Ballast 275 gallon square tank

[freewookie]

Anyone used 3pt pallet forks with one of the 275 gallon square water tanks as a ballast? I need 1100 lbs and that seems an easy way to get there. I'd fill it with 150 gallons of water and antifreeze.

 

[rmorey]

You may have to watch the weight shifting when the water sloshes back and forth. Hard weight is more stable than liquid weight. :2cents:

 

[pat32rf]

If its frozen solid it can work, but if it is still liquid you will have a definite hazard....

 

[rmorey]

Exactly, especially with antifreeze in the water. I would consider a solid ballast, maybe concrete in a barrel or even make a box from OSB (chipboard) and fill it with cement with a drawbar mounted thru the box. When done you can remove the wood.

 

[freewookie]

The sloshing was a concern. I don't think I can get enough weight with cement in a metal drum. From what I've read that's only 700-800 lbs.

 

[Midniteoyl]

55 gallons is suppose to be 1000-1100lbs.. depending on how close to the top you get and cement type..



1 cu ft = 7.48 gal

55 gal / 7.48 = 7.3529411 etc.

7.3529411 cu ft in a 55 gal drum

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Concrete, Asphalt - 140lbs/cu.ft

Concrete, Gravel - 150lbs/cu.ft

Concrete, Limestone w/Portland - 148lbs/cu.ft

Specific Gravity Weights Of Materials from READE

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Using the limestone/portland mix would give you 148 x 7.35 = 1087.8lbs if filled to the brim.

A 55 gallon steel drum weighs about 44 pounds empty so 1088 + 44lbs = 1132lbs.

 

[thehorseguy]

Fill the same container part way with concrete? Like 1/2 a yard should be close to the weight you were looking for.

 

[Paul Thornton]

How about filling it with sand?

L2800 w/FEL - 72" Land Pride rake

 

[freewookie]

Thanks. All good ideas.

 

[RaydaKub]

I would avoid the liquid idea. Just watching and FEELING the difference in a 300 gallon sprayer behind the tractor, the sloshing around would not be helpful. And if you were on a sidehill, the weight would shift to the downhill side, totally opposite what you need it to do.