Posted 2008-05-05 1:06 PM (#83187) Subject: Ramp hinge cover- any ideas??
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Canton, MI
I love my trailer, and my ramp, but not all of the shavings, poop, etc. that get stuck in the hinges when I try to close the ramp. I know Merhow and several others make a sliding ramp hinge cover to prevent this exact problem. Unfortunately, my Hawk doesn't. Does anyone know where I could get one from, how to make it myself, or other useful suggestions. I know I can just sweep it out, but would really like to prevent the problem in the first place if possible.TIA!!
Posted 2008-05-06 6:04 AM (#83242 - in reply to #83187) Subject: RE: Ramp hinge cover- any ideas??
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Canton, MI
Gee, thanks everyone for the broom suggestion;) I already have a broom, and I am quite adept at using it, thanks. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for covers for the hinges. Anyone?
Posted 2008-05-06 8:59 AM (#83253 - in reply to #83187) Subject: RE: Ramp hinge cover- any ideas??
Regular
Posts: 88
Location: beaumont texas
i have also wondered if there was some "easy" solution (OTHER THEN THE BROOM, thank you very much.)
i have thought about getting some type of small thin, flexible plastic mat, cutting a strip that i could just put down (slipping one edge under the rubber mat in the trailer) before the horses back out. haven't tried it but it wouldn't cost much to buy a mat, try it, and if it didn't work, you wouldn't be out much money. (the mat would have to be flexible enough so it would curve and lay flat on the ramp.)
then again, it would be just another thing to have to keep up with. i typically just use my pooper scooper to get most of the 'stuff' out of the area, and then wash it out every few months.
Posted 2008-05-06 9:01 AM (#83255 - in reply to #83242) Subject: RE: Ramp hinge cover- any ideas??
Expert
Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina
Originally written by eventergirl on 2008-05-06 5:04 AM
Gee, thanks everyone for the broom suggestion;) I already have a broom, and I am quite adept at using it, thanks. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for covers for the hinges. Anyone?
Okay ..Eventergirl, We've had a pile of fun on your post. An issue is how adept are you are fabricating stuff?
Metal covers are hard to do well unless you have access to a shop full of tools.
Alternatively; I would suggest a flexible cover. You could purchase a small piece of conveyor belting to cover the hinge area. It would have to be fastened when the ramp is down at its lowest position. Then, when the ramp is raised it would dump the "stuff" back into the trailer.
I've suggested conveyor belting since it's flexible and tough. You can chose from thousands of different materials, thickness and widths. Just go to a belting supply company. They will be set up to sell the material by the foot and have samples for you to examine.
Posted 2008-05-06 12:28 PM (#83280 - in reply to #83187) Subject: RE: Ramp hinge cover- any ideas??
Member
Posts: 14
Location: Canton, MI
Yeah, glad to see everyone had fun with this;) I had thought of something flexible like the belt, and will probably give that a shot. I told my husband it was his project, but I don't think we have all the tools to do the tread plate. I was hoping someone would have invented something that I could just buy:) Can you say lazy!! Only lazy if it's affordable though, otherwise I get inventive.Thanks everyone!