The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Smallholding => Equipment => Topic started by: bloomer on August 30, 2014, 03:10:58 pm
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has any one done this legally?
i have an 8 x 4 general purpose trailer with cage sides and tail ramp.
all the sides etc can be removed, is it possible to fit a replacement top section thats enclosed and some gates and use it as a stock trailer?
if you have done it can you give me some clues how you went about it etc...
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I saw a trailer on ebay recently that was mesh sides and had had a plywood roof added to it by bolting through the top frame of the mesh sides - although it wasnt meant to be a stock trailer, that might be an option for you.
That said ( apart from the risk of the livestock jumping out ) do you legally need a roof on a stock trailer ?
Regards
Mark
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the rules i can find say fully enclosed... no details.
i had the thought of the plywood roof as a temp solution for on the field movements but am just toying with a conversion so i don't have to store 2 trailers...
i think i have a plan coming together just wondered if anyone had any experience though?
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I forgot to add that the whole trailer was then able to be covered with a tarpaulin cover which meant that the plywood roof didnt have to be waterproofed.
Regards
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The only thing I can see you needing to consider is gates on the side of the ramp. These are a legal requirement when moving animals and I have seen some 'homemade' trailer being ticked off for not having them. I have seen people get away with using hurdles down either side whilst loading.
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You might get a better idea by looking at the Ifor Williams P6E (6' x 4') trailer details - these can be fitted with mesh sides or the full livestock kit of roof/sides/gates.
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Bloomer,
I meant to discuss this with you the other night. I'm sure your trailer could be easily converted by fitting some plywood boards inside the mesh panels all the way round the sides (that's fully enclosed, right!?), and a plywood roof on top. Your sheep are only wee, so the existing mesh sides should give them ample headroom.
The loading ramps could be easily improvised with some sheets of ply cut to size which just fitted on on either side of the tailgate before you open it. They could then easily be stored on top of the roof when not in use.
All done for about fifty quid I reckon! :thumbsup:
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I've got a metal bed frame here which was halved and adapted to allow the two halves to move like the loading gates on a standard stock trailer :thumbsup:
Never got round to putting the trailer together, so they're still kicking about :innocent: I'll have a look at them tomorrow and if they're still good you're welcome to have them. You'd just need some little brackets to hold them in place.
Ditto the plywood panels (bolted on, so easy to remove) and a tarp over the top to waterproof - easy, cheap and won't stop you using the trailer for anything else.
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Nice one Karen! BTW Bloomer, I have a basic welding kit here and some even more basic welding skills if that's any use to you for attaching hinges to loading gates etc.
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Have a p6e with mesh sides for the quad , used it to move pigs when buying or selling . 2 wooden ramp gates fastened to the mesh sides , marine ply boards on the inside with a rail on the outside held in place by 2 bolts on each side and front . board on a wooden frame for the roof sitting over the mesh sides, with rails on the inside again bolts to hold tight , simples hope this is clearer than mud :thumbsup:
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thanks all, im going to do a plywood conversion kit i think, sounds like a plan anyway and i have till the end of october before i need a trailer again for public highway use :-)
womble may take you up on some amateur welding of some brackets i'll see how it all goes!!!
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hi there I have the exact same isue a gd 8x4 with the mesh, but i would like to use
it leagaly for livstock, don't see why not if you can as it has been said done on a 6x4.
There is a ifor W steel hard top, made for the GD8x4. could this and some sides for loading. make it with in the norms.
http://www.iwt.co.uk/resource/eng/1801.11866.thumbnail.eng.jpg (http://www.iwt.co.uk/resource/eng/1801.11866.thumbnail.eng.jpg)
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Hi - this thread is reasonable old and I wonder if the regulations has changed.
If I want to get a general purpose and convert it where can I see the requirements - sounds like solid roof and ramps is needed - any idea what else or where I can get the requirements ?
We are looking to have a handful of sheep and some pet goats. So will need transport maybe a couple of times a year - when we buy them and when we take sheep to abottoir
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Don't forget the legal obligation to disinfect when you've taken animals to any other holding, including the abattoir. I don't think plywood would comply?