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height reduction
I can add something here as I know the scope!
Two more ideas at least.
1/ If you want to use your wheeled platform idea change from the wheels below to a design where the castors are attached to a frame at a point above the platform. Find the height of the attachment point from the height of the castors that provides clearances so the wheels turn okay.
Remake it in steel.
Not much gained?
2/ Remove the feet from the lower mount ring - that saves 1.5inch. Make up steel brackets that attach to the lower ring and castors.
Not much gained either.
3/ If you add some kgs of weight to the bottom end of the telescope you shift the COG down the tube. Then you can move the altitude-bearing-steel-ring-attachment part down the telescope. Then you can replace the 3 azimuth bearing frame sections. Risks overloading the tube frame. You couldnt simply add weights to the mirror cell. The tube frame could be reinforced simply enough with added struts and thick rings made to match from 5mm(?) aluminium sheeting. An engineering workshop would do a good welding job. Theres an equation to work out the distances or just trial and error it on the ground with the steel ring off. Mock-up a frame in timber that has a design that is similar to the original and see how it swings.
If its good and the weight / cost is ok then proceed.
Gain could be substantial. Still gotta be 1800 to the eyepiece...
Fun!
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