cordak
New member
This was two very OLD propane tanks that were very thick gauge steel. After cutting the bottoms at the right spot so one side would slightly slide into the other, I stood them up and used the trusty level to get them straight. Then tack welded them together and brought it down and rolled it on my concrete pad to check how straight it was. Amazingly it was perfect on the first try. Then weld weld weld.... Next created the frame with new 2" square tubing I got at cost due to knowing a mobile welder. Built the frame to fit and sit just right. It's 3/4 of an inch away from the roller and it knocks dirt clumps off and does not touch the roller at any point when lifting or lowering the frame around. Ordered the bearing off of ebay as they were the cheapest place to find them. Got a pack of 4 for $20ish. They are "Pillow Block Bearings, UCP205-16 P205". Got 36inch solid pipe 1 inch steel rods for the ends. Only had to clean the threads off of the original holes for the valves on the tanks, then welded in. Slid rollers on, packed them with grease and fastened to the rods. I built the frame to sit on 7 inch blocks of the square tubing. The pillow bearings bolt to the blocks and the ends are open so I can get a wrench in there. If there was ever a need to take the frame off or replace the bearings. Made the hitch mount out of an old tractor lift arm. This way it has the pivoting ball in the end helping with mobility. Cut a piece of the end of that tank off to fill with concrete then welded back on. Total weight, about 1400lbs. Length 6'3". I know YARD rollers work best when all of the weight is being pressed in a smaller/shorter roller but I needed length for mine as it will mostly be used to help rebuild my gravel driveway.
