Motorized Add-On · For HD Wheeley Bars with 10″ Pneumatic Tires
Power-roll your fully assembled telescope from storage to the observing site — no pushing, no shoving, no lifting.
The JMI Motorized Wheeley Bar Add-On turns your existing Heavy-Duty Wheeley Bar into a remote-controlled, all-terrain telescope mover. A 12-volt drive unit takes over the front of your HD bar — variable speed via a 5/8″ speed dial, easy steering via the included tow handle. Built and assembled in the USA by JMI, part of the CXB Astro family.
Important — this is an add-on, not a complete Wheeley Bar. You must already own (or purchase separately) one of the supported Heavy-Duty Wheeley Bars in its 10″ pneumatic tire configuration. The motorized unit is engineered around the 10″ tire geometry and does not work with the standard 5″ caster setup. Supported HD models — and the matching variants to select above — are listed below.
Specifications
What's included
Motorized drive unit, 10″ pneumatic wheels, tow handle, steel battery pack holder, 5/8″ speed dial
Compatible Wheeley Bars
HD Shorty (TPWUSHHD), HD Medium (TPWUMEDHD), HD Large (TPWULG), AP Pier Mount (TPWUAP) — each set up with the 10″ pneumatic tire option
Not compatible with
Standard 50 lb Medium Wheeley Bar, Sky Trekker series, Triangle Style, or any HD bar still on its 5″ caster wheels
Power source
12-volt battery — not included. We recommend 17 amp-hour or greater for a full observing session.
Installation
Customer-installed onto your existing HD Wheeley Bar — straightforward bolt-on assembly with basic hand tools
Construction
Welded steel drive unit, pneumatic tires, integrated battery holder. Made in USA.
Pick the Right Variant for Your HD Bar
Select the variant that matches the Heavy-Duty Wheeley Bar you already own (or are buying alongside this add-on). Don't have an HD bar yet? Buy it first with the 10″ pneumatic tire upgrade, then add the motorized unit.
Variant SKU
For HD Bar
Requirements
Choose the matching variant in the picker above before adding to cart. HD Shorty owners: the kit is compatible with your bar — please contact support@cxbastro.com so we can confirm the right variant for your setup before you order.
See It in Action
Watch the motorized drive unit roll a fully assembled rig — variable speed via the 5/8″ speed dial, all-terrain pneumatic tires, easy tow-handle steering. Click the image to play on YouTube.
Power Source — Bring Your Own 12V
The motorized unit runs on standard 12-volt power. The battery is not included — most customers use a 12V deep-cycle marine battery, a sealed lead-acid jump pack, or a LiFePO4 battery. We recommend 17 amp-hours or greater so the drive unit can run a full observing session alongside your other 12V accessories. The included steel battery holder accommodates most standard 12V battery packs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy an HD Wheeley Bar separately?
Yes. The motorized unit is an add-on — it replaces the front section of an existing Heavy-Duty Wheeley Bar. You'll need an HD Medium, HD Large, or AP Pier Mount Wheeley Bar (purchased separately), set up with the 10″ pneumatic tire upgrade. The motorized unit will not work without one of those bars underneath it.
Will this work with my 5″-caster HD Wheeley Bar?
No. The motorized drive is engineered around 10″ pneumatic tires — the wheel geometry, ground clearance, and drive ratio all depend on the larger tire size. If your HD bar is currently on 5″ casters, you'll need to add the 10″ pneumatic tire upgrade before installing the motorized drive. The 10″ tires are also the right match for the all-terrain rolling the motor enables.
What battery do I need?
Any 12-volt power source with at least 17 amp-hours of capacity. Common choices include deep-cycle marine batteries, sealed lead-acid jump-pack–style batteries, and LiFePO4 packs. The battery is not included. The steel battery holder included with the motorized unit accommodates most standard 12V battery packs — bring whichever fits your runtime and weight preferences.
Is installation difficult?
No. The motorized drive unit is customer-installed — it bolts onto your existing HD Wheeley Bar with basic hand tools. Most customers complete the install in 15–30 minutes.
Will it work with my Dobsonian or a Sky Trekker / Triangle Style bar?
No. The motorized add-on is built specifically for the Heavy-Duty tripod-mount Wheeley Bars (HD Shorty, HD Medium, HD Large, AP Pier Mount). Dobsonian-platform models — Sky Trekker 200/300/350/400 and Triangle Style — use a different frame and aren't compatible.
Need the HD Wheeley Bar first?
Pair the motorized add-on with the right Heavy-Duty Wheeley Bar.
Shop all Wheeley Bars See the full guide
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