{"title":"Wheel, Caster \u0026 Motor Upgrades","description":"\u003cp\u003eUpgrades for a Wheeley Bar you already own — larger polyurethane and pneumatic wheels for rough ground, lockable casters, and the motor kit that turns a universal bar into a powered dolly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGoods ship factory-sealed. Tell us which bar you have and we'll confirm the upgrade fits before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"jmi-5-polyurethane-wheel-upgrade-for-wheeley-bars","title":"JMI 5″ Polyurethane Wheel Upgrade for Wheeley Bars","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kit swaps the factory 2\u0026amp;frac38;″ hard-rubber casters on a JMI Universal-style Wheeley Bar for three 5″ diameter polyurethane wheels, each with a full-locking brake, and includes all the mounting hardware. The larger diameter rolls over expansion joints and small obstacles that stop the stock casters, and the polyurethane tread runs quieter and gentler on finished concrete and garage epoxy. Installed, the wheels raise the mount 6\u0026amp;frac38;″ off the ground. Shipping weight is 9.0 lb. Made in the USA by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you observe mostly on hard, reasonably flat surfaces — a driveway, a garage floor, an observatory floor or pad, paved ground — and the stock 2\u0026amp;frac38;″ casters are catching on seams and cracks on the way out. It also suits you if you want the bar to stay planted once it is leveled, since all three wheels lock. If your route crosses grass, gravel, mulch, or sand, the 10″ pneumatic upgrade is the one built for that ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree 5″ polyurethane wheels:\u003c\/strong\u003e More than double the 2\u0026amp;frac38;″ factory caster diameter, so expansion joints and small obstacles roll under rather than stop the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull-locking brakes on every wheel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each brake holds against wheel rotation and caster swivel together, so a leveled bar stays put even on a slight slope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolyurethane tread:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quieter than hard rubber on concrete and garage epoxy, and it does not leave black scuff marks on a finished floor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6\u0026amp;frac38;″ ride height:\u003c\/strong\u003e The manufacturer’s published figure for how far the kit raises the mount above ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeveling-screw agnostic:\u003c\/strong\u003e One kit fits Universal-style bars with either 1\/2″ or 5\/8″ leveling screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete hardware:\u003c\/strong\u003e All mounting hardware ships with the wheels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA\u003c\/strong\u003e by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Universal-style Wheeley Bar carries a three-wheel layout, one wheel under each tripod or pier leg, which matches the triangular footprint of the mount it carries and is the minimum count for stable rolling. This kit keeps that layout and simply enlarges each station. The brake on each caster is a full-locking type: rather than only stopping the wheel from turning, it also locks the swivel yoke, which removes the slow creep that a rotation-only brake allows when a loaded bar is nudged. Polyurethane is the tread material used on industrial equipment rolled indoors for exactly the reasons that matter here — it carries load without deforming, runs quietly, and does not transfer black marks to a coated floor. Because all three stations rise by the same amount, the bar keeps its level geometry and the mount simply sits 6\u0026amp;frac38;″ higher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRolling a loaded imaging rig from a garage out to a driveway pad across expansion joints and seams.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a mount around a roll-off or dome observatory floor without marking the coating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepositioning a heavy visual setup on a paved patio and locking it down once the target is framed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing worn or noisy factory casters on an older Universal-style Wheeley Bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is designed for JMI \u003cstrong\u003eUniversal-style\u003c\/strong\u003e Wheeley Bars: Standard Medium, HD Medium, HD Large, HD Shorty, and the AP Pier Mount bar. It is size-agnostic on leveling screws and fits both the 1\/2″ and 5\/8″ versions, unlike the 10″ pneumatic upgrade, whose included tow handle makes it leveling-screw specific. The Triangle Style Wheeley Bar uses a different frame and takes its own 5″ lockable caster upgrade, and the Sky Trekker series is outside this kit’s fitment. A tow handle is not part of this kit; standalone tow handles in 1\/2″ and 5\/8″ versions are made for the 5″ caster setup and can be added to match your leveling-screw size. If you are sizing a new Wheeley Bar to run these wheels, the 6\u0026amp;frac38;″ ride height is worth allowing for in the tip-to-tip measurement. Tell us which Wheeley Bar and which leveling screws you have and we will confirm the fit and the right tow handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThese wheels are for hard, smooth surfaces.\u003c\/strong\u003e Concrete, asphalt, garage epoxy, and tile suit them; grass, gravel, mulch, sand, and rough ground are where the 10″ pneumatic upgrade takes over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo tow handle is included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1\/2″ and 5\/8″ standalone tow handles cover that separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe kit raises the mount 6\u0026amp;frac38;″.