Thanks everyone for the positive replies, it's these reactions that keep the motivation up when trying to complete projects
As far as the brace goes , thanks for the suggestions and I'll try and explain a little better what happens when the motor is attached with out the brace.
When attached and the lid is off it doesn't lift the opposite side where the shaft runs through the ring
The top of the ring tends to roll out and the bottom push in at 2 points, say if the motor end of the ring is north and the other end of the shaft is south the ring has pull on it at east & west
Now it's not all that critical, it won't pop out of position and really the only way you can notice it is the motor doesn't look level
I can push down on the shaft end as hard as I want and it won't make any difference
And once the lid is on the sides of the ring pull in and the motor sits back up level
I think the combination of cutting slots for the shaft and having 8lbs hanging a foot off the side of the ring is the issue. The brace was a nice easy fix. Once the motor is supported problem solved plus it's just a nut and bolt attaching it that can easily removed but I guess it does lose a bit of sleekness with the brace
As far as the motor Hank, it's rated to turn 40kg or 90lbs and I don't think your going to get much more meat than that inside the ranch