So we moved into our new home a few months ago. My wife really misses her citrus trees. So I brought a Lime Tree with me on my last moving trip. Being that we get freezing temps, she needs to move it into the garage at night. She bought a plant dolly that was supposed to support 500 pounds. It lasted about 3 months of wheeling it in and out.

We couldn't find anything that looks any strong, so I thought I would build one. There is a lot of new construction around us, so I can find lots of scrap wood.

The dolly is 22" x 24", 2x4's on one layer and 2x6's on the other. I bought some 5" wheels (2 packs of 4).

My question is am I laying out the wheels in a pattern that will roll well? The center wheel is for more support. Probably over engineered, but only want to do this once hopefully.

Thanks for the input.

I can’t imagine needing more than one on each corner and at the most one more in the center.

I'd get the corner wheels as far into the corners as possible. Wouldn't be good to dump the thing.

I recommend placing the wheels so that only one wheel rolls over a crack at a time. Also suggest strong screw-in eyes and a hooked pull rod. Lots of waterproofing on the wood as the pot water will leak. Maybe get a layer of roofing shingles on the surface from the local construction.

Good job so far. Those look like good wheels and those doubled 2xs will last. I'd think 4 wheels would be ample so build another platform and go get a lemon tree.

One wheel in each corner.
If your weight is an issue which does not look like it should be.
Add a couple more pieces of wood as a cross brace on the bottom.

quote:

Originally posted by doublesharp:
Good job so far. Those look like good wheels and those doubled 2xs will last. I'd think 4 wheels would be ample so build another platform and go get a lemon tree.

Agreed!
Each of those wheels will probably hold over 100 pounds (more like 200#’s) and the plant will likely weigh less than 200 pounds so 4 wheels will be more than enough.

Another vote for 4 wheels at the corners. If a plant weighs more than 4 wheels and that platform will hold, you aren't going to pick it up to put it on there.

You have too many wheels, and they are close enough to hit eachother. 1 at each corner is plenty.

One on each corner mounted with carriage bolts through both the 2x4s and 2x6s. Those look like locking wheels. Don't think yo really need them. Pull it don't push. And some cleats around the pot.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 9mmnut,

Thanks for all the replies. I will dump the extra wheels.

I would suggest casters with wider wheels and two fixed and two swivel.

As said above 4 wheels in the maximum spread on the 4 corners. I would also add a rope handle to the base to make it easier to pull in/out and not push the pot off the platform.

One on each side should be fine.

With all steerable wheels that thing is going to want to go sideways.

May want two steer wheels and two straight.

Depending on how big the pot is and how far you have to bend over my want some way to pull the card with someone stabilizing it as you go.

Bending over and pushing a heavy load can be bad on the back.

I would flip it over as well . Put the wheels on the 2x6's.

I built a 2X2 dolly a few years ago and have moved some pretty heavy stuff with it. I only have wheels at the corners.

All of those saying one wheel in each corner are correct, but here's the reason why.

If you're on an uneven surface, then the wheels in the middle may be holding the weight while the corner wheels are up in the air. This could make your load unstable from a tipping standpoint. Keeping the wheels at the corners prevents this, and is the most stable.

I’d get a terra cotta or plastic or fiberglass saucer for the big pot to sit on/in.

This will help keep that wood from rotting out by retaining the water as well as keeping the plant more hydrated so it doesn’t dry out quickly.

I’ll agree to use only 4 casters, 2 with the locking brake and 2 plain swivel and use bolts washers and nuts.

Best wishes to you.

neighbor had one of these , for the same purpose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4xw3ZTKsI4

she loved it .

$160.00, and you can use it for four things , instead of a singular use.

(* but only for up to 200# )

and it stores out of the weather .

she tried casters but you have to push at caster level , not that easy,
if you push from the top , the whole thing falls over