Transporting barrels of water...

the old grind · May 29, 2013

I put open-top plastic drums in the loader and wrap quick tie-downs to keep them from sliding out, floating a 5 gal bucket upright in each to minimize sloshing/splashing, then drop 'em off if I have enough free to do so. I've put (plastic) window screens over the tops to let rain top them up and keep bugs/litter out when sitting. I lug smaller amounts in pairs of 5 gal buckets on the floor of the golf cart with 2 gal ice cream tubs floating & they usually 'jostle' out to the trees or fire pit more than 3/4 full, with a dipper in each one.

I fill drums from the pond (a foot-deep creek oughta do) with a 2" gas pump vs over-drawing my well & dip with the 2s to fill the 5s. Rear forks might lift more than a FEL depending on your tractor & equip. I suggest these as a temp solution while you sort out the tank possibilities. With more than two drums, weight alone might be a problem even without sloshing, & mobility might not be 'all that'.

aczlan · May 29, 2013

the old grind said:
With more than two drums, weight alone might be a problem even without sloshing, & mobility might not be 'all that'.

This is going on a trailer with a 3500# axle that will be pulled behind the RTV500, the BX2660 or the B7500. Weight shouldn't be an issue, I was mainly worried about water sloshing around and pushing the tow vehicle in hard stop like the current 30 gallon barrel in a "lawnmower trailer" does.

Aaron Z

the old grind · May 29, 2013

aczlan said:
This is going on a trailer with a 3500# axle ... Weight shouldn't be an issue ...

Considering load per tire I suggest using fairly wide 'LTs' vs typically narrow trailer rims/rubber if ground covered will ever be soft. (That's what I was getting at with o'all wt.) Mounting high may make them easier to tap, but mounting low will reduce tipping if one wheel hits a soft spot. If you're lucky, you'll never have to back up with a full load.

I've been lucky that I never had to water more than 175 trees at a time, and rarely more than twice in one week. (Hot sand doesn't seem to hold water very well)

aczlan · May 29, 2013

the old grind said:
Considering load per tire I suggest using fairly wide 'LTs' vs typically narrow trailer rims/rubber if ground covered will ever be soft. (That's what I was getting at with o'all wt.) Mounting high may make them easier to tap, but mounting low will reduce tipping if one wheel hits a soft spot. If you're lucky, you'll never have to back up with a full load.

Ah. I get it now.
It currently has some very tall, skinny and ancient (in tire years) trailer tires installed on its 13" rims. I have access to some wider 13" tires which (if they will hold the weight) will get installed the next time I make it out to where they are. If that doesn't work, I will hit the local junkyard for some 15" Ranger rims and get the shortest 15" takeoffs I can find put on them.

Aaron Z