Need to know how to go about cutting up a semi-trailer frame

Ok guys and gals, here’s the scoop

Got an email for a job to remove what is essentially the remaining frame from a semi-trailer that was left on a property and deteriorated. It can’t be towed or anything so we’re thinking it would have to be cut up. What’s the best tool to use? I’m thinking of pitching the idea of buying a cutting torch but that’s a decent chunk for an up-front cost. Thoughts?

I’m thinking Patriot’s going to be my man on this one but anyone else who has dealt with these in the past, I would very much welcome their input.

PICTURES!

http://i.imgur.com/heelcoV.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/gugBDxP.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/3L2SGbt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/cHl8nt1.jpg

Well I have done a few of them, there is a lot of work involved labor, trash (wood) I would have to charge the customer $300.00 for the job that would cover your labor and torch, gas / oxygen, there is not as much weight there as you may think.

You can rent a torch with all the tips and gauges, don't buy one for this job it will cost you more for the set up than you will net.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 1956

You can rent a torch with all the tips and gauges, don't buy one for this job it will cost you more for the set up than you will net.

---

But a torch is the way to go you think? I’m definitely willing to rent one, I just don’t know where to do that. Have to do some research.

Tool rental shop. Yes a torch would be so much faster.

1956 is absolutely right, there is not as much weight as one might think.

Based on the condition of the steel, the rust is going to be a pain to cut with a torch. Most burners know that the gas of a torch heats the metal and the oxygen does the cutting. The rest of the recipe that few consider is the fuel is actually the metal you are cutting. Rust is a poor fuel for a torch. You can cut rust and even cast with experience, but it is time consuming. Unless you plan to do more of this type of scrapping, I would not buy a torch. The expense and learning curve will not make it worth it. My recommendation would be to use a Quickie Saw (also called a demo saw) with a cutting wheel for metal. Cut in pieces that you can handle. If you have equipment you can make less cuts.

If this was my project, I would burn the wood after a good snow fall. Make sure you notify the neighbors prior to doing it. Then using a skid loader, winch, and trailer it would be loaded in two pieces and hauled directly to the yard. I actually did one because it served as weight on top of several grain bins hauled to the yard. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Sorry Mechanic. You posted while I was on the phone.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Patriot76

1956 is absolutely right, there is not as much weight as one might think.

Based on the condition of the steel, the rust is going to be a pain to cut with a torch. Most burners know that the gas of a torch heats the metal and the oxygen does the cutting. The rest of the recipe that few consider is the fuel is actually the metal you are cutting. Rust is a poor fuel for a torch. You can cut rust and even cast with experience, but it is time consuming. Unless you plan to do more of this type of scrapping, I would not buy a torch. The expense and learning curve will not make it worth it. My recommendation would be to use a Quickie Saw (also called a demo saw) with a cutting wheel for metal. Cut in pieces that you can handle. If you have equipment you can make less cuts.

If this was my project, I would burn the wood after a good snow fall. Make sure you notify the neighbors prior to doing it. Then using a skid loader, winch, and trailer it would be loaded in two pieces and hauled directly to the yard. I actually did one because it served as weight on top of several grain bins hauled to the yard. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

---

This is excellent information, Patriot. You are the man.

My suggestion would be as patriot said a gas demo saw . You can rent one At homedepot or Etc. Or a big angle grinder .

Matty,

I did a pop up camper and a 2 axle tow behind camper last fall and this spring. Pain in the ass disposing of all the non metal. As others have said, not that much metal for the effort. I used a trusty sawzall, but a torch or gas cut off saw would have been quicker.

I would normally advocate for using a BFH. In this case I agree with the others an suggest a BFS. ;)

Have fun, be safe.

Sirscrapalot - I am trapped in this body, and there is nothing I can do about it. - Dudley Moore

Doesn't Harbor Freight sell a heavy duty semi trailer cutter upper tool?

Parter saw?

What is a Parter Saw? I would love to know more about it? Always willing to learn, just slow about learning.

Google image search it I don't know how to copy images on this tablet. Computer down:(

What I get..

http://www.concretesupplyhouse.com/i...ts/K750_lg.jpg

Sirscrapalot - Still prefers the term BFS.

Yup thats it I've heard of the fire department using them so they have to be good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Patriot76

What is a Parter Saw? I would love to know more about it? Always willing to learn, just slow about learning.

---

Partner saw is just another name for a gas demo saw with the round disc blades. Most people here are referring to it as a gas demo saw.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scrapping4ever

Yup thats it I've heard of the fire department using them so they have to be good.

---

I did 12 years on a fire department. We had these, but with newer technology they got used a lot less. We used them on car roofs, but an air chisel was better. Lighter and didn't throw sparks. We used them for venting roofs at a fire scene. Then we got specially designed "chain saws" that had depth gauges / safety covers and carbide bullet chains. These suckers would fly thru any roof. Nails were no match. We did have to replace a few chain teeth once in a while

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mthomasdev

I did 12 years on a fire department. We had these, but with newer technology they got used a lot less. We used them on car roofs, but an air chisel was better. Lighter and didn't throw sparks. We used them for venting roofs at a fire scene. Then we got specially designed "chain saws" that had depth gauges / safety covers and carbide bullet chains. These suckers would fly thru any roof. Nails were no match. We did have to replace a few chain teeth once in a while

---

Here is a link for any one interested in the saws used by the fire service today.

