JMI Heavy-Duty Large Universal Wheeley Bar — Telescope Dolly

The JMI Heavy-Duty Large Universal Wheeley Bar is built for the biggest tripod-mounted telescopes — observatory-class rigs, Losmandy Titan setups, and any system where the tripod's legs spread wide and the eyepiece sits high. Roll your complete, fully assembled rig from storage to your observing pad without disturbing a single cable, alignment, or counterweight position. 300 lb capacity. Made in California, USA.

Product Overview

The JMI HD Large is a 300 lb-rated steel telescope dolly for tripod-mounted telescopes with a tip-to-tip distance of 49″ to 56.5″ at observing height. It is the largest member of the Universal Wheeley Bar family, designed for wide-legged tripods on observatory-class mounts and large visual telescopes that require a high eyepiece position. Ships with 5″ polyurethane wheels and heavy-duty 5/8″ leveling screws.

Who Is This Product Best For?

Owners of large observatory-class telescopes — Losmandy Titan, Paramount, or similar mounts on wide-leg tripods. Also suited for large visual refractors or Newtonians on tall equatorial tripods where a higher eyepiece position means the legs are spread very wide. If your tip-to-tip distance is between 49″ and 56.5″, this is your model.

Why Choose This Product?

• Widest span in the lineup: Fits tripods with a 49″–56.5″ tip-to-tip — no other Universal model covers this range.
• 300 lb capacity: Fully supports the heaviest observatory-class telescope systems.
• Tall-eyepiece advantage: Taller legs allow a higher natural eyepiece height while keeping the rig stable and mobile.
• Roll out, observe, roll back: Session-to-session polar alignment and cable routing remain intact.
• USA-made: Welded steel, powder-coat finish, built to last decades.

Compatibility and Accessory Notes

Fits tripods with a tip-to-tip distance of 49″ to 56.5″ at observing height. Tripod foot receptacle is 2-3/4″ I.D. Full-size Tie-Down Bracket Kit and 10″ pneumatic all-terrain wheel upgrade available separately.

Important Limitations

• Tip-to-tip range 49″–56.5″ — measure carefully before ordering; most standard tripods fall in the HD Medium range instead
• Tie-Down Bracket Kit sold separately
• Standard 5″ wheels for hard surfaces; 10″ pneumatic upgrade needed for grass or gravel
• Always push or pull below the telescope's centre of gravity

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I need the HD Large versus the HD Medium?
Measure your tripod tip-to-tip at observing height. If it measures between 34″ and 42.5″, use the HD Medium. If it measures between 49″ and 56.5″, use the HD Large. Most consumer GEM tripods fall in the HD Medium range; large observatory tripods typically fall in the HD Large range.

Can I use 10″ pneumatic wheels with the HD Large?
Yes — the 10″ pneumatic wheel + tow handle upgrade is available separately for all-terrain use.

Our Recommendation

The HD Large is the right choice for owners of observatory-class telescope systems with wide-spread tripod legs in the 49″–56.5″ range. If your tripod measures less than 49″ tip-to-tip, the HD Medium will fit and is more appropriate. Always measure your tripod at your intended observing height before ordering.