Large Lawn Roller

[Timber]

Ok Hear is what I found out in the tall grass. I knew it was hear and had ideas for it but wasn't sure if it was solid. It is an old upright compressor tank. I thought it was full of cement but it is not. Somebody tried to cut it in 1/2 but gave up for some reason. I will re weld the seem and wash off what doesn't need to be there. Ok hear is the ? I think cement would be much to heavy so I think water tight would be best and put a fill plug in the end. I am open to all suggestions

 

[Hydroman 17]

I had one built for my JD 4720 out of an old 500 gal. propane tank. Had mine set up with the bung in it but never had to fill it as it mounts on the loader frame and uses the down pressure of the tractor. Used it to roll newly seeded ballfields and pasture.

 

[Tom_Veatch]

... I think cement would be much to heavy so I think water tight would be best and put a fill plug in the end. ...

That's where I'd cast my vote. Water filled also gives you the option to vary the weight should you need a lighter weight at some time in the future.

What is it, roughtly 6' long, 2.5' diameter? If so, it's probably about a 200 gallon tank which would contain roughly 1600# of water.

Concrete weight varies with the type and mix, but to SWAG it, double the water weight or (very) roughly 3200 to 3800# if you go with concrete.

 

[hoddykubody]

See if you can cut off the bungs that are external from the radius and just trim up a piece of steel to weld back in smooth. I just built mine the material I used for the drum was 3/4 wall old natural gas pipeline 78" wide X 30" high ' used 3x3x3/8 angle frame with 2" pillow block bearings. I hade some 1/4" plate I welded on the ends and welded in a 1" bung to fill with water . I also used a trailer hitch with a ball instead of a drawbar pin . Seems to stop the jerking .Hope mthis helps

 

[bobodu]

Personaly,I think you'd be better off cutting her in half and making side by side rollers out of it.A six foot roller will be **** on the lawn when turning.

 

[Timber]

with the size of my property that will not be a problem. I also want to back up with it too

 

[ddonnell]

Timber,

Filled with water, what do think that bad boy will weigh?

 

[Timber]

See if you can cut off the bungs that are external from the radius and just trim up a piece of steel to weld back in smooth. I just built mine the material I used for the drum was 3/4 wall old natural gas pipeline 78" wide X 30" high ' used 3x3x3/8 angle frame with 2" pillow block bearings. I hade some 1/4" plate I welded on the ends and welded in a 1" bung to fill with water . I also used a trailer hitch with a ball instead of a drawbar pin . Seems to stop the jerking .Hope mthis helps

Thank you I was kind of on the fence about using a trailer ball. I had planed on using pillow bearings. I am going to cut those flanges out with a torch. I want to rinse the sediment out of the inside too. I'll just weld patches over the holes and it will be fine. I would love to see some pictures of you roller. Does it dig in when turning wit a 90% corner on the ends

Filled with water, what do think that bad boy will weigh?

I am going to guess around 1500 pounds or so but I will be able to regulate the wt

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I've got a 4' (X 20" dia.) roller I made a few years back to roll sod with. I fill it with water. It developed a few leaks after using it. Rather than find all the pin holes in my welding, I "lined" it with gas tank sealer. Water allows you to vary the weight as needed. Concrete is too permanent.

 

[Timber]

I've got a 4' (X 20" dia.) roller I made a few years back to roll sod with. I fill it with water. It developed a few leaks after using it. Rather than find all the pin holes in my welding, I "lined" it with gas tank sealer. Water allows you to vary the weight as needed. Concrete is too permanent.

I was kind of thinking about something like that, What did you use and how did you go about spreading it inside. I am sure by rolling it

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I was kind of thinking about something like that, What did you use and how did you go about spreading it inside. I am sure by rolling it

I hung the roller from an engine hoist, poured in the sealer, then turned the drum by hand every few minutes until I was satisfied that everything inside was coated. Then I put a hose on the exhaust pipe of the wifes car, put the other end in the drum (thru bung) and let the exhaust heat "cure" the sealer. The contractor I work for has sealed several rusty fuel tanks (on excavating equipment) that way. Works like a charm!

 

[Timber]

Thank you I think I will do this too do you remember what product you used. It makes sense to me to do this right off the bat

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Thank you I think I will do this too do you remember what product you used. It makes sense to me to do this right off the bat

I'll have to take a look back through my records. I'm thinking it was "Red xxxx" or "xxxx Red". (Yes, it IS red)

 

[Nuru]

Yep, water will definitely make it more flexible due to the ability to vary the weight.

 

[hoddykubody]

Timber : Here's a few pics of my roller . Notice I chamferred the ends on an angle so as not to tear when turning.

 

[ToadHill]

I don't know why you want to roll any lawn. Compacted soil is an invitation for weed growth. Weld a bunch of points on it and aerate the soil.

 

[john_bud]

It may be a challenge to weld that old rust bucket up water tight. Remember, the tank probably is already compromised from rust damage. Most abandoned air tanks were tossed out due to leaking, that may make fixing it a pain in the, well you know! Why not just weld it up and use sand instead of water? No reason you HAVE to fill it all the way up. You won't have to dump it in the fall and it won't rust thru.



jb

 

[hbarski]

I don't know why you want to roll any lawn. Compacted soil is an invitation for weed growth. Weld a bunch of points on it and aerate the soil.

I don't have much of a choice. My place grows rocks by the ton. If I happen to scratch the surface and it rains, they rise on up to the top. The good thing is that if you roll after a heavy rain, you can push them right back into the ground. This will push the football size rocks in after a few passes.

It is 30" x 10' gas pipe.

 

[Timber]

John I love the sand Idea. In fact I have sand from my old pool. Not only that it will keep the inside clean all the time too. Thanks

 

[638]

Timber,

I'm in the process of building a roller out of a 500 gal propane tank. I'm going to cut off the rounded ends and weld 1/4" plate on each end so as to shorten the roller to 6 feet wide. It is 3 ft in dia. I plan on filling with water, should end up being about 400 gal worth. I can't have more that 6ft wide in order to be able to get it on my 6ft 4in wide trailer. I 'm going to use a 2" shaft with pillow block bearings. Water fill will be best for me as I can then adjust the weight as necessary. By the way, the end pieces will make awsome fire pits for me and my son.

ron