Need advice on building roller

Ruark · Feb 28, 2012

I have an old 250 gallon propane tank (yes, it's empty) I want to convert to a roller to roll my pastures with before and after seeding. This needs to be a really low-budget project. What I need advice on is how to attach some kind of axle hubs or something on the ends, so I can pull it with the tractor.

I was thinking of welding some short 1" diameter bolts onto the ends, but wouldn't they be likely to break off? Remember it weighs about 2,100 lbs. full of water. If I can just get something "sticking out" on each end, I can handle the rest. I'm good with a stick welder, but I just need some ideas on a way to do this. Thanks.

Shield Arc · Feb 28, 2012

I think I'd run a shaft all the way through the tank, and use pillow block bearings bolted to the frame work.

Ruark · Feb 28, 2012

Shield Arc said:
I think I'd run a shaft all the way through the tank, and use pillow block bearings bolted to the frame work.

Yeah, but it's hard to make it watertight with that shaft going through there. Maybe I could make the holes for the shaft just big enough for it to slip through, then weld them shut. Not sure where I could find a heavy, straight steel shaft like that, though, that wouldn't cost a fortune.

Lineman North Florida · Feb 28, 2012

The ones I've seen around here have approx 6" worth of shaft welded to each end of the pipe which is 24" well casing, the shaft goes in pillow block bearings which can be purchased from Agri-supply. One of the rollers is 8' wide and can be hauled on a trailer, the other is 16' and never leaves his farm, there's no need to hook anything to it less than 100 horses with 4x4.

Shield Arc · Feb 28, 2012

Ruark said:
Yeah, but it's hard to make it watertight with that shaft going through there.

Ruark said:
I'm good with a stick welder,

Really?

radioman · Feb 28, 2012

Ruark said:
Yeah, but it's hard to make it watertight with that shaft going through there. Maybe I could make the holes for the shaft just big enough for it to slip through, then weld them shut. Not sure where I could find a heavy, straight steel shaft like that, though, that wouldn't cost a fortune.

it wouldnt be a problem if you got a solid steel bar going all the way thru and you weld in in place. If it leaks- mark it and drain water weld over it. :thumbsup: won't leak again .

Shield Arc · Feb 28, 2012

Maybe you can beat these prices locally.

Order Mild Steel 1018 Round in Small Quantities at OnlineMetals.com

sweettractors · Feb 28, 2012

Ruark said:
I have an old 250 gallon propane tank (yes, it's empty) I want to convert to a roller to roll my pastures with before and after seeding. This needs to be a really low-budget project. What I need advice on is how to attach some kind of axle hubs or something on the ends, so I can pull it with the tractor.

I was thinking of welding some short 1" diameter bolts onto the ends, but wouldn't they be likely to break off? Remember it weighs about 2,100 lbs. full of water. If I can just get something "sticking out" on each end, I can handle the rest. I'm good with a stick welder, but I just need some ideas on a way to do this. Thanks.

To do a decent job, you will need to weld some 1 inch angle iron around the diameter about every 3 inches apart. > Ken Sweet

moored4 · Feb 28, 2012

Shield Arc said:
Really?

X2 :thumbsup: :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Case485Guy · Feb 28, 2012

Why not weld trailer spindles to each side, then you put your bearings/hub on, then fab a mount for your tow bar to bolt on the hubs, throw on some buddy bearing caps like for aboat trailer axle, then you grease it up before each use.

moored4 · Feb 28, 2012

Get a heavey wall pipe put it thru then put solid stub shafts in each end of the pipe that are machined to fit your bearings!

moored4 · Feb 28, 2012

Case485Guy said:
Why not weld trailer spindles to each side, then you put your bearings/hub on, then fab a mount for your tow bar to bolt on the hubs, throw on some buddy bearing caps like for aboat trailer axle, then you grease it up before each use.

I dont think that a propane tank has thick enough metal walls to weld too to support the spendals when its filled with water. Every pully, head spool, or roller i have ever worked on had a thru shaft of some sort!

cowski · Feb 28, 2012

i would install a heavy gauge pipe through the tank.then install 2 stub axle hub assemblies that fit .it will not leak ,with a good weld.

Case485Guy · Feb 28, 2012

moored4 said:
I dont think that a propane tank has thick enough metal walls to weld too to support the spendals when its filled with water. Every pully, head spool, or roller i have ever worked on had a thru shaft of some sort!

Most of the ones I have experience with had 3/8" thick walls, though one did have 1/4" thick. Either one should support a spindle welded correctly. The lifting eyes welded to the tank were designed for overhead lifting capabilities, welded straight to the tank with load capacities to include a loaded tank.
Not knocking the through shaft design. To me is overkill for a roller like this. I have seen writeups on both setups on other forums and both have worked.

moored4 · Feb 28, 2012

cowski said:
i would install a heavy gauge pipe through the tank.then install 2 stub axle hub assemblies that fit .it will not leak ,with a good weld.

Post # 11!

cowski · Feb 28, 2012

sorry over looked your post .could of just said +1. you could could always fill the tank with concrete.i have seen several rollers made that way.

Tractor Seabee · Feb 29, 2012

I would be leery of this. The dynamics of the water sloshing around in the tank will produce a lot of stress on any weld you do on the ends. The contour of the ends precludes welding on a doubler plate. As mentioned before propane tanks are thin material; no problem when stationary and all the weight concentrated and stable. Those tank ends will flex under the stress and crack at the weakest point. Pure physics at work here. I would put a piece of Schd 40
6" pipe through and weld to seal the water. Then blank off the ends with plate and install a set of trailer hubs either bolt or weld on to form axels for the towing bridle. Weld a drain and air vent on one end for ease of filling and draining, I would probably make it 2" pipe half coupling with a plug.

Lots of luck.Ron

Case485Guy · Feb 29, 2012

I am not trying to argue here, but what is considered thin on these tanks? The 250 gallon tanks I have seen are no where near what I would call thin, the tanks used to supply propane to a home about 6' or so long, thats the style i have seen used for rollers.Maybe I am thinking of a different tank