\u003c\/strong\u003e That changes eyepiece height and matters when measuring tip-to-tip for a new bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is an upgrade kit for an existing Wheeley Bar,\u003c\/strong\u003e not a standalone dolly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTriangle Style bars take a different kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 5″ lockable caster upgrade for Triangle Style is sized for that frame.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree wheels, not four.\u003c\/strong\u003e That matches the Universal bar’s one-wheel-per-leg layout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The kit ships with all mounting hardware and each 5″ caster goes on where a factory 2\u0026amp;frac38;″ caster comes off, one station per leg. It is a hand-tool job with no drilling or modification to the bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit my bar regardless of leveling-screw size?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The 5″ wheel upgrade is size-agnostic and fits Universal-style bars with either 1\/2″ or 5\/8″ leveling screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy three wheels instead of four?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Universal-style bar uses a three-wheel layout with one wheel under each tripod or pier leg. Three is the minimum for stable rolling and it matches the bar’s triangular footprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the lock really hold the bar in place?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach wheel has a full-locking brake that holds against both rotation and swivel. With all three engaged the bar stays put, including on a slight slope. Most factory Wheeley Bar casters do not lock at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill polyurethane mark my garage floor?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Polyurethane is the standard tread for industrial equipment rolled indoors precisely because it does not leave the black scuff marks that hard-rubber casters do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan a tow handle be added later?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Both standalone tow handles — 1\/2″ and 5\/8″ — are designed for the 5″ caster setup, matched to your bar’s leveling screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: three 5″ polyurethane casters with full-locking brakes, all hardware included, raising the mount 6\u0026amp;frac38;″ and turning a hard-surface Wheeley Bar into something that rolls quietly over seams and stays exactly where you park it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default","offer_id":53298010882159,"sku":"TPW5WH","price":216.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/DSC_8357.jpg?v=1781737754"},{"product_id":"jmi-10-pneumatic-wheel-upgrade-tow-handle-for-wheeley-bars","title":"JMI 10″ Pneumatic Wheel Upgrade + Tow Handle for Wheeley Bars","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis upgrade takes a JMI Universal-style Wheeley Bar off pavement. Six 10″ all-terrain pneumatic wheels replace the factory 2\u0026amp;frac38;″ hard-rubber casters and their standard hardware, and a tow handle assembly with the bracket matched to your leveling-screw size comes in the box along with all mounting hardware. The layout is two front swivel casters plus four rear wheels arranged in dual-inboard pairs, which keeps track width narrow while spreading the load. Fitted, the kit raises the scope approximately 3¼″ over the factory setup — less lift than the 5″ polyurethane upgrade despite the much larger tire, because of the pneumatic tire profile. Shipping weight is 35.0 lb. Made in the USA by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if the ground between where your rig is stored and where it gets used is not paved — a lawn, a gravel drive, a mulched path, sand, or broken pavement that the stock casters dig into. It also suits you if you travel to a dark-sky site and need to move a loaded mount from a parking area to a field pad, or if a motorized Wheeley Bar is where you are heading, since the 10″ wheels are one of the two prerequisites for the Motor Upgrade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSix 10″ pneumatic tires:\u003c\/strong\u003e Air-cushioned all-terrain tread that bridges ruts, gravel, and lawn rather than digging into them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTow handle included:\u003c\/strong\u003e The assembly ships with a bracket cut for your bar’s leveling-screw size, so pulling the loaded bar replaces pushing it from behind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual-inboard rear pairs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four rear wheels carry the load in two inboard pairs, keeping overall track width narrow for doorways and gates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFront swivel casters:\u003c\/strong\u003e The two front stations swivel, so the bar still steers on a tight pad.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3¼″ ride height increase:\u003c\/strong\u003e A modest lift for a 10″ wheel, thanks to the pneumatic tire profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrerequisite for the Motor Upgrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e The motorized drive works through these rear pneumatic wheels.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA\u003c\/strong\u003e by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reason a 10″ pneumatic tire works on soft ground is geometry and compliance together. A larger diameter meets an obstacle at a shallower angle, so a stone or a rut becomes something the wheel climbs rather than something it stops against, and an inflated tire flattens its contact patch under load, spreading weight over more area so the wheel floats on turf instead of cutting a trench. Six wheels rather than three divides the load further still. The rear axle carries four of them as two inboard pairs, which is what lets the kit add that carrying capacity without widening the bar past a doorway — the extra wheels go inward toward the centreline rather than outward. The two front stations stay swivel casters so steering behaviour is preserved. The tow handle mounts at the steering end and changes the direction the force is applied from: pulling a loaded dolly puts the operator ahead of the mass, where footing and sightlines are better on rough ground, instead of behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a loaded imaging rig from a garage, across a lawn, to a backyard observing pad.