Motorized wagons?
- Thread starterGPAC
- Start date
lwinters630
Well-Known Member
There needs some more detail for others to chime in:
where does it start, what is around it, what is behind it, is anyone on it, how fast/slow, what are your resources?
Dogs or tracks can help keep it straight. Fixed casters are an option also. It is not so much the total weight but the rolling friction, therefor the better and more casters the easier it will move.
If you want it completely automatic will involve specialized control with e-stops and will still require an operator. probably in the range of $2k to $5k.
Other options is manual cables with a series of pulleys hidden under the 12x12 platform. Think of it like a haul line an a fly system except laying horizontal on the ground. Your wagon attaches instead of an arbor. You can run the up stage pulley off stage and then run it through a winch like used on a sail boat. It can be direct or geared. Most important is to keep it simple, the more complex the more problems.
where does it start, what is around it, what is behind it, is anyone on it, how fast/slow, what are your resources?
Dogs or tracks can help keep it straight. Fixed casters are an option also. It is not so much the total weight but the rolling friction, therefor the better and more casters the easier it will move.
If you want it completely automatic will involve specialized control with e-stops and will still require an operator. probably in the range of $2k to $5k.
Other options is manual cables with a series of pulleys hidden under the 12x12 platform. Think of it like a haul line an a fly system except laying horizontal on the ground. Your wagon attaches instead of an arbor. You can run the up stage pulley off stage and then run it through a winch like used on a sail boat. It can be direct or geared. Most important is to keep it simple, the more complex the more problems.
DuckJordan
Touring IATSE Member
JLNorthGA
Active Member
I did not personally do this, but I saw it in a community theater production. They used a heavy duty garage door opener. I believe it was a 1 hp. After the production it was installed in someones garage. They used a screw type.
It wasn't that noisy - in fact it was rather quiet.
My question is - what do you have on the wagon to get to 2000 lbs?? That's a lot of plywood, etc. I built a wagon for "Sound of Music" that consisted of an entry door with a balcony above it and a large staircase going up to the balcony and a couple of doors on the balcony and an escape stairs. It was heavy, but I don't think it was 2000 lbs.
It wasn't that noisy - in fact it was rather quiet.
My question is - what do you have on the wagon to get to 2000 lbs?? That's a lot of plywood, etc. I built a wagon for "Sound of Music" that consisted of an entry door with a balcony above it and a large staircase going up to the balcony and a couple of doors on the balcony and an escape stairs. It was heavy, but I don't think it was 2000 lbs.
techieman33
Well-Known Member
lwinters630
Well-Known Member
All this thing is is a modified all access versa deck. All access makes staging that is made to quickly go up/down. It is pretty popular in the Nashville circuit. Odds are if you are carrying staging and its not Tait, its All Access. Versa Stage® Systems | All Access US
Last time I came in contact with one of these motorized decks was for Brad Paisley to ride out on his guitar rig...
kicknargel
Well-Known Member
For low-tech, and depending on what's going on upstage of the platform, you could send one or two pushsticks upstage along the floor, and ducking under whatever backdrop/cyc. Then just push it by hand.
Generally, "small budget," "motorized," and "safe" don't all go together. Depending on lots of factors, for this you could probably do a direct drive, with a 90VDC gear motor mounted under the platform, driving a shaft with pneumatic tires. For one move down and back, you could probably get away with no track, if you're nice and precise with rigid casters and your drive wheels. You would need welding capabilities, and I don't see parts being under $1000. The good news is it's all stuff that will be great for inventory.
Any time you're into mechanization, you need e-stops and good safety protocol.
Generally, "small budget," "motorized," and "safe" don't all go together. Depending on lots of factors, for this you could probably do a direct drive, with a 90VDC gear motor mounted under the platform, driving a shaft with pneumatic tires. For one move down and back, you could probably get away with no track, if you're nice and precise with rigid casters and your drive wheels. You would need welding capabilities, and I don't see parts being under $1000. The good news is it's all stuff that will be great for inventory.
Any time you're into mechanization, you need e-stops and good safety protocol.
