Watering Tank platform for 3pt hitch - ideas?

[JohnnyTractor]

I'm getting ready to plant 100 spruce trees, and would like to rig up a 50-65 gal tank on some type of 3 pt hitch platform to drive around and water them all.

I was thinking that I'd either buy a tank from TSC or F&F and then rig it to be gravity fed. I'm wondering is whether or not anyone has done this before. At the very least, I'd like to build a 'platform' for my 3pt hitch that would allow me to install a tank on. Any thoughts would be welcome.

cheers.

 

[beenthere]

About any cheap carry-all will do the trick for you.

Head for the nearest FarmFleet or FleetFarm.

Another way is to buy a 3pt tank sprayer and enjoy the benefits of spraying fertilizer, herbicide, and other things besides watering trees.

Or go to Northern Tool,
Carry-all $90

 

[jeffinsgf]

You probably won't be very happy with gravity feed. At least, I wasn't. A roller pump on your PTO makes the your project much easier. I went with a carry-all and added some hooks so that I could strap my 55 gallon plastic drum onto the carry-all. I put a pick-up tube with inline filter in one bung and a hose bib and pressure regulator in the other. I can water my remote trees easily and quickly.

 

[greg_g]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( At the very least, I'd like to build a 'platform' for my 3pt hitch that would allow me to install a tank on. )</font>

First consider that you've got what JD calls a " limited Cat 1 " TPH, and rear hydraulics rated at only 681 pounds. Then consider that you'd be asking an 1125 pound tractor to carry around 520 pounds of water, plus tank and supporting structure. And unless you've got a FEL that can counter a full tank of liquid, steering will probably be rather light.

And wide. If you've got any close quarters to consider, a TPH mounted tank will increase the overall width of your CUT. Towed tanks are typically mounted lengthwise. My recommendation for that particular tractor is a towed tank - two wheels or four, your choice - and a pump feed. I've never been satisfied with gravity feed myself.

//greg//

 

[rozett]

I think the towed tank is the best idea, but another alternative would be to mount the tank in you FEL and use a 12v pump. Just select a pump with a decent volume rating, as you don't need a lot of pressure.

 

[gordon21]

100 trees times a couple gallons each is a need for 200 gallons. If you ran a sprinkler pump at 10GPM, it would take 20 minutes of watering at a minimum. This sure sounds like you need a tow behind tank for basic watering. A 50 gallon tank will mean at least 3 trips to spray and then refill. Chemicals could probably be done with a smaller tank. Your tractor can tow at least a 100 gal tank on a small trailer. Water is something like 7# per gallon, so 100 gallons on a small trailer would be under 1000#

 

[Steve_Miller]

Johnny,
This is one I built myself if your into that. Very basic and cheap. As far as the galvanizing, I had the chance to throw it on a truck that was taking a bunch of stuff to get galvanized one day.

Steve

 

[RalphVa]

Do you have some old hoses?

A fellow master gardener told me what he used to irrigate his many blueberry bushes. He said to take and old hose and lay it where you have bushes/trees. Drill a 1/8" hole at each bush or tree in the hose.

Another thing. You could get some black poly pipe. You'd only need 1/2" to 3/4". Just unroll it beside your trees and drill the 1/8" holes where each tree is located. Plug off the end of the line and connect the other end to a supply source.

I have a combo of the above: 1100' of poly line down to my garden, past my trees and mini vineyard. Then I run hoses off tees in the poly and drilled 1/8" holes where I have trees and grape vines. Up top, I have rain tanks to feed the system or can connect from my well system. Down below, I can back pump from a little stream using a 1-2 gpm 12v electric pump. It'll run 3 or 4 hours on a battery recharge.

In the garden, I converted to PVC and used PVC to run along the ends of my rows. Then I run soaker hoses down each row.

Have shutoff valves where I have hoses, just one of those cheap ball valve types.

Sure beats lugging water all over the place.

Ralph

 

[db2]

I have a 125 gallon tank that I mounted on a frame(PT 4X4's) and I move it with a trailer. I use a 12V pump to move the water. Gravity was too slow for me. This setup works great. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[JohnnyTractor]

great ideas. I've got some really hilly territory, and it's not condusive to towing a trailer, so I really like the carry-all idea best. What's the best way to tie into the 12v system?

 

[BloomingtonMike]

So I am currently doing exactly whatyou are wanting to do with the carry all.

My first step was to convert my cary all to I-match. Thats now done.

Last weekend I made a platform for it - Now done as well.

I also added a 12V cig receptical under the seat of my 3320 as well. I have tied into the lighting system. I am going to change that to a relay controlled system for safety - but suffice it works perfectly and will be controlled by the switching on and off of my work lights. This will controll my pump for the sprayer.

I also made a cable for the sprayer that has a male cig plug on it. It connects the tractor to the pump.


Now all I need to do is move the boom 90 degrees (boom currently mounts at the narrow end of the tank - I want it along the long edge of the tank) and make a mounting system for the deck I made for the carry all. That or just make a dock for the sprayer cart as is and still have it on its own tailerable (lawn tractor) cart - essential convert it to 3pt when used for the 3320 and carry all.

 

[RalphVa]

I've a carryall that I use to carry mulch in. A pallet makes a great bottom for it. Just bolt it into place by drilling holes in the pallet boards to match the holes predrilled on the carryall.

I've another pallet that Lowes never would come pick up. Too bad you're not near me in central Va. You could have it.

Ralph