General Category > General Discussion
Utility trailer
bigbad:
I am really intrigued by the Lister! I would like to build what many people call a utility trailer or a tool trailer. It will be a flat trailer with an engine, generator, compressor, water pump, arc welder and a set of relatively high powered lights. My property is in the high plains desert and beyond what you would simply call "off grid", so this trailer will be used for construction purposes but also for maintenance and survival. The Lister engines are quite a bit heavier than more modern engines but I like the fuel consumption, the low noise and rpms and the dependability of the Lister. My questions:
1. Will the lifespan and performance of a Lister be negatively affected by being put on a mobile platform (assuming the trailer is designed for the weight. I am guessing that the weight of the whole thing - including some hand tools, chains, etc will be about 2,000 pounds).
2. Do you think it is better to have the lister turn a generator and have each of the other tools powered by electric motors, or have a series of pulleys and belts turn as many of the other tools as possible (direct drive). I will appreciate your opinions.
cobbadog:
Sounds like a b eaut project and once set up will serve you for many years. Mounting the Lister on a trailer will do no harm to it but I certainly would consider a way to cover the engine from the elements when not in use and travelling.
Depending on which Lister you are considering as to what rating your trailer springs should be and if you only require a single or dual axles which would help us make a more informed reply.
There are many Listers already coupled to generators of various sizes and would be perfectly matched engine HP to Kva. Ensure your arc welder is able to be run by the size generator you are thinking. Just meeting the specs of the welder will work but means that the generator will be working hard when your welding instead go a little bit bigger on the generator so it does not have to work hard and will last longer. Then all your power tools will work no problems. Even if you have air tools for the compressor depending on the size of the compressor, cfm rating, if the compressor can keep up supply.
There is a lot to think about and if you have all the tools then lay them out on the ground inside the size deck you intend for the trailer to see how and more importantly where they are best suited. A heavy engine and generator usually best over the axle then balance the load front and rear weight wise but still give easy access.
I would like to know more and see some pics about this project as it is an interesting one but sit down and do some sums on the amount of electricity you need to generate to make this rig work for you.
bigbad:
--- Quote from: cobbadog on July 12, 2021, 12:57:11 PM ---Sounds like a b eaut project and once set up will serve you for many years. Mounting the Lister on a trailer will do no harm to it but I certainly would consider a way to cover the engine from the elements when not in use and travelling.
Depending on which Lister you are considering as to what rating your trailer springs should be and if you only require a single or dual axles which would help us make a more informed reply.
There are many Listers already coupled to generators of various sizes and would be perfectly matched engine HP to Kva. Ensure your arc welder is able to be run by the size generator you are thinking. Just meeting the specs of the welder will work but means that the generator will be working hard when your welding instead go a little bit bigger on the generator so it does not have to work hard and will last longer. Then all your power tools will work no problems. Even if you have air tools for the compressor depending on the size of the compressor, cfm rating, if the compressor can keep up supply.
There is a lot to think about and if you have all the tools then lay them out on the ground inside the size deck you intend for the trailer to see how and more importantly where they are best suited. A heavy engine and generator usually best over the axle then balance the load front and rear weight wise but still give easy access.
I would like to know more and see some pics about this project as it is an interesting one but sit down and do some sums on the amount of electricity you need to generate to make this rig work for you.
--- End quote ---
Thanks for the ideas. So you are of the opinion that the lister should power a generator and that all tools should be powered by electricity from the gen?
dax021:
I understand Cobba's reply to mean pretty much yes, or a combination of electric and air tools off an electrically driven compressor. I think pulley driven tools will be a huge pain in the arse, not to mention limiting the distance you could work from the trailer.
mikenash:
FWIW I ran my CS6/1 on a trailer for a while before it went to its permanent home. Because of the suspension it ran with a rocking motion that took over the trailer and even had the car it was attached to rocking a bit. That was just a single-axle car trailer
I'll see if I can dig out a video and post a link
I'd think you would need possibly a tandem-axle trailer PLUS some way to tie it down if it had a permanent spot to live? Unless of course you have a heavy tow vehicle and can make a big trailer that weighs a couple of tonnes so that the Lister's mass is irrelevant to it
Cheers
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