55gal snow roller/ compactor

NS Gearhead · Feb 22, 2016

Better late then never;

1.5" 3/16" wall square tubing... so far; $0 spent

Coupler was on sale for $8

Nuts, bolts and washers were $8 This was by far the messiest thing I've ever done in my life. I put the plate down, pushed the bolts through... but then I had to carefully start the nuts on the back through that 2" hole. Then fish the wrench on to the nut... but once I tightened it down the PL Premium squished out all over my hand and wrench. It got everywhere.

My first mistake was not completely welding the axle to the plates. I only welded 4 spots. Now that it's together I'd have to cut it apart to finish weld... and I may do that once it's home from the hill in the spring.

The axle is capped and held in place with those capped 2" pipe ends... then obviously drilled and tapped with a grease fitting. When I take it apart to finish weld the axle I may step down the axle to 3/4" pipe and upgrade to pillow block bearings. They're on sale at PA right now for $7 each.

Even packed some of the snow empty!

20 gals of -35deg washer fluid. Once I seal the axle it'll be able to be filled.

Didn't make much difference, but then again this was already packed down. Also, I noticed that it wants to slide side to side too easy. I'm trying to locate a 3' length of 24" culvert to slide over to give it some side to side grip. That'll be done before next winter.

mark02tj · Feb 22, 2016

Your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me!! :thumbsup:

Dutch445 · Feb 22, 2016

cool project,
i wonder if a large logging rope could make the corrugation you want.
start from the outside and wind the rope towards the middle, a few inches apart
each wrap, and then do the same from the other end. i would imagine some PL would hold the rope in a few places?

NS Gearhead · Feb 23, 2016

Dutch445 said:
cool project,
i wonder if a large logging rope could make the corrugation you want.
start from the outside and wind the rope towards the middle, a few inches apart
each wrap, and then do the same from the other end. i would imagine some PL would hold the rope in a few places?

I'm not too fond of the rope idea, but this made me think perhaps gluing strips of puck board might get the results I'm after!

NS Gearhead · Feb 23, 2016

mark02tj said:
Your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me!! :thumbsup:

Wow, thank you Sir! I guess it's a result of having a big imagination and a tight budget. LOL

The Fred · Feb 23, 2016

How about towing a couple old tires behind you?

How about using 1/2" stone as ballast instead of windshield washer fluid? You could throw a couple gallons of washer fluid in to keep it from freezing if it got wet.

Using the frame you already made could you get 4 tires and wheels off an old car and mount to an axle to let them roll as you drive like the barrel you have?

I love fiddling around making trails in the Winter, when we have snow (not this year) I use my old Case crawler and back drag the snow.

Years ago I remember a state of the art snow groomer that used a compactor plate built into the rear pan and that trail would hold up very well compared to other clubs I rode in the same area.