Trolley for a WD2

I've recently (well about two months ago) acquired myself my first engine: a Wolsely WD2 (serial number 7820 if anyone wants to find out the year for me...)

It's currently sat on two bit of wood that give it just enough clearance to run without the flywheel scraping the floor, so I plan a new trolley for it.

Using some off cuts from some building work I plan a simple wooden ladder style frame, while the engine is mounted on two more cross beams, which can then be bolted to the frame.

I've got myself some pneumatic wheels (that can easily take the weight of the engine!), but I'm not sure whether to go for:
4 fixed wheels (which will make it harder to manoeuvre, as there's no steering option)
2 fixed wheels and 2 steerable wheels (which will mean having to devise some sort of steering set up)
2 fixed wheels so that I have a sort of wheel-barrow affair (which would then require some sort of handle on the wheel-less side)

(As for the engine I'm debating about what restoration to do on it: currently it has a bit of pipe instead of a silencer, so plan to get hold of one of them as they are readily available and the fuel tank is obviously not standard as it has got JAP written across it, but getting a replacement tank seems quite difficult, and my welding ability and kit is non-existent)

If i was you do a 4 wheel fixed trolley as the wd is a light engine anyway and you can always lift one end of trolley to steer it as to bump it around .

matt

This is the trolley I made for my WD (non steerable) no problems in moving it around

The problem you might have with inflated wheels is that the engine may want to bounce when its running. Wolseley's can be a bit hit and miss with their balancing as some run smoother than others. With a 4 fixed wheeled trolley you would have to physically lift one end to turn it. Not good on the back! My suggestion would be a counter balance trolley with a pair of wheels in the middle under the engine. You can then have jacks at each corner to lift it off the wheels when you are in position. A handle at one end makes it very easy to pull about. Of course it may be cheaper in the long run to find some iron wheels for a normal style trolley.

if your after some cast wheels i have some that could be up for grabs .

matt

Thanks guys,

I'm going for a 4 fixed wheeled solution (using the pneumatic tyres), as it'll be a learning expereince at the very least. The beams are just drying after their first (of many) coats of sadolin (other wood stains are avalible).

Does anyone have any advice for what to treat the wood with? Just thinking all the oil and grease and petrol etc that they'll get covered in is more than most wood stains are designed for...