for a permanent mount point while travelling as it would surely break........Since I usually put a stand under the front, using the wheel clamp isn't a problem. You can also have it in a position where you don't walk into it.

I did a quick set up on the front of Big Mal so you could see how versatile it is, as for stowage well lets just say I'm searching for an easy solution, it gets thrown in the back of the Ute for now and gets in the way all the time, looking at a poly saddle for it with a velcro strap on the Utes roof or a vertical PVC tube on the back which it slips into again with a velcro strap to hold it still.......the post on the back is good to store the dish, out of the way padlocked and I had put some shafe pads on the back of the van in case it came loose and hit the wall, great idea but it missed the one of the pads and marked the wall, someone didn't allow for the extra movement when it got loose...........still thinking of a cunning plan to cover the mark.

I run a light chain around the back of the dish and padlocked to the draw bar, if anyone tries to move it the noise it makes would wake the dead.


View attachment 49374
Click to expand...
That would be a bit more flexible than mine, as far as being able to point it, but I only use the car stands at home so would be an issue travelling as my trailamate is in the jockey wheel clamp.

My dish is also one of the folding ones, so packs away nice and compact and lives under the cafe dinette
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigcol and Drover
Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,879
19,651
113
QLD
Yep I'm with you, I have a tri pod mount but leave it at home now, I think the bendy pipe is a must for the rear or front, maybe a stubby post say about a foot long on the front and back and you just slot the bendy pipe over it......somewhere to stash it is the problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dagree, bigcol and Bellbirdweb
Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,879
19,651
113
QLD
"Big Mal" has new shoes and is looking pretty "Cool", in some new Yokohama Geolanders, buy 3 get 4 meant they were only $210 each so should last another 5 yrs or so without any drama compared to some other no name brands, well I hope anyway ,be 11yrs old by then................so with the wheels off I did brakes and bearings, checked the wear on the springs and all seems good, it's ready to roll..........................but since "The Ute" got some dollars spent on it as well as Big Mal in last couple of weeks we will just picnic on the beach for a little bit and by the time the southerners are heading home we will roll...................................

I set the names up to see how far out they will be once the roll a few miles...............
IMG_20170630_135752.jpg


Now this is the spring set up on Big Mal, the stub axle is on an A frame and the spring is a double ended slipper, (for want of a better description) called a Knee Suspension it works quite well as an independent set up and they have been around for yonks but non adjustable and the tyres will chew out if the spring sags, if the camber starts to go out of whack I have made a couple of 3mm shims to fit in where the slipper wears on the hangar, should be a workable mod....

IMG_20170630_125814.jpg



IMG_20170630_125835.jpg ............................................
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigcol
Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,879
19,651
113
QLD
Big Mal has saw dust inside and all sorts of crap underneath but the furnace is fitted and works, sounds like the APU on a C130 when it fires up but I was happy that it all worked.......................... Have to sort out the exhaust system a bit more and fit some stone guards underneath, and a general tidy up on the fit out, sitting on a concrete slab and a trolley to roll underneath sure makes life easy........................
Bought a copy of a well known brand, came with all the bits, just needed a bit of brain power to work out how it went together the instructions were big on Warnings but not on the finer details, ran the fuel line thru some 10mm clear tubing to protect and insulate while the ticking machine is rather quiet in it's rubber sling but will be encased in a shroud to protect from rocks ...............more trials tomorrow after I tidy everything up.
Might even put some pics up.........Big Mal can venture south of the border now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigcol and Dobbie
Dobbie

Dobbie

Well-Known Member
Jun 18, 2014
3,061
5,872
113
Drover said:
Big Mal has saw dust inside and all sorts of crap underneath but the furnace is fitted and works, sounds like the APU on a C130 when it fires up but I was happy that it all worked.......................... Have to sort out the exhaust system a bit more and fit some stone guards underneath, and a general tidy up on the fit out, sitting on a concrete slab and a trolley to roll underneath sure makes life easy........................
Bought a copy of a well known brand, came with all the bits, just needed a bit of brain power to work out how it went together the instructions were big on Warnings but not on the finer details, ran the fuel line thru some 10mm clear tubing to protect and insulate while the ticking machine is rather quiet in it's rubber sling but will be encased in a shroud to protect from rocks ...............more trials tomorrow after I tidy everything up.
Might even put some pics up.........Big Mal can venture south of the border now.
Click to expand...



Holy crap!

You've gone on to the dark....cold .....side!

We'll stay freezing.....but still considering. Summer's on its way so will delay thoughts of heating.

Well done! Now grab some tailor....they must be getting ready to run.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Drover and Crusty181
Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,879
19,651
113
QLD
I like to be versatile and no need for a passport, I married a Melbourne girl so have a Visa, can enter NSW but keep it under your hat I was actually born in Wollongong.....................I suppose you could say my one bit of bling..............going out on a boat on Monday so might haul in some Friday food..................
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigcol
Frog

Frog

Member
May 13, 2017
32
55
18
Kuttabul
Drover said:
I like to be versatile and no need for a passport, I married a Melbourne girl so have a Visa, can enter NSW but keep it under your hat I was actually born in Wollongong.....................I suppose you could say my one bit of bling..............going out on a boat on Monday so might haul in some Friday food..................
Click to expand...
Wollongong! That's south of the Tropic of Capricorn isn't it?
 
Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,879
19,651
113
QLD
Actually the Steelers were a pretty good team but the Maroon Flag flies high at my place.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Frog
Drover

Drover

Well-Known Member
Nov 7, 2013
12,879
19,651
113
QLD
No need for a " Mossie Deterrant Device " here in Canberra but the by product sure does a flamin great job of keeping the icicles at bay.......................no ticking just a slight whir of fans and the furnace going, I wonder if a full tank will last the week, I don't think it will get turned off.......................
The new rubber has travelled the last 1500kms very well most impressed only a couple of minor mods so far this trip to do when we get home......
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigcol, Frog and Crusty181
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom