JLNorthGA
Active Member
The director for one of our plays next year wants a platform - not unusual for her - she always likes multiple levels (and lots of angles). Unfortunately she would like part of the platform to be a wagon and to move out towards the audience at the end of the show.
Between the wagon and the people on the wagon, we're probably looking at a few hundred pounds. I'm hunting for reasonable, cheap, easy and safe ways to move the wagon and not be too visible. When we did "Hot 'N Cole" - we just pushed the wagon around and wore black. But we could access all sides of the wagon and could push in various places. As this wagon will ordinarily be part of the platform - I don't see an easy way to move it.
My first thoughts were to run some 2 x 4s or whatever under the rear part of the platform and attach them to the wagon and use them to push the wagon out from the platform. As the wagon would only be moving forward, this seems to me to be the easiest idea. I would incorporate handles on the 2 x 4s and probably have marks or stops to limit the wagon's travel. We're still looking at a few hundred pounds though. My next thought was to get a garage door opener. Pretty much do the same thing as the 2 x 4s and be a lot easier on the backs.
I was figuring on making the wagon 4' x 8' (standard sheet of plywood) or possibly 8' x 8'.
There will be a wall on the back of the platform. I'm thinking that the total depth of the wagon and platform will be 12' and the total width would be 16'. I would probably make tracks to keep the wagon aligned.
So - any other ideas on how to move the wagon?
Between the wagon and the people on the wagon, we're probably looking at a few hundred pounds. I'm hunting for reasonable, cheap, easy and safe ways to move the wagon and not be too visible. When we did "Hot 'N Cole" - we just pushed the wagon around and wore black. But we could access all sides of the wagon and could push in various places. As this wagon will ordinarily be part of the platform - I don't see an easy way to move it.
My first thoughts were to run some 2 x 4s or whatever under the rear part of the platform and attach them to the wagon and use them to push the wagon out from the platform. As the wagon would only be moving forward, this seems to me to be the easiest idea. I would incorporate handles on the 2 x 4s and probably have marks or stops to limit the wagon's travel. We're still looking at a few hundred pounds though. My next thought was to get a garage door opener. Pretty much do the same thing as the 2 x 4s and be a lot easier on the backs.
I was figuring on making the wagon 4' x 8' (standard sheet of plywood) or possibly 8' x 8'.
There will be a wall on the back of the platform. I'm thinking that the total depth of the wagon and platform will be 12' and the total width would be 16'. I would probably make tracks to keep the wagon aligned.
So - any other ideas on how to move the wagon?