Ballast 275 gallon square tank

[freewookie]

Anyone used 3pt pallet forks with one of the 275 gallon square water tanks as a ballast? I need 1100 lbs and that seems an easy way to get there. I'd fill it with 150 gallons of water and antifreeze.

 

[rmorey]

You may have to watch the weight shifting when the water sloshes back and forth. Hard weight is more stable than liquid weight. :2cents:

 

[pat32rf]

If its frozen solid it can work, but if it is still liquid you will have a definite hazard....

 

[rmorey]

Exactly, especially with antifreeze in the water. I would consider a solid ballast, maybe concrete in a barrel or even make a box from OSB (chipboard) and fill it with cement with a drawbar mounted thru the box. When done you can remove the wood.

 

[freewookie]

The sloshing was a concern. I don't think I can get enough weight with cement in a metal drum. From what I've read that's only 700-800 lbs.

 

[Midniteoyl]

55 gallons is suppose to be 1000-1100lbs.. depending on how close to the top you get and cement type..



1 cu ft = 7.48 gal

55 gal / 7.48 = 7.3529411 etc.

7.3529411 cu ft in a 55 gal drum

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Concrete, Asphalt - 140lbs/cu.ft

Concrete, Gravel - 150lbs/cu.ft

Concrete, Limestone w/Portland - 148lbs/cu.ft

Specific Gravity Weights Of Materials from READE

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Using the limestone/portland mix would give you 148 x 7.35 = 1087.8lbs if filled to the brim.

A 55 gallon steel drum weighs about 44 pounds empty so 1088 + 44lbs = 1132lbs.

 

[thehorseguy]

Fill the same container part way with concrete? Like 1/2 a yard should be close to the weight you were looking for.

 

[Paul Thornton]

How about filling it with sand?

L2800 w/FEL - 72" Land Pride rake

 

[freewookie]

Thanks. All good ideas.

 

[RaydaKub]

I would avoid the liquid idea. Just watching and FEELING the difference in a 300 gallon sprayer behind the tractor, the sloshing around would not be helpful. And if you were on