BULLET® Chain

Man, I would LOVE to use a Partner saw/K12/Demo saw. When I was in the fire department, we still used those for many-a-task and they made quick work of quite a few things. Cash is tight, so that’s not an option. We had a bullet (not the kind you ladies might use) as well and that was great for roofs, as MT mentioned.

But we have to start small. My partners went out to check the project to do a size-up and gather information for an estimate. There's also an aluminum pool we'll be pumping out and taking down. Cash is tight at the moment and the only cutting tool we have is my Harbor Freight angle grinder. Great little tool, but this is a liiiiiiiiiiiiittle out of its league. We’re going to go a step up and get a circular saw and some metal cutting blades. We’ll be scoping them out at Home Depot tonight.

Project should start Saturday morning. Will keep you guys updated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot

What I get..

http://www.concretesupplyhouse.com/i...ts/K750_lg.jpg

Sirscrapalot - Still prefers the term BFS.

---

We used them on stone masonry jobs to form corner stones in a flash . The old Italian man I worked with called them coroner stones .
Guys would be like who died ? That job was a trip . The old man once saw me drinking a red power aid first hing in the am and said to me. "Diesel in the morning "? Cracked me up .

Zapping that trailer into manageable pieces no problem, cheapest way would be to air arc the welds off second choice would be cutting torch.

When working with heavily scaled rusty metal I give it a whack with the sledge around the area I want to cut the rust pops right off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MattyNoNeck

We’re going to go a step up and get a circular saw and some metal cutting blades.

---

If you are going to invest in a circular saw I would recommend a Worm Drive...they are much more powerful then saws that run straight off the motor.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/...e/DSC08985.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot

What I get..

http://www.concretesupplyhouse.com/i...ts/K750_lg.jpg

Sirscrapalot - Still prefers the term BFS.

---

I've been looking into buying one of these badboys to cut up that farm implement.
Cheapest Used one I can find is a Husky for $500 bucks.
Since Farm Implement only weighs 3700 lbs .10 per lb, I'd have to use it more than on this one potential job to make it pay for itself. So I'm pondering.. but have researched heavily and thought as heavily about buying one! Never know when it would come in handy!!

if you think you will use it enough, it's worth it. if it saves you time on enough future dismantles, we're back to those "how much is your time worth to you?" questions again. if you are going to use it once a week, do it, once a month or less... maybe reconsider

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MattyNoNeck

Man, I would LOVE to use a Partner saw/K12/Demo saw. When I was in the fire department, we still used those for many-a-task and they made quick work of quite a few things. Cash is tight, so that’s not an option. We had a bullet (not the kind you ladies might use) as well and that was great for roofs, as MT mentioned.

But we have to start small. My partners went out to check the project to do a size-up and gather information for an estimate. There's also an aluminum pool we'll be pumping out and taking down. Cash is tight at the moment and the only cutting tool we have is my Harbor Freight angle grinder. Great little tool, but this is a liiiiiiiiiiiiittle out of its league. We’re going to go a step up and get a circular saw and some metal cutting blades. We’ll be scoping them out at Home Depot tonight.

Project should start Saturday morning. Will keep you guys updated.

---

Matty,

Talk to the local volunteer FD and offer them some "Jaws of Life" practice. I think a Hurst cutting tool would do the job. Make a small cash donation to the Fire Company. Let them know that if and when you get junk cars, you will let them use it for practice (after you part out what is good) before you junk it. You may make some good contacts for other jobs in the process. Bring a cooler of beer for after "Practice". I haven't meet to many firemen that don't participate in "Tea Time". You might want to invite SirScrapAlot also. Sure he'd be up for a cold one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mthomasdev

Matty,

Talk to the local volunteer FD and offer them some "Jaws of Life" practice. I think a Hurst cutting tool would do the job. Make a small cash donation to the Fire Company. Let them know that if and when you get junk cars, you will let them use it for practice (after you part out what is good) before you junk it. You may make some good contacts for other jobs in the process. Bring a cooler of beer for after "Practice". I haven't meet to many firemen that don't participate in "Tea Time". You might want to invite SirScrapAlot also. Sure he'd be up for a cold one.

---

We’d have to talk to the homeowner first but that’s a really great idea. I know that I never got enough time on our hydraulics on drill night and I would have definitely jumped at the chance to get some drill credit on a Saturday and cut some stuff up.
And yeah, post-drill tea time was always a favorite! I’ll put a few aside for the cooler.

Bout the only way you'll see me in NY. ;)

Sirscrapalot - Doesn't stray far from his sandbar..but will if the beverages are cold enough an plenty.

Local used tool place selling a Partner K650 demo saw, 12" - $300

Partner K650 Demo Saw