Need advice on building roller

[moored4]

Get a heavey wall pipe put it thru then put solid stub shafts in each end of the pipe that are machined to fit your bearings!

 

[moored4]

Why not weld trailer spindles to each side, then you put your bearings/hub on, then fab a mount for your tow bar to bolt on the hubs, throw on some buddy bearing caps like for aboat trailer axle, then you grease it up before each use.

I dont think that a propane tank has thick enough metal walls to weld too to support the spendals when its filled with water. Every pully, head spool, or roller i have ever worked on had a thru shaft of some sort!

 

[cowski]

i would install a heavy gauge pipe through the tank.then install 2 stub axle hub assemblies that fit .it will not leak ,with a good weld.

 

[Case485Guy]

I dont think that a propane tank has thick enough metal walls to weld too to support the spendals when its filled with water. Every pully, head spool, or roller i have ever worked on had a thru shaft of some sort!

Most of the ones I have experience with had 3/8" thick walls, though one did have 1/4" thick. Either one should support a spindle welded correctly. The lifting eyes welded to the tank were designed for overhead lifting capabilities, welded straight to the tank with load capacities to include a loaded tank.
Not knocking the through shaft design. To me is overkill for a roller like this. I have seen writeups on both setups on other forums and both have worked.

 

[moored4]

i would install a heavy gauge pipe through the tank.then install 2 stub axle hub assemblies that fit .it will not leak ,with a good weld.

Post # 11!

 

[cowski]

sorry over looked your post .could of just said +1. you could could always fill the tank with concrete.i have seen several rollers made that way.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I would be leery of this. The dynamics of the water sloshing around in the tank will produce a lot of stress on any weld you do on the ends. The contour of the ends precludes welding on a doubler plate. As mentioned before propane tanks are thin material; no problem when stationary and all the weight concentrated and stable. Those tank ends will flex under the stress and crack at the weakest point. Pure physics at work here. I would put a piece of Schd 40
6" pipe through and weld to seal the water. Then blank off the ends with plate and install a set of trailer hubs either bolt or weld on to form axels for the towing bridle. Weld a drain and air vent on one end for ease of filling and draining, I would probably make it 2" pipe half coupling with a plug.

Lots of luck.Ron

 

[Case485Guy]

I am not trying to argue here, but what is considered thin on these tanks? The 250 gallon tanks I have seen are no where near what I would call thin, the tanks used to supply propane to a home about 6' or so long, thats the style i have seen used for rollers.Maybe I am thinking of a different tank

 

[Case485Guy]

Check this link out for an idea
Lawn roller made from 500 gallon propane tank | Freaky Acres

 

[E/S]

I would use a mobile home axle, extended to the length you need through the tank.
Cheep and easy to seal up.

E/S