55 Gal Rear Weight

[SouthernX]

Hi All,

I need to make a weight to hang of my 3pt hitch. The old 55gal drum filled with cement would do nicely. I've read some of the old threads on this subject in the TBN forums but I really didn't find a comprehensive set of instructions for the task. I understand the basic design / approach:

1) Insert steel rod through lower portion of barrel.
2) Fill barrel with cement.
3) Set bracket in cement at top of 55gal drum to hook top link to.

That seems easy enough but I do have some specific questions.

1) My three point accommodates either Cat 1 or 2 implements. I assume as the barrel will weigh around 1000lbs that a Cat 1 sized steel rod will suffice. Is that assumption correct?

2) As you all know, not all steel is created equal. I don't want to use a steel rod of insufficient strength only to have the ends snap on me and allow the barrel to possibly fall against and damage the tractor frame. Assuming at Cat 1 size diameter of steel rod, do I need to obtain a rod with a specific tensile strength rating? Does the rod need to have been processed / produced in a certain manner (i.e. cold rolled, forged, etc.)?

3) How far out do most of you allow the rod to extend out from the barrel? 4", 5", 6"???

4) Does it matter much whether you drill the rod and use a pin as opposed to threading the rod and secure it to the 3pt with a lock-washer and nut?

5) What do you most of you use for the bracket on the top that attaches to the 3pt top link? A U-Plate that you welded together? Just stick two pieces of steel plate in the cement? A pre-fabed U-Plate that you can buy? Do I need a certain tensile strength? What is the minimum thickness for the steel plate that I should use?

Obviously this is the first time I've built one of these and I want to make sure I get it right. I did search the Web in addition to TBN but I couldn't find anything about building one of these.

 

[Skyco]

I believe I'd pass a pipe through the bottom instead of a rod...that way the rod insert could be replaced if bent or snapped.

 

[KML]

You could use a draw bar. Relatively cheap, available, and that way you know it's strong enough and the right size. I'm using a Cat 2 bar with 26" spacing so that it fits right into my quick hitch without adapters. Got all the parts together just haven't gotten to it.

Tractor Supply Company - SpeeCo 3 Point Drawbar, Category 1

 

[bjcsc]

Hey, don't forget to put some PVC pipe in so you can carry tools. I think that's one of the coolest features of the concrete-filled ballast...

 

[Ford850]

I made mine using a drawbar from TSC like KML suggested. I used a hole saw to cut the 2 round ends of the oblong holes on each side of the barrel and finished the cuts with a saws-all. Slide the bar in place and seal the gaps on the inside of the barrel with duct tape.
While I was at TSC, I grabbed a stabilizer bar, some 1/2" all-thread, nuts and washers. I cut the stabilizer bar in half, drilled 3 holes in each half for the all thread (4" from the factory hole, and then 2" and 6" in from the cut end). The all-thread was used to hold the bars evenly spaced, and by using 10" pieces in the lower holes it works as an anchor in the concrete. The factory hole was left to the top for the top link, and one 4" piece of all thread a few inches below that holds the bars properly spaced. On at least the top all-thread you'll need 4 nuts (one on each side of each bar) to sandwich it in place holding the exact spacing and providing strong support when in use. I kept the bars tilted forward at a slight angle, off center and towards the tractor side of the barrel a few inches too. I got the measurements for the pin placements from some of my other attachments.
I used the premade materials because it was easier and relatively inexpensive. I had the holes cut and brackets made in less than an hour. Then I hand mixed many many batches of concrete in a wheelbarrow using an assortment of leftover cement types I had laying around. I used gravel and sand from piles I had left from other projects too. The whole project was done and mess cleaned up by 11:00 a.m., and didn't cost much at all.
I almost forgot... If you use the factory hole in the stabilizer bar for the toplink like I did, it is too large for the head of a toplink pin. I add a washer to the pin so it doesn't slide through the hole.

 

[rhett]

why not just use/make something similar to a '3pt carry all' and just fill the drum with water? (strapped to carry all)

that will give a multi-purpose setup that would have many uses.
1. carry all = a 3pt platform to transport a variety of items
2. 55 gal drum = many liquid uses. plastic drums recommended if spraying liquid fertilizers (corrosive) if a pto pump is in the future (55 x 8.3 = 456.5 lbs of water)

Rhett

 

[Soundguy]

Can also mount the drawbar on the bottom so that it is not permanently part of the weight.. a couple long carriage bolts screwed into the bottom of the drum, sticking down, to line up with holes inthe drawbar.. once cemented in.. will hold good.. just slip the drawbar onto the 'studs' protruding fromt he bottom.. add nuts and washers and go.. later.. if you ever ditch the weight.. reclaim your drawbar.

soundguy

 

[SouthernX]

You could use a draw bar. Relatively cheap, available, and that way you know it's strong enough and the right size. I'm using a Cat 2 bar with 26" spacing so that it fits right into my quick hitch without adapters. Got all the parts together just haven't gotten to it.

Tractor Supply Company - SpeeCo 3 Point Drawbar, Category 1

Thanks for the posted pic and the link. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Using a drawbar may be the way to go. Thanks.

 

[SouthernX]

I believe I'd pass a pipe through the bottom instead of a rod...that way the rod insert could be replaced if bent or snapped.

I'm not sure if I am going to use a rod or a drawbar like KML suggested. If I do use a rod, putting a pipe in as you suggested is a great idea. Thanks.

 

[SouthernX]

why not just use/make something similar to a '3pt carry all' and just fill the drum with water? (strapped to carry all)

that will give a multi-purpose setup that would have many uses.
1. carry all = a 3pt platform to transport a variety of items
2. 55 gal drum = many liquid uses. plastic drums recommended if spraying liquid fertilizers (corrosive) if a pto pump is in the future (55 x 8.3 = 456.5 lbs of water)

Rhett

Great idea Rhett. I think I'll make a cement drum and a water drum. They would both be useful to have. I like the ability to vary the weight by how much water you would put in the barrel. That would be useful. Seems so obvious once you mentioned it.