Heavy Duty · 300 lb capacity
Save your back — roll your whole telescope outside in one trip.
The JMI Heavy-Duty Large Universal Wheeley Bar is the biggest member of the heavy-duty Universal family — built for the largest telescopes and for observers who want to set their tripod higher off the ground for easier eyepiece access. Move a fully assembled tripod-mounted telescope from storage to your observing spot — no disconnecting mount cables, cameras, or power between sessions. Lock the wheels, level the base on its built-in leveling bolts, and start observing. Built on a sturdy welded-steel frame by JMI (part of the CXB Astro family) and made in the USA.
With the widest tip-to-tip stance in the Universal line (49″–56.5″) and a 300 lb rating, the HD Large gives big visual and imaging rigs a stable, roll-anywhere base. Have a more compact tripod or a tighter doorway? Compare the HD Shorty and HD Medium below.
Specifications
Maximum load
300 lb total — tripod, mount, OTA, and all accessories combined
Tip-to-tip distance
49″ – 56.5″
Tripod tip receptacle
2-3/4″ I.D. — fits tripod feet up to 2-3/4″
Standard package
5″ polyurethane wheels + 5/8″ heavy-duty leveling screws
Construction
Welded steel, locking wheels, leveling bolts. Made in USA.
Best for
The largest telescopes and wide tripods — and a higher, easier eyepiece height
Which Wheeley Bar Size Fits Your Tripod?
Measure your tripod’s tip-to-tip distance at observing height, then match it to a model below. The heavy-duty models all carry up to 300 lb; the standard-duty Medium suits lighter rigs up to 50 lb.
Model
Capacity
Tip-to-tip range
Medium (Standard)
50 lb
32.3″ – 36.8″
HD Shorty
300 lb
26.25″ – 31.25″*
HD Medium
300 lb
34″ – 42.5″
HD LargeThis model
300 lb
49″ – 56.5″
*HD Shorty minimum tip-to-tip is 28.25″ when configured with 10″ pneumatic tires.
Not sure which Wheeley Bar is right for you?
Compare every model and walk through the full sizing guide.
See the full guide Find your fit Shop all Wheeley BarsConfigure & Upgrade Your Wheeley Bar
The HD Large ships ready to roll on hard, flat surfaces with 5″ wheels and heavy-duty 5/8″ leveling screws. Add the upgrades that match where and how you observe — all available in our Wheeley Bar Accessories collection:
5″ Wheels — Standard
Ships standard on all heavy-duty models. Smooth, stable ride on concrete, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces.
10″ Pneumatic Tires + Tow Handle
All-terrain upgrade for grass, dirt, and gravel. Raises the setup ~3.5″.
Tie-Down Bracket Kit
Secures and stabilizes your mount to the Wheeley Bar. Recommended for every setup.
Recommended: add the full Tie-Down Bracket Kit to lock your telescope securely to the Wheeley Bar — especially important with a tall, heavy rig and when moving over uneven ground.
Made in the USA
Every JMI Wheeley Bar is welded, assembled, and tested in the USA — click to watch how they’re built (the video also plays in the product gallery above).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tip-to-tip distance, and how do I measure it?
Tip-to-tip distance is the spread between two of your tripod’s feet at observing height — it’s how you confirm your tripod fits a given Wheeley Bar. To measure:
1. Set your tripod to observing height (comfortable eyepiece height for visual; as low as practical for imaging stability).
2. Lower the tripod ~6″ for the standard 5″ wheels, or ~3.5″ if you upgrade to 10″ pneumatic tires — this accounts for the lift the Wheeley Bar adds.
3. Measure between any two tripod tips. Match that number to the comparison table above (49″–56.5″ for the HD Large).
Which wheels should I choose?
Heavy-duty models ship with 5″ polyurethane wheels (the older 2-3/8″ wheels are no longer offered on HD bars). The 5″ wheels are ideal for concrete, sidewalks, and other hard surfaces. For grass, dirt, or gravel, upgrade to the 10″ all-terrain pneumatic tires — take care on soft or wet ground, where the tires can sink in.
Will it fit through my doorway?
With the 10″ large-wheel upgrade, your doorway must be at least 3″ wider than your tip-to-tip distance. For swiveling-caster models, the widest point is measured to the outside corners of the legs/leveling screws (about 3″ wider than tip-to-tip); the narrowest point — one leg end to the inside of the opposite side — tells you the tightest door you could wiggle through. The HD Large has the widest stance in the line, so check your doorways against the layout drawings below before ordering.
Layout Drawings
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