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTransporting a mount from a parking area to a field position at a dark-sky site over gravel or grass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrossing a mulched or sanded path between a storage shed and an observing spot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorking on broken or heaved pavement where the stock 2\u0026amp;frac38;″ casters catch on every lip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetting up the wheel half of a motorized Wheeley Bar conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the tow handle bracket bolts to the leveling-screw hardware, this kit is leveling-screw specific and comes in two versions. The \u003cstrong\u003e5\/8″ version\u003c\/strong\u003e fits current JMI HD Wheeley Bars — HD Medium, HD Large, and HD Shorty — with 5\/8″ leveling screws. The \u003cstrong\u003e1\/2″ version\u003c\/strong\u003e fits Standard Medium bars and older HD models with 1\/2″ leveling screws. Measuring the outside diameter of one leveling screw with a caliper or rule settles which you have. Neither version fits the Triangle Style Wheeley Bar or the Sky Trekker series, which use different frames. The tow handle is part of the kit, so the standalone 1\/2″ and 5\/8″ tow handles sold for the 5″ caster setup are not needed here. The Tie-Down Bracket Kit works alongside these wheels and earns its place once the route crosses uneven ground. The Motor Upgrade calls for these wheels plus a Battery Pack Holder already fitted. Tell us your Wheeley Bar model and the diameter of your leveling screws and we will confirm which version to send.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe two versions are not interchangeable.\u003c\/strong\u003e The tow handle bracket is cut for either 1\/2″ or 5\/8″ leveling screws, and the wrong one will not align.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe $364 list price assumes factory installation before the bar ships.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fitting the kit to a bar already in the field is priced differently, because the small casters are not coming back as a trade-in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJMI does not take back removed small wheels.\u003c\/strong\u003e They are traded in against the upgrade price only when the work happens at the factory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe kit raises the scope about 3¼″.\u003c\/strong\u003e Many observers welcome the extra eyepiece height, and it is worth allowing for if your reach at the eyepiece is already near its limit or you are measuring tip-to-tip for a new bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePneumatic tires hold air.\u003c\/strong\u003e They take the same occasional pressure check any air-filled tire does.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTriangle Style and Sky Trekker bars are outside this kit’s fitment.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bigger job than a caster swap but still hand tools only: six wheel stations plus the tow handle bracket, with all hardware supplied. Ordering the kit with a new Wheeley Bar has it fitted at the factory. On an existing bar the work is done by the owner, and units built with bolt-on wheels take it directly — very old riveted-wheel units do not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell whether I have 5\/8″ or 1\/2″ leveling screws?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasure the outside diameter of one leveling screw with a caliper or a rule. Current HD Medium, HD Large, and HD Shorty bars use 5\/8″; Standard Medium and older HD bars use 1\/2″. Send us a photo if the reading is ambiguous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the tow handle replace the leveling screws?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The handle mounts at the steering end using the leveling-screw hardware as its anchor, and the leveling screws stay in service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to buy a tow handle separately?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The tow handle assembly and its bracket are part of this kit. The standalone tow handles are for bars running the 5″ polyurethane casters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill six 10″ wheels still fit through a doorway?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe four rear wheels sit as two inboard pairs rather than spreading outward, which is what keeps the overall track width close to the original bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the Tie-Down Bracket Kit be used with these wheels?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and it is worth having. Rolling a loaded mount over uneven terrain is exactly the case the tie-down kit was designed for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: six 10″ pneumatic all-terrain wheels and a matched tow handle that turn a hard-surface Wheeley Bar into one that crosses grass, gravel, and sand, with a 3¼″ ride-height increase and a narrow dual-inboard rear track that still clears a doorway.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"5\/8″ Leveling Screws — Newer HD Medium \/ HD Large","offer_id":53298011242607,"sku":"TPW10UPG-5\/8\"","price":517.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1\/2″ Leveling Screws — Medium \/ Older HD Models","offer_id":53298011275375,"sku":"TPW10UPG-1\/2\"","price":517.