TSC Lawn Roller

[aczlan]

I have considered building a roller. I have plenty of scrap iron laying around for the tongue, But I haven't been able to source material suitable for the roller. There isn't a ton of scrap yards around, and most will not let you browse through their yard.

Put an ad on CL asking for a old galvanized pressure tanks and perhaps also call your local plumbers asking if they could hold the next one they get for you...

Aaron Z

 

[TnWV]

Put an ad on CL asking for a old galvanized pressure tanks and perhaps also call your local plumbers asking if they could hold the next one they get for you...

Aaron Z

Thanks for the tip, I'll look for one. I haven't had much luck with Craigslist. I look for stuff all the time and never find anything close. I've even searched for 55 gallon drums I could use for fuel barrels and never find any. Constantly looking for a heavy rear blade or box blade 7-8', and never find a thing worth looking at.

 

[RG1]

Put an ad on CL asking for a old galvanized pressure tanks and perhaps also call your local plumbers asking if they could hold the next one they get for you...

Aaron Z

I have seen several made from old tanks that have rounded ends and prevent scuffing/gouging on turns. If a guy can get his hands on the tank, a really well made roller that is heavy duty can be had for very little.

 

[ishiboo]

Do keep in mind the problem of soil compaction/etc. if you are rolling your lawn. I'd say aerating is a must in most soils then, even moreso than without rolling.

I like to spread topsoil/sand in low areas slowly to bring them up, instead of trying to compact the high areas. Obviously with frost heave bumps/etc. that's not necessarily an option, however once the thaw is complete most of mine seem to go away.

 

[94BULLITT]

Thanks for all the comments and info. Looks like none of the TSC stores close to me have one in stock right now, so I'll be shopping around some. May even call a few rental yards and see what they may have. Renting a heavier unit may be a good choice if the local rental yards carry them.

I have considered building a roller. I have plenty of scrap iron laying around for the tongue, But I haven't been able to source material suitable for the roller. There isn't a ton of scrap yards around, and most will not let you browse through their yard.

If you order it online from TSC they will to ship it to the store for free.

 

[mangus580]

I have one and it works well, but if you dont drain it when it gets cold out, it will break the welds holding the bar in at one end...

Aaron Z

Sounds like you have experience in this....

How about experience in fixing it?? LOL (guess what I did....)

 

[aczlan]

Sounds like you have experience in this....
How about experience in fixing it?? LOL (guess what I did....)

Well, if you misweld it (not enough wire speed on a MIG), its a real pain to grind out the bad weld due to how the end of the drum is shaped...

One of these days, I need to spend some quality time with a angle grinder and a dremel to carve out the mess that I put in there and weld it properly (or just fill it with cement/sand). Until then, it leaks a little on one end.

Aaron Z

 

[mangus580]

Well, if you misweld it (not enough wire speed on a MIG), its a real pain to grind out the bad weld due to how the end of the drum is shaped...

One of these days, I need to spend some quality time with a angle grinder and a dremel to carve out the mess that I put in there and weld it properly (or just fill it with cement/sand). Until then, it leaks a little on one end.

Aaron Z

Drag it on up - we can have a roller fixing party!

 

[TnWV]

Do keep in mind the problem of soil compaction/etc. if you are rolling your lawn. I'd say aerating is a must in most soils then, even moreso than without rolling.

I like to spread topsoil/sand in low areas slowly to bring them up, instead of trying to compact the high areas. Obviously with frost heave bumps/etc. that's not necessarily an option, however once the thaw is complete most of mine seem to go away.

My soil is mostly red clay and I'm sure compaction has a lot to do with my problem as is. It is very difficult to get good grass to grow which allows the rain runoff to cut grooves in the clay causing a good bit of my ruff ground. I'm not worried about a perfect lawn and don't even mind a few bare spots, I just want it to be smooth enough to run the mower at a good speed without rattling my teeth. I'm sure aerating it would help with new grass growing and probably help solve my issues. Problem has been finding a reasonably priced aerator. I've considered hiring it out, but with 3-4 acres that needs done, I could most likely go ahead and get an aerator for similar cost.

Maybe I just need to build a roller and weld spikes on it to aerate as it rolls! Kill two birds with one stone.

 

[TnWV]

If you order it online from TSC they will to ship it to the store for free.

That is exactly what I will have to do if I decide to get the TSC unit. I was just hoping to be able to look it over first. I guess as long as the roller itself is good, I can always beef up/fix the tongue as necessary.

I really just need to make sure that 920lbs is enough to make a difference on my yard.