James,if you are buying NEW steel to work with for a machine project,it only takes a little more $$ to go with 1/4"wall over the 3/16. After all the effort you will put into a build only to have a failure due to thin material not up to the stress, 1/4" is worth the extra money. Something else to think about is machine weight, the more your machine weighs the more stable it will be..there are exceptions to that,but a heavier loader or hoe will be able to breakout more dirt and move more with ease..more traction with a heavier machine..no lecture here just experience, and go out and get some 4x4 and 6x6 wood and cut it up into blocks to prop materials up on,and for when you are under the machine when building..safety first..I work on equipment all day and good shoring and blocking is mandatory. Ive been injured and have had many close calls.-shake hands with danger stuff..be careful,protect yourself..you can always start over with new steel, but you only get one set of fingers on each hand..best of luck