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/tpw_lw10-2_4c4ad5d5-1029-496f-aac4-bd2fbfa961e7.jpg?v=1781737789"},{"product_id":"jmi-motor-upgrade-for-universal-wheeley-bars","title":"JMI Motor Upgrade for Universal Wheeley Bars","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe JMI Motor Upgrade converts a Universal-style Wheeley Bar that already carries 10″ pneumatic wheels into a powered telescope dolly. The kit is a motor assembly, a remote control unit, and the installation hardware; it ships from JMI in Denver and is fitted by the owner. Power comes from a 12-volt supply of your own, with JMI recommending a minimum of 17 amp-hours, drawn from a battery riding in the Battery Pack Holder on the bar. Two versions cover the two leveling-screw arrangements JMI has built over the years. Made in the USA by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if the walk between where your rig lives and where it observes is long enough, uphill enough, or heavy enough that pulling the loaded bar by hand has become the limiting factor in getting set up. It suits permanent and semi-permanent installations where roll-out is a repeated nightly routine, imaging rigs whose total mass has grown past comfortable manual handling, and observers for whom moving that mass under muscle power is simply not the plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMotor assembly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drives the bar through the rear pneumatic wheels, so the 10″ wheel upgrade is part of the drivetrain rather than an option alongside it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRemote control unit:\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar is driven from a handset rather than from the frame, so you can walk beside the load and watch clearances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12 V operation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Runs from a standard field battery; JMI recommends 17 Ah as a minimum capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo leveling-screw versions:\u003c\/strong\u003e New style for screws threading through a metal block, old style for screws threading through a nut welded to the leg end.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOwner-installed:\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit arrives complete with its installation hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA\u003c\/strong\u003e by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe drive works through the rear wheels of the 10″ pneumatic upgrade, which is why that upgrade is a prerequisite rather than a recommendation. Those rear wheels sit as dual inboard pairs and carry the bulk of the bar’s load, so they present both the traction and the contact area a powered wheel needs on turf or gravel; an air-filled tire flattens under load into a wide contact patch that can transmit torque to soft ground without spinning. Power is taken from a 12-volt battery sitting in the Battery Pack Holder, which is the second prerequisite — the supply travels with the dolly rather than trailing a cord, and the 17 Ah minimum reflects the current a drive motor pulls when starting a loaded bar from rest. Control is by handset, which keeps the operator free to walk alongside and steer the front swivel casters by hand. The two versions of the kit differ at the mounting interface: JMI has used a metal block for the leveling screw on current production and a nut welded to the leg end on older bars, and the motor bracket is cut for one or the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRolling a heavy imaging rig out of a garage, across a lawn, to a backyard pad every clear night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a mount between a storage building and an observing position at a semi-permanent dark-sky site.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRepositioning a large Losmandy HD Gen2 or Astro-Physics pier setup where manual handling of the loaded bar is impractical.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a roll-out routine that one person can run alone regardless of the load on the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJMI lists the Motor Upgrade for the Medium Heavy Duty (TPWUMEDHD), Large (TPWULG), Losmandy HD Tripod Gen2 (TPWUG11), and Astro-Physics Pier Mount (TPWUAP) Universal-style Wheeley Bars. Two prerequisites apply to all of them: the \u003cstrong\u003e10″ pneumatic wheel upgrade\u003c\/strong\u003e, because the motor drives those rear wheels, and the \u003cstrong\u003eBattery Pack Holder\u003c\/strong\u003e, because the 12-volt supply rides on the dolly. Choosing between versions comes down to one look at the end of a leg — a leveling screw threading through a metal block calls for the new style kit (TPWMTR-NLS-UPG), and a leveling screw threading through a nut welded onto the leg end calls for the old style (TPWMTR-OLS-UPG). The Sky Trekker and Triangle Style bars use different frames and are outside this kit’s fitment. The battery itself is supplied separately. Send us a photo of your leg ends along with your bar model and we will confirm the version and check that both prerequisites are in place before anything ships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoth prerequisites are structural.\u003c\/strong\u003e Without the 10″ pneumatic wheels there is nothing for the motor to drive, and without the Battery Pack Holder there is nowhere for the supply to ride.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA 12-volt battery is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e JMI recommends a minimum of 17 amp-hours; smaller packs may not deliver the starting current a loaded bar draws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe version depends on your leveling-screw arrangement,\u003c\/strong\u003e metal block or welded nut, and the two brackets are not interchangeable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe kit is owner-installed.\u003c\/strong\u003e It ships from JMI in Denver with its installation hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability and lead time vary.\u003c\/strong\u003e This item moves in small batches from the manufacturer, and we can give you the current position before you commit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eListed fitment is Universal-style bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sky Trekker and Triangle Style models are not covered.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit is designed for owner installation and arrives with its mounting hardware. The work is mechanical — the motor bracket goes on at the leveling-screw interface and the drive engages the rear pneumatic wheels. Matching the version to your leg ends before you start is the part that determines how smoothly it goes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich Wheeley Bars can take it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Medium Heavy Duty (TPWUMEDHD), Large (TPWULG), Losmandy HD Tripod Gen2 (TPWUG11), and Astro-Physics Pier Mount (TPWUAP) Universal-style bars, each with 10″ pneumatic wheels and a Battery Pack Holder already fitted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell new style from old style?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLook at the end of a leg. A leveling screw running through a metal block is new style; a leveling screw running through a nut welded to the leg end is old style. A photo sent to us settles it either way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat battery does it need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 12-volt supply that fits the Battery Pack Holder, with at least 17 amp-hours of capacity per JMI’s recommendation. We can suggest specific packs for your bar and holder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs any wiring or electrical work involved?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit connects to the battery riding on the dolly. There is no permanent wiring or fixed electrical installation beyond the mounting hardware supplied.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it operated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the included remote control unit, which lets you drive the bar while walking alongside it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a motor, a remote, and the hardware to fit them, turning a 10″-wheeled Universal Wheeley Bar with a Battery Pack Holder into a 12-volt powered dolly that moves a loaded mount under its own power, in the version matched to your leveling screws.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"New Style — Block-Thread Leveling Screws","offer_id":53298011439215,"sku":"TPWMTR-NLS-UPG","price":1193.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Old Style — Welded-Nut Leveling Screws","offer_id":53298011471983,"sku":"TPWMTR-OLS-UPG","price":1193.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/doublebattery-1_9ec7dab3-faa9-4e02-a817-b51a7deaa8fa.jpg?v=1781737816"},{"product_id":"jmi-5-lockable-caster-wheels-upgrade-for-triangle-style-wheeley-bars-dobsonian","title":"5″ Lockable Caster Wheels Upgrade for JMI Wheeley Bars, Triangle Style for 8″, 10″ \u0026 12″ Dobsonians","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis upgrade swaps the factory 2⅜″ casters on a JMI Triangle Style Wheeley Bar for three 5″ polyurethane wheels, each with a full-locking brake, on mounting plates cut for the Triangle Style frame. The larger diameter rolls over expansion joints and small obstacles that stop the small factory casters, the polyurethane tread runs quieter and leaves no black marks on finished concrete or garage epoxy, and the brakes hold the Dobsonian platform still at the eyepiece. The kit raises the platform 6⅝″ off the ground, weighs 9 lb, and is made in the USA by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you roll a Triangle Style Wheeley Bar and its 8″, 10″ or 12″ Dobsonian across hard ground — a garage floor, a driveway, an observatory slab or smooth pavement — and the small factory casters catch on every joint and crack on the way out. It also suits you if you want the rocker box to stay exactly where you parked it while you nudge the scope by hand, including on a pad with a slight fall to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5″ wheels in place of 2⅜″:\u003c\/strong\u003e more than double the factory diameter, which is what lets the platform roll over expansion joints and small obstacles instead of stopping at them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePolyurethane tread:\u003c\/strong\u003e quieter and gentler on finished floors than the factory hard rubber, and it leaves no black scuff marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull-locking brakes:\u003c\/strong\u003e each wheel locks against both rotation and swivel, so three engaged brakes hold the platform on a slight slope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTriangle Style mounting plates:\u003c\/strong\u003e sized for the Dobsonian platform frame and supplied with all the mounting hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRide height:\u003c\/strong\u003e raises the platform 6⅝″ off the ground, per JMI’s published figure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA\u003c\/strong\u003e by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWheel diameter is the single variable that decides what a dolly can roll over. A wheel meets an edge at an angle set by the ratio of the obstacle height to the wheel radius, and the smaller that radius, the steeper the climb and the more of the push goes into lifting rather than moving. Going from 2⅜″ to 5″ more than doubles the radius, which flattens that angle considerably — an expansion joint or a lip at a garage door that the factory casters stall against becomes something the 5″ wheels roll through without the platform lurching. That matters more than it sounds, because every lurch is transmitted straight into a rocker box carrying a mirror.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brake is the other half of the design. An ordinary caster brake stops the wheel turning but leaves the swivel free, so a braked dolly can still shuffle sideways when it is pushed. These are full-locking: the lever clamps the wheel and the swivel together, which removes both degrees of freedom at each corner. With all three engaged the platform is fixed rather than merely slowed, which is what a Dobsonian needs, since manual tracking means pushing on the scope all night long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWheeling a 10″ or 12″ Dob from the garage to the driveway over a threshold and a couple of expansion joints.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a setup around an observatory slab or a club pad without lifting it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParking the platform on a driveway with a slight fall and keeping it there through a session of manual tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRolling across a finished garage floor where hard-rubber casters would leave marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding out a Triangle Style bar alongside the Triangle Style Leveling Screws and Hardware kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTriangle Style only:\u003c\/strong\u003e the mounting plates are cut for the JMI Triangle Style Wheeley Bar and cover its whole range, which is a single size class carrying 8″, 10″ and 12″ Dobsonians.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUniversal-style bars\u003c\/strong\u003e take the Universal-style 5″ wheel upgrade. The wheels themselves are the same polyurethane locking design, but the plates do not interchange between the two frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSky Trekker models\u003c\/strong\u003e fall outside this fitment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeveling screws are separate:\u003c\/strong\u003e this is the wheel upgrade, and the Triangle Style Leveling Screws and Hardware kit adds levelling to the same frame.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 6⅝″ ride height changes the eyepiece height accordingly, which is worth knowing if you observe seated at a fixed-height chair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us which Wheeley Bar and which Dobsonian you own and we’ll check the fit for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThese wheels are made for hard, smooth ground.\u003c\/strong\u003e Concrete, asphalt, garage epoxy and tile are where 5″ polyurethane performs; grass, gravel, mulch and sand still catch the wheel at this diameter. Off-pavement use on a Triangle Style platform calls for larger pneumatic wheels, which are a special order through CXB Astro.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe plates are frame-specific.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Universal-style bar takes the Universal version of this upgrade rather than this one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeveling screws are not part of this kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Triangle Style leveling kit covers that separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe platform sits 6⅝″ higher\u003c\/strong\u003e on these wheels than on the ground, which raises the eyepiece by the same amount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe kit weighs 9 lb\u003c\/strong\u003e and ships as one carton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The Triangle Style mounting plates bolt to the frame with the hardware supplied, and the casters attach to the plates. It is a hand-tool job with no drilling, and the instructions are in the box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this fit a Universal-style Wheeley Bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The wheels are the same design as the Universal 5″ upgrade, but the mounting plates are sized for the Triangle Style frame. The Universal-style 5″ wheel upgrade is the right part for that bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo the locks really hold the platform still?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Each brake holds against wheel rotation and caster swivel together, so with all three engaged the platform stays put even on a slight slope — which is what keeps the rocker box stationary while you track by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill the polyurethane wheels mark a garage floor?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Polyurethane is the usual tread for equipment rolled indoors precisely because it does not leave the black scuffing that hard-rubber casters do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan these be used on grass or gravel?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot well. At 5″, a polyurethane wheel is a hard-surface wheel, and soft or broken ground catches it. For off-pavement observing on a Triangle Style platform, larger pneumatic wheels are a special order through CXB Astro — send us a note and we’ll look into it with them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a USA-made 9 lb set of three 5″ locking polyurethane casters with Triangle Style mounting plates, replacing the factory 2⅜″ casters on a JMI Dobsonian Wheeley Bar and raising the platform 6⅝″. It rolls smoothly and quietly on hard floors and locks solid against rotation and swivel, and it pairs with the Triangle Style leveling kit.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53560524865647,"sku":"TPWTD5W","price":216.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/DSC_8357_f773b7f7-f4b8-431f-af30-73262e7c200a.jpg?v=1783196882"}],"url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/collections\/jmi-wheel-upgrades.oembed","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}