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Wheeley
Bar Products
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Medium Size
Universal Style
See Complete List of
Compatible Equipment at Right
TPWUMED
$319
Purchase
from Farpoint |
Medium Size Universal
Wheeley Bars |
|
Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars
Celestron C4-R,
C5-S, C5-SGT, C6-N, C6-R, C6-RGT, C8, C8-NGT, C8-S, C8-SGT, C8+, C8-N, C8-S,
C9¼-S, C9¼-SGT, C10-N, C10-NGT, C11-SGT, C102-HD, Celestar 8, CG-4 mount, CG-5 mount,
CG-9¼, CGE 800**
/ 925** / 1100**, Classic 8, CPC 800 GPS / 925 GPS / 1100 GPS, Fastar 8, G-8, G8-N, G-9¼, Great Polaris C8, Great Polaris
mount, NexStar 8 / 8 Evolution / 8 GPS / 8i / 8i (XLT) / 8 SE / 9¼ Evolution / 9¼ GPS / 11 GPS, Super C8 with adjustable
tripod, Ultima 8 / 9¼ / 11; iOptron iEQ45 Pier mount; Losmandy GM-8; Meade 2080 and
2120 Fork mounts (except MTS) through LX200 7", 8" and 10"
(Ritchey-Chrétien,
GPS and non-GPS versions) with standard field tripod, LS-6 / 8, LT-6 / 8, LX90-ACF 8" /
10", LX90GPS 8" / 10", LX200-ACF 8" / 10", LX400-ACF 10", LXD55 AR-5 / AR-6 / SN-6 /
SN-8 / SN-10, LXD75 AR-5 / AR-6 / SN-6 / SN-8 / SN-10, ETX-90EC and ETX-125EC
with deluxe field tripod, LX10, LX50, LX90, LXD500 / 600 / 650 mounts, Starfinder German
Equatorial 6 / 8 / 10; Orion SkyView Pro mount; Vixen Great
Polaris mount, Great Polaris Deluxe mount
Maximum Load: 100 lbs
Adjusts to fit tripods with tip-to-tip distance
from 33" to 43"
See doorway measurements for more dimensions.
Tip receptacle is 2-1/4" I.D.
Raises most mounts 3-1/2" off the ground with standard wheels (5" for Astro-Physics
pier mounts)
Wheel diameter is 2-3/8" (optional 5"
and 10" wheels are
available)
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
** Your CGE mount may require Large
Size Universal Wheeley Bars depending on the tip-to-tip
distance. It may also require the 10"
Pneumatic Large Wheel Upgrade (to lower the mount to an acceptable height).
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NOTE
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Do not use the standard Medium Wheeley Bars
for 12" or larger SCTs (even if the mount is listed above) as these
telescopes are too heavy for this product. Check out the HEAVY DUTY
Version below.
The
picture at left shows the Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars with the standard
2-3/8" wheels. The optional 5"
Large Wheels are also shown for
size comparison.
|
 |
This picture shows the Medium Size Universal Wheeley
Bars under a Meade Standard Field Tripod. The Wheeley Bars adjust
for the legs of your tripod mount (within specific limits). They are
designed to be used with the legs fully retracted to keep the center of
gravity low and allow the telescope to be moved through doors |
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HEAVY DUTY
Medium Size
Universal Style
Dimensions of the Medium Size with
Construction of the Large Size
TPWUMEDHD
$389
Purchase
from Farpoint* |
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HEAVY DUTY Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars Astro-Physics 6"
Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier mount
The HEAVY DUTY Version is
designed for heavier equipment with the same footprint as the standard Medium
Wheeley Bars and the heavier construction of the Large Wheeley Bars. In
other words, they are like Large Size Wheeley Bars with short legs (the same
length as the Medium Size Wheeley Bars).
Because of the increased weight
with the narrow width, there will be a greater risk due to the high center of
gravity. The equipment will need to be strapped down to the Wheeley Bars
and, as with all Wheeley Bars, JMI will not be responsible for equipment tipping
over.
Maximum Load: 300 lbs
Adjusts to fit tripods with tip-to-tip distance
from 33" to 43"
See doorway measurements for more dimensions.
Tip receptacle is 2-3/4" I.D.
Raises most mounts 3-1/2" off the ground with standard wheels (5" for Astro-Physics
pier mounts)
Wheel diameter is 2-3/8" (optional 5"
and 10" wheels are
available)
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
*
When ordering, please place a note in the shopping cart Comments
area identifying the specific telescope / mount manufacturer and
model.
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Large Size
Universal Style
See Complete List of
Compatible Equipment at Right
TPWULG
$399
Purchase
from Farpoint* |
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Large Size Universal Wheeley Bars
ATS Portable Pier mount (may
require custom product if tip-to-tip distance is less than range shown below); Celestron
C14, CGE 925** / 1100** / 1400***, CI-700 mount; Meade
LX90GPS 12", LX200-ACF 12" / 14", LX200 12" (GPS and non-GPS), LX200GPS 14", LX200R
12" / 14", LXD700 / 750 mounts, RCX400 10" / 12" /
14"; Particle Wave Technologies
Monolith Pier mount. See
Note Below / Customers
easily mistake Large vs AP/G11/Etc (Hidden).
Maximum Load: 300 lbs
Adjusts to fit tripods with tip-to-tip distance
from 48" to 56"
See doorway measurements for more dimensions.
Tip receptacle is 2-3/4" I.D.
Raises most mounts 3-1/2" off the ground with standard wheels (5" for Astro-Physics
pier mounts)
Wheel diameter is 2-3/8" (optional 5"
and 10" wheels are
available)
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
*
When ordering, please place a note in the shopping cart Comments
area identifying the specific telescope / mount manufacturer and
model.
** Your CGE mount may require Medium
Size Universal Wheeley Bars depending on the tip-to-tip
distance. It
may also require the 10"
Pneumatic Large Wheel Upgrade (to lower the mount to an acceptable height).
*** The CGE
1400 mount may require Custom
Size Universal Wheeley Bars depending on the tip-to-tip
distance. It
may also require the 10"
Pneumatic Large Wheel Upgrade (to lower the mount to an acceptable height).
| NOTE |
The
picture (at left) shows the Large-size Universal Wheeley Bars with the discontinued
4" Large Wheels. The optional
5" wheels are still available. Notice the extra bracing
between the legs of the Wheeley Bars. |
 |
This
picture shows customer Gary Stacy's Meade LX 850 14" on JMI's Large-size
Universal Wheeley Bars. Note the Bungee Cords holding the tripod on
the Wheeley Bars. This is something JMI recommends. |
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This customer
picture from Gary Stacy shows Large-size Universal Wheeley Bars carrying
a Meade LX 850 14" f/8 OTA with an Orion ED80T CF Triplet APO on top.
"It also has two MallinCam cameras and a filter wheel and a lot of mounting
hardware. ...There is a lot of weight. I guess 300 pounds or a
little more. The 5" wheels roll smooth." |
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Extra Large
Size
Universal Style
See Complete List of Compatible Equipment at
Right
TPWUXLG
$799
Purchase
from Farpoint |
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Extra
Large Size Universal Wheeley Bars Meade LX200 / LX200GPS 16" with
Supergiant Field
Tripod, LX400-ACF 16" with Ultra-Stable Mount, RCX400 16" with Ultra-Stable Mount
Includes six 10" all-terrain pneumatic
wheels, a tow handle and 5/8" diameter leveling screws.
Maximum Load: 300 lbs
Adjusts to fit tripods with tip-to-tip distance
from 48" to 56"
Tip receptacle is 2-3/4" I.D.
Raises most mounts 3-1/2" off the ground (5" for Astro-Physics pier mounts)
Wheel diameter is 10"
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
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Max
Size Universal Wheeley Bars Meade LX400-ACF 16"
with
MAX Robotic Mount, RCX400 16" / 20" with
MAX Robotic Mount
Adjusts to fit tripods with tip-to-tip distance
from 53.5" to 59.5"
Includes eight 10" all-terrain pneumatic
wheels, steering/tow handle and motor. A 12 volt power supply is required
(not included, see our
21 Ah Power PAC battery pack).
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
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Motor Drive
(This picture shows our original Dual-Motor
Version which has been replaced by a Single-Motor version.) |
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See our
21 Ah Power PAC battery pack pictured here. |
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Wheeley Bars for Astro-Physics
Pier Mounts
Astro-Physics 6", 8" and
10" Pier mounts (Astro-Physics 400 / 600
/ 800 / 900 / 1200)
Customized universal model for Astro-Physics pier
mounts (same as Large Size Universal except for tip receptacles).
Tip receptacle is 1" I.D.
Raises mount 5" off the ground with standard wheels
Wheel diameter is 2-3/8" (optional 5"
and 10" wheels are
available)
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
| NOTE |
The picture
at left shows an unassembled
Wheeley Bars for the Astro-Physics pier mounts (with 5" Wheel
Upgrade) |
| NOTE |
For a 6"
Eagle Adjustable Folding Pier Mount use
HEAVY-DUTY Medium Size Wheeley
Bars. |
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The ONLY
difference between the Large Size Universal Wheeley Bars and the Astro-Physics
Wheeley Bars is the style of the tip receptacle at the end of the legs. |
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Wheeley Bars for Losmandy
G-11 Mount
Celestron CG-11, CG-14; Losmandy
G-11, HGM 200
Customized universal model for the Losmandy G-11
mount. (Specify tripod tip-to-tip distance with
legs fully retracted or, alternately, at the preferred viewing height less the
height of the Wheeley Bars.)
Tip receptacle is 3-1/2" I.D.
Raises most mounts 3-1/2" off the ground with standard wheels
Wheel diameter is 2-3/8" (optional 5"
and 10" wheels are
available)
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
**
When ordering, please place a note in the shopping cart Comments
area specifying tripod tip-to-tip distance with
legs fully retracted or, alternately, at the preferred viewing height less the
height of the Wheeley Bars. Also specify leg/feet
diameter and tip style.
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Wheeley Bars for
Meade LightBridge 8"
Celestron
Sky-Watcher 10" Collapsable Dob; Meade
LightBridge 8"; Orion
SkyQuest XT8; Other
Adaptable to Dobsonians with 19" Diameter Ground Board
Customized model with four large 10" all-terrain pneumatic
wheels and a tow handle.
Raises mount 3" to 4" off the ground
Wheel diameter is 10"
Width (at rear wheels) is 27"
Length (front to back including wheels) is 37"
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
|
NOTE |
Due to variations in foot placement, one or more of the feet on the base of
your scope may need to be moved in order for this scope to fit the
Wheeley Bars. |
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Wheeley Bars
for 8" Dob's |
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Wheeley Bars for
Meade
LightBridge 12"
Apertura
AD12; Meade
LightBridge
10" / 12"; Orion
SkyQuest XT12 / XX12; Sky-Watcher
12"; Zhumell
10" / 12"; Other
Adaptable to Dobsonians with 26" Diameter Ground Board
Customized model with four large 10" all-terrain pneumatic
wheels and a tow handle.
Slotted foot receptacle is 1-3/16" I.D.
Raises mount 2-7/8" off the ground
Wheel diameter is 10"
Width (at rear wheels) is 32"
Length (front tire to back tire) is 41"
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
|
NOTE |
Due to variations in foot placement on the 10" LightBridge, one or more of the feet on the base of
the scope may need to be moved in order for this scope to fit the
Wheeley Bars. |
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The
Orion SkyQuest XT12 on the Wheeley Bars |
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The Orion
SkyQuest XT12g (Go-To) on JMI Wheeley Bars
Customer Picture provided by Tommy Alderman
NOTE: Some modification is necessary to make the Go-To scopes fit
these Wheeley Bars due to placement of four nuts on the azimuth bolt
mounting plate (bottom of scope/ground board). |
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The
Sky-Watcher 12" Collapsible Dobsonian on Wheeley Bars |
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The Apertura
AD12 on Wheeley Bars. Picture provided by customer Paul Radzilowski. |
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These are the
parts for the Wheeley Bars for the Meade LightBridge 12". Assembly is
easy. |
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Meade
LightBridge 16"
Adaptable to Dobs
with 28" to 32" Diameter Ground Board
TPWLB16
$439
Purchase
from Farpoint |
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Wheeley Bars for
Meade
LightBridge 16"
Meade
LightBridge 16"; Orion SkyQuest XX12g GoTo Dobsonian; SkyQuest XX14g GoTo
Dobsonian; SkyQuest XX14i
IntelliScope; Other
Adaptable to Dobsonians with 28" to 32" Diameter Ground Board
Customized model with four large 10" all-terrain pneumatic
wheels and a tow handle.
NOTE: The ground board feet may need to be moved.
Raises mount 4" to 5" off the ground
Wheel diameter is 10"
Width (at rear wheels) is 33"
Length (front to back including wheels) is
53"
You might also be interested in our "Speed Dial" drill
adapter for quickly adjusting leveling screws on any Wheeley Bars.
|
NOTE
|
Due to variations
in foot placement, one or more of the three feet on the
base of your scope may need to be moved in order for this scope to fit the Wheeley Bars.
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Wheeley
Bar Options and Accessories
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5" Large
Wheels (Upgrade at Time of Purchase Only)
For Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars
TPWLWUPG
$109
Purchase
from Farpoint |
5" Large
Wheels (Purchased Separately)
For Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars
TPWLW
$129
Purchase
from Farpoint |
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5"
Large Wheels for Universal-Style Wheeley Bars
Fully locking 5" diameter polyurethane
wheels to replace the standard 2-3/8" hard-rubber wheels on Universal-Style Wheeley Bars (both standard and custom versions). With these wheels, the
Wheeley Bars will raise the mount 6-3/8" off the ground.
For wheel size recommendations,
please see What Size Wheels Should I Purchase?
Upgrade at
Time of Purchase Only*, Part Number TPWLWUPG
Purchased Separately**, Part Number TPWLW
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NOTES
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* If you simply wish to purchase the
Wheeley bars with 5" wheels rather than 2-3/8" wheels, pick the
"upgrade at time of purchase" option (part number TPWLWUPG).
This price is cheaper because the small wheels are essential "traded
in" toward the price of the larger wheels.
** If you wish to replace your 2-3/8" wheels with 5" wheels after the
original purchase (or you wish to receive both sets of wheels with the original
purchase of a set of Wheeley Bars), use the "purchase separately" option (part number TPWLW). You can only replace your small
wheels with the large wheels if your current wheels are
attached with bolts (current manufacturing method) rather than rivets (very old
manufacturing method). With this "aftermarket" option, YOU will
be removing the original wheels and installing the 5" wheels.
The necessary longer leveling bolts are included. (JMI will not accept
returns of used small wheels.)
|
 |
The
picture at left shows a set of Universal Wheeley Bars with the standard
2-3/8" wheels installed and a set of 5" Large Wheels off to the side.
This set of Wheeley Bars are an old version designed for a Losmandy G11 mount.
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10"
Pneumatic Large Wheels (Upgrade at Time of Purchase Only*)
For Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars
TPW10UPG
$239
Purchase
from Farpoint |
10"
Pneumatic Large Wheels (Purchased Separately**)
For Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars
TPW10
$259
Purchase
from Farpoint |
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10"
Pneumatic Large Wheels for Universal-Style Wheeley Bars
Add six large 10" all-terrain pneumatic
wheels and a tow handle to replace the standard 2-3/8" hard-rubber wheels on Universal-Style Wheeley Bars.
A dual inboard wheel design on the rear wheels maintains a narrow profile.
With these wheels, the Wheeley Bars will raise
the mount approximately 3-1/4" off the ground.
An optional Battery
Pack Holder is available (included with
Motor Upgrade).
For wheel size recommendations,
please see What Size Wheels Should I Purchase?
Upgrade at
Time of Purchase Only*, Part Number TPW10UPG
Purchased Separately as an Aftermarket Upgrade**, Part Number TPW10
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NOTES
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* If you simply wish to purchase the
Wheeley Bars with 10" wheels rather than 2-3/8" wheels, pick the
"upgrade at time of purchase" option (part number TPW10UPG).
This price is cheaper because the small wheels are essentially "traded
in" toward the price of the larger wheels.
** If you wish to replace your 2-3/8" wheels with
10" wheels after the
original purchase, use the "purchase separately" option (part number TPW10). You can only replace your small
wheels with the large wheels if your current wheels are
attached with bolts (current manufacturing method) rather than rivets (very old
manufacturing method). With this "aftermarket" option, YOU will
be removing the original wheels and installing the 10" wheels. (JMI will not accept
returns of used small wheels.)
The first picture at left is of JMI Universal Wheeley Bars with the prototype 10"
Pneumatic Large Wheel Upgrade, optional Battery
Pack Holder and an Orion
Dynamo Pro 17 Power Station (not available from JMI, see the
Cen-Tech 12v 17Ah Power Pack). The dual inboard wheels on each
rear "axle" help keep a narrow profile. The product also
includes a pull handle.
The second
pictures shows what is included in the 10" Pneumatic Large Wheel
Upgrade as a separate purchase.
Is this an AFTERMARKET Upgrade (PURCHASED SEPARATELY)
for
PRE-OCTOBER 2013 Large or Heavy Duty Medium Wheeley Bars?
If you are purchasing the Large 10" Pneumatic Wheel Upgrade for Large
Size Universal Wheeley Bars or HEAVY DUTY Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars
purchased before October 2013, please let us know that you need the Long
Mounting Bracket. You can do so by entering, "LONG MOUNTING BRACKET" in
the Comments field in our shopping cart. (If you are purchasing the
upgrade at the same time you are purchasing the Wheeley Bars, you do NOT need to
add this note.)
You can verify the need for the Long Mounting Bracket by measuring the
Threaded Leveling Screw Guide (Long Nut) which holds the leveling screw (see
picture below). Units built before October 2013 used a longer guide/nut
which measures about 2-3/8" and requires the Long Mounting Bracket.
Current guide/nut length (which does NOT require the longer bracket) is about
1-5/8".
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Motor Upgrade
(At the Time of Purchase ONLY)
For Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars with 10" Pneumatic Wheels
TPWMTR
$549
Purchase
from Farpoint |
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Battery
Pack Holder
for Large Universal-Style Wheeley Bars
JMI
Medium, Large, Extra Large and Max Size Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars
Add
a Battery Pack Holder to Medium and Large Universal-Style Wheeley Bars for battery pack products. It will hold a battery up to 5-1/2" x
10" in size.
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Battery Pack Holder Installed |
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In this picture the Battery Pack Holder is installed and is holding a
Battery Pack. |
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Tow
Handle for Universal-Style Wheeley Bars
Add a Tow Handle to any Medium or
Large Size Universal-Style Wheeley
Bars. (The tow handle, at left, is shown attached to a Universal-Style Wheeley
Bar unit.)
|
NOTE
|
The
10" Pneumatic Large Wheels
already include the Tow Handle.
|
 |
This
close-up shows how the handle is attached. |
|
NOTE |
Is this an AFTERMARKET
Upgrade (PURCHASED SEPARATELY) for
PRE-OCTOBER 2013 Large or Heavy Duty Medium Wheeley Bars?
If you are purchasing a Tow Handle for Large Size Universal Wheeley
Bars or HEAVY DUTY Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars purchased before
October 2013, please let us know that you need the Long Mounting Bracket.
You can do so by entering, "LONG MOUNTING BRACKET" in the Comments field in
our shopping cart. (If you are purchasing the Tow Handle at the same
time you are purchasing the Wheeley Bars, you do NOT need to add this note.)
You can verify the need for the Long Mounting Bracket by measuring the
Threaded Leveling Screw Guide (Long Nut) which holds the leveling screw (see
picture below). Units built before October 2013 used a longer
guide/nut which measures about 2-3/8" and requires the Long Mounting
Bracket. Current guide/nut length (which does NOT require the longer
bracket) is about 1-5/8".
The Threaded Leveling Screw Guide is welded
to the end of a Wheeley Bar leg.
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Speed
Dial for Universal-Style Wheeley Bars
Portable drill adapter helps
quickly and easily adjust (raise or lower) leveling screws on any Universal-Style Wheeley
Bars. Cuts assembly time by 50% or more!
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The
Adapter (right) with a Leveling Screw (left) |
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The
Speed Dial adapter fits into any portable drill. Place the claws of
the adapter over the leveling screw handle and use the drill to quickly
turn the screw up or down as necessary to level your Wheeley Bars. |
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Large Leveling
Screw Upgrade
(Upgrade at Time of Purchase Only*)
For Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars
TPWLLSUPG
$99
Purchase
from Farpoint |
Large Leveling
Screw Conversion
(Purchased Separately**)
For Universal-Style
Wheeley Bars
TPWLLS
$149
Purchase
from Farpoint |
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Large
Leveling Screw Upgrade for Universal-Style Wheeley Bars
This product changes the
standard leveling screws (1/2" diameter) to the large leveling screws (5/8" diameter) on
Large Size and HEAVY DUTY Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars which normally come
with the smaller screws.
(NOTE: Large leveling screws
come standard on Extra Large Size and MAX Size Universal Wheeley Bars. If
you wish to use the large leveling screws on the standard Medium Size Universal
Wheeley Bars due to excessive total weight then you should consider purchasing
the HEAVY DUTY Medium Size Wheeley Bars.)
Upgrade at
Time of Purchase Only*, Part Number TPWLLSUPG
Purchased Separately as an Aftermarket Conversion**, Part Number TPWLLS
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Dave
Cochrun's Losmandy Heavy Duty Tripod on JMI Universal Wheeley Bars for
Losmandy (with Large Wheel Upgrade). (July 2015) |
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A closer view
of one of the legs of the above setup. |
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A close-up
view of the Losmandy HD Tripod leg inserted into the JMI Wheeley Bar
receptacle in the above setup. |
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Customer
photo from Michael Miller showing a 12" LX200 OTA with an Orion HDX110 mount
(aka Skywatcher EQ8) on HEAVY DUTY Medium Size Universal-style Wheeley Bars
with 5" wheels (July 2016) |
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This picture,
supplied by JMI customer Russ De Riso, shows the 10" Pneumatic Wheels in
action. Russ says, "This is great - I can move the 80 lb rig like
magic." |
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This picture,
by customer David Haworth, shows his Astro-Physics Pier Mount on JMI's Large
Size Universal Wheeley Bars. See his setup and more at
www.stargazing.net/david/QSI/QSI532NP127is.html. |
 |
"THE
RIDE" shown here includes Large Size
Universal Wheeley Bars, the 10"
Large Wheel Upgrade (which includes a tow handle), the Motor
Upgrade (which includes the Battery Pack Holder)
and Orion's Dynamo
Pro 17 Power Station (no longer sold by JMI, see the
Cen-Tech 12v 17Ah Power Pack). The dual inboard wheels on each rear
"axle" help keep a narrow profile. |
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This
picture shows the Medium
Size Universal Wheeley Bars under a
Meade Starfinder Pier Mount. Special adapters are included for the
Starfinder mount. |
What are Wheeley
Bars?
Do you wish you had an easy way to move your tripod-mounted, pier-mounted
or Dobsonian telescope from garage to patio or driveway? Wheeley Bars (telescope
wheels/dolly) were created for just that
purpose. The sturdy base with locking wheels and leveling bolts allows you to
easily move, lock, level and use the complete telescope assembly.
And best of all, you don't have to disconnect and reconnect all the
electrical and computer cabling. Standard Wheeley Bars are
designed to be used on hard flat surfaces only. With the optional
large-wheel upgrade, great care in maneuvering and ideal conditions, they
can be used on grass, dirt and gravel surfaces. Wheeley Bars are generally designed to be used with the tripod legs almost fully
retracted to reduce the overall width. A
Word of Warning: The heavier the telescope mounted on the Wheeley
Bars, the more careful one must be in moving the complete system by
pulling or pushing below the center of gravity. JMI is not
responsible for incorrect loading or operation.
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What
is Tip-to-Tip Distance?
To be sure that your tripod or pier will fit a particular Wheeley Bar product, it may be necessary
to verify the tip-to-tip distance of the mount. Usually, this
measurement is made with the legs of a tripod fully retracted (the
shortest length) and spread out completely. Alternately, you can
measure at your preferred viewing height, but be sure to allow for the
height of the Wheeley Bars (listed with each product). The tip-to-tip distance
is the measurement from the outside edge of the end of a tripod leg or
pier foot (where it touches the ground) to
the outside edge of another tripod leg or pier foot as illustrated below. 
 
Here
are some examples of different types of tripods and piers and where to measure. 
For
Custom Wheeley Bars, to be sure that your mount will fit into
the receptacles, we also need to know leg or foot diameter and tip
style. For instance, on the mounts shown above (numbered from left
to right), the following applies:
Mount
Number |
Diameter
Needed |
Tip
Style |
| 1 |
Leg |
Tube |
| 2 |
Foot |
Flat Foot |
| 3 |
Leg |
Rounded
Tip |
| 4 |
Leg |
Pointed
Tip |
| 5 |
Foot |
Flat Foot |
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Doorway
Measurements
We often get questions
regarding the width of our Wheeley Bars to determine if they will fit
through a particular doorway. The following information should help
in making that determination. The following dimensions do not apply
to Wheeley Bars that have been upgraded with 10" large wheels. For
Universal Wheeley Bars with the 10" Large Wheel Upgrade the doorway
width must be three (3) inches wider than the tip-to-tip distance. 
There
are three basic measurements as noted above. The maximum width (X)
is measured in a similar fashion as the tip-to-tip distance except that
the measurement is made to the outside corner of the legs or leveling
screws (typically about 3" wider than the tip-to-tip measurement of a
pointed tip tripod mount). The minimum
measurement (N) is from the end of one leg to the inside measurement on
the opposite side. This would help in determining the narrowest door
that the Wheeley Bars could possibly be maneuvered through. A third
measurement (W) is in between the other two and gives the width as
measured from the end of one leg to the outside measurement of the
opposite side. The diagrams below illustrate the three measurements. 
 
The
illustration on the left shows the Universal Wheeley Bars turned so they
can be pushed through the doorway based on the NORMAL width (W) without
having to do any special maneuvering. The second illustration shows
the Universal Wheeley Bars being maneuvered by twisting them through the
doorway based on the absolute MINIMUM dimension (N). The third
illustration shows the Wheeley Bars being blocked from moving though a
doorway because they are positioned such that the MAXIMUM profile (X) is
being presented.
Universal Wheeley Bars are called Universal because they are made to be
adjustable to handle various sizes of mounts. This means that the
measurement we have been talking about can vary depending on the in-out
adjustment of the Wheeley Bar legs. The table below shows the
minimum and maximum for the different widths indicated by the variable W,
N and X.
| Width
Dimensions for Universal Wheeley Bars |
| Size |
Normal
Width
(W) |
Minimum
Width
(N) |
Maximum
Width
(X) |
| Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
Min |
Max |
| Medium |
32" |
36" |
22.625" |
25.625" |
36" |
41" |
| Medium
HD |
33" |
40" |
29" |
34" |
38" |
47" |
| Large |
44.75" |
49.75" |
36.5" |
40" |
50.5" |
56.5" |
| Extra
Large |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Max |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What
Size Wheels Should I Purchase?
The small 2-3/8" hard-rubber
wheels are good for flat hard surfaces with no cracks or grooves.
For hard surfaces, such as concrete sidewalks, with seams or cracks, the 5"
polyurethane wheels are best. The large 10" all-terrain pneumatic
rubber-tire wheels are designed for field use on
rough surfaces such as grass, dirt and gravel. However, great care must be
taken in maneuvering on these surfaces, particularly when wet, because the wheels
may sink below the surface. We do not recommend using Wheeley Bars on
these surfaces under adverse conditions, especially if you have a very
heavy telescope.
|
Selecting the Right Wheeley Bars
When deciding on which
Wheeley Bars to purchase, there are several things to consider.
These include:
The TYPE OF EQUIPMENT you will be transporting
The TIP-TO-TIP DISTANCE of the tripod feet
The TOTAL WEIGHT of the equipment to be transported
The SURFACE you will be moving the equipment over
TYPE OF EQUIPMENT
Dobsonian telescopes should use one of our
Dob-style Wheeley Bars based on which Dob you have. Telescopes
with a tripod should use one of the Universal-style
Wheeley Bars. The size will depend on the size and weight of
the telescope equipment (see below).
TIP-TO-TIP DISTANCE
The Universal-style Wheeley Bars show a minimum and maximum tip-to-tip distance for the
tripod legs. The best way to measure the tip-to-tip distance is to
set your telescope up the way you would normally use it then measure the
distance between two tripod feet. Be sure to account for the
height the Wheeley Bars will lift your equipment off of the ground.
Compare that measurement with the range shown for each size of Universal Wheeley Bars to match up with the best fit. Custom Wheeley Bars
are available for those that fall outside of all of the listed ranges.
For more information on how to make this measurement, see
What is Tip-to-Tip Distance?
If you wish to move your telescope equipment through a doorway, see
Doorway Measurements to verify
whether you will be able to maneuver your equipment through a particular
doorway (based on the size of the Universal Wheeley Bars).
TOTAL WEIGHT
The Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars are for small, lighter telescopes
like a standard C8 that weighs less than 100 pounds. If you have a
telescope with tip-to-tip distance that falls into the Medium range but
weighs near or over 100 pounds (total weight of all equipment) you
should use the HEAVY DUTY Medium Wheeley Bars since they will
support the weight much better. If you are planning on adding any
equipment to your telescope in the future (like cameras, guide scopes,
etc.) you should take that weight into consideration.
Heavy Duty Medium,
Large and Custom Wheeley Bars can carry up to 300 pounds. We also
carry Extra Large and
Max Wheeley Bars for specific very large telescopes.
SURFACE
The standard 2-3/8" wheels work fine if the surface is hard and flat,
such as a gymnasium floor or smooth concrete. If you need to move
over concrete with cracks or seams (like sidewalks and driveways) or
rough cobblestone-like surfaces, you should get the
5" Wheel Upgrade as
these will ride over these surfaces much better without getting stuck.
If moving over grass, dirt or gravel (or you just want a smoother ride)
you should use the 10" Pneumatic
Wheels. These wheels will travel
over surfaces smoothly and not sink into cracks. There are times
when the 5" wheels can be used on hard dirt, but if the weight of the
telescope is more than 100 pounds, the 5" wheels may dig into the upper
layer of dirt and become hard to move. For more information on the
composition of the different wheels, see What Size
Wheels Should I Purchase?
WARNING
We do not recommend using Wheeley Bars on
any surface under adverse conditions, especially if you have a very
heavy telescope. The heavier the telescope mounted on the Wheeley
Bars, the more careful one must be in moving the complete system by
pulling or pushing below the center of gravity. JMI is not
responsible for incorrect loading or operation.
|
Purchasing Hints (for Motorized Wheeley Bars)
Here are three typical
configurations (with part numbers) for motorized Wheeley Bars:
"THE RIDE" Complete
Motorized Wheeley Bars (Extra Large Size Universal Wheeley Bars)
TPWUXLG Extra Large Size Universal Wheeley Bars with 10"
pneumatic wheels,
TPWMTR Motor Upgrade for
Universal-Style Wheeley Bars (required) with included Battery Pack
Holder
NOTE: You must have a 12 volt
power source such as the Cen-Tech
12v 17Ah Power Pack
"THE RIDE" Complete Motorized Wheeley
Bars (Large Size Universal Wheeley Bars)
TPWULG
Large Size Universal Wheeley Bars (required)
TPW10UPG 10"
Large Wheel Upgrade (required)
TPWMTR Motor Upgrade for
Universal-Style Wheeley Bars (required) with included Battery Pack
Holder
NOTE: You must have a 12 volt
power source such as the Cen-Tech
12v 17Ah Power Pack
"THE RIDE" Complete Motorized
Wheeley Bars (Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars)
TPWUMED
Medium Size Universal Wheeley Bars (required)
TPW10UPG 10"
Large Wheel Upgrade (required)
TPWMTR Motor Upgrade for
Universal-Style Wheeley Bars (required) with included Battery Pack
Holder
NOTE: You must have a 12 volt
power source such as the
Cen-Tech 12v 17Ah Power Pack
|
|
Customer
Comments
"Your dolly's fit the need
perfectly. Good workmanship. My iOptron mounts love theses
(as well as my back)." (R. R. 08/03/2017)
"The Wheeley Bars with the large
5/8" screws along with the heavier mount made all the difference.
My scope setup is now solid as a rock. Thank you so much for
helping me with the advice. I never would have believed the mount
and screws would have made that much difference but it does.
Thanks for making a superior mobile setup. It is well worth the
money!" (F. G. 07/2017)
"...BTW, my wife and I love and
appreciate JMI products (especially the Wheeley Bars—makes it easier for
my wife to move her 10-inch dobbie!" (M. H. 03/2017)
"...thanks so much for your voice
mail, conversation and amazing customer service. If you guys ever
need a comment, endorsement, etc., please contact me. (J. H.
03/2017)
"...that is more than fair and very much
appreciated. I guess that thoughtfulness is why JMI products and
support are so widely respected." (H. C. 03/03/2017)
"I am absolutely delighted with the
[TPWLB12] Wheeley Bars as it makes movement of the telescope around the
yard very easy. For a telescope of this size I would not be able
to use it to full advantage without the ability to move it easily both
for observation and storage. Thanks for a great product well worth
it's price. The quality of construction immediately made an
impression while I was assembling it for use." (P. R.
06/2014)
"Got the Wheeley Bars!
Fantastic high-quality product. Machine work on every part is
perfect and there wasn't a single part which I wasn't impressed with the
sturdiness of. Great product!!!! Thanks." (J. Z.
05/2014)
"My order for the Heavy Duty Medium
Universal Wheeley Bars arrived today and I had to write regarding it
because so much about the entire order impressed me. Let me begin
with the packaging itself. I have not seen an order in many years
that was so well packaged.... But the packaging was not the only
thing which I was impressed by. The design and workmanshipo is top
notch.... (R. A. 09/2012)
"Just received your large Wheeley
Bars and they are exceptionally robust, well-engineered and beautifully
made! They are exactly what I need to get more observing time and
less set-up time." (S. S.)
"I received my Wheeley Bars as
ordered, thanks. I just have to say that this has been the best
accessory I have ever bought for my scope hands down. I'm very
pleased indeed. It makes shifting and setting up my scope a
breeze. Thanks again. (S. K.)
"Last June I bought your Wheeley
Bars for my 16" Meade LightBridge. Needless to say, they have
been fantastic. I use the scope at least ten times as much now as I
did before putting it on the Wheels. Any time I want to observe, I
just wheel it out of the garage and I'm ready within a couple of
minutes! No re-collimating needed! Contrast that with moving
the heavy scope out by hand in three parts, putting it together and
re-collimating. This process had been a real deterrent to using the
scope—not to mention disassembling it at night, cold and sleepy. I
had considered spending $$$ on an observatory shelter but using the Wheeley Bars is so much better, and incredibly cost-effective. But
you know all this! Your simple invention has re-opened the world of
astronomy for me. And my neighbors—any time it's going to be a
good star night I send out an email and they come over. Thanks
again." (T. P. W. Jr.)
"I have received my order [Wheeley
Bars]. Your service was very good. Much better than the servie
I have had when purchasing other goods from the USA. My advice to my
fellow Astronomical Society members will be, if you can buy it from JMI,
go there first." (I. G. F-W., Australia)
"[I] Love being able to wheel my
telescope in-and-out of the garage on a whim without having to wait for
help to move it. I'm a 5'-2", 53-year-old grandmother who
couldn't move the scope without help so this was just the ticket.
Ladies, you'll love it! Also, you just leave it on there while you
star hop. The handle detaches so you don't fall over it in the
dark.... Thanks JMI!!!" (C. J.)
"I look forward to using my Wheeley
Bars with my heavy telescope. It is sturdy and well
made." (S. B. H.)
"Well, I must say the product was
more than I expected. Great work!! After years of the
electronic stuff I have gone back to a Dob and Your wheelies make it so
easy! Thanks!!" (J. W.)
"REALLY like my Wheeley....
[My] C-102-HD is happy. So is my hernia. <G>"
(P. H.)
"I received a set of your Wheeley
Bars.... I put it together this morning with no trouble. This
setup is the cat's meow and the elephant's PJs all rolled (pun intended)
into one. Now I can keep the scope up and easily accessible on a
whim as my binocs. How cool. Thank so much." (M.
M.)
"I have a Meade 10" LX200GPS on
one set of Wheeley Bars and a CGE on another set and absolutely love
them. It isn't just the weight I can carry the mount in a
couple of trips, no problem. The really huge advantage of the
Wheeley Bars is that I can leave the mount/tripod/electrical and computer
connections (USB hub, power strip) all attached permanently on the Wheeley
Bar setup. I wheel out, attach one electrical connection (extension
cord to the power strip), one computer connection (USB cable to the USB
hub) and I am ready to go. A huge time saver setting up and taking
down compared to having to make multiple connections each time. (D.
S.)
"The materials used for the Wheeley
Bars is excellent. They have exceeded my expectations. Good
product." (D. C. B.)
"The quality of the Wheeley Bars
exceeded my expectations! I assembled them easily and with no
problems. Good Job!" (S. S.)
"The Wheeley Bars are one of the
best products ever introduced to the Amateur Astronomer in history... Your Wheeley
Bars are exceptionally well designed for the price..." (R. J. G.)
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
|
| Q. |
How can I be
sure that a particular model will fit my tripod mount? |
| A. |
First, make sure the
legs on your tripod are fully retracted (i.e. set as short as possible).
Measure the distance from the tip of one leg to the tip of the next. Compare this
distance with the specifications shown for the model designed for your tripod. The
receptacles that accept the tripod legs are designed for the width and style of tips on
your tripod legs.
If you do not see your particular
model of tripod listed, we may be able to build a custom unit. You will need to give
us specific information on tip-to-tip distance (with legs fully retracted), leg diameter
and tip style. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Why are the
Wheeley Bars designed to be used with the tripod legs fully retracted? |
| A. |
For stability and to
allow movement of the telescope through a doorway. In most cases this height will
be acceptable for normal use. |
| |
|
| Q. |
How do the
legs of the tripod fit into the Wheeley Bars? |
| A. |
Generally, they rest
inside a hole as large as, or larger than, the width of the tripod tip. Once
inserted, you can extend the legs slightly until the tips are snug in their receptacles. |
| |
|
| Q. |
How much
will the Wheeley Bars elevate my telescope and mount above the ground? |
| A. |
That
information is given in the description for each model. Large wheel
upgrades include information on how they affect the height. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Can I use
Wheeley Bars to move my telescope over grass? |
| A. |
The original Wheeley
Bars were designed for use on hard surfaces only. Some customers have stated that
they are able to use them on grass but we do not recommend it. Our 5"
Large Wheels will work on smooth
grass surfaces. With the 10"
Pneumatic Large Wheels, great care in maneuvering and ideal conditions,
Wheeley Bars can be used on grass, dirt and gravel surfaces. |
| |
|
| Q. |
Can I get
information on the wheels used on your Wheeley Bars? |
| A. |
The standard hard-rubber wheel is 2-3/8" in diameter and 1-1/8" in width. An upgrade to
large 5" diameter polyurethane wheels is available. These tow
sizes are lockable to keep
them from rolling when not using the leveling bolts. A 10"
Pneumatic rubber all-terrain wheel is also available. See
What Size Wheels Should I Purchase? |
| |
|
| Q. |
What
material are the Wheeley Bars made of? |
| A. |
They are made from
sturdy steel channel or rectangular tubing covered by durable black-wrinkle paint.
If treated properly, they should last several lifetimes. |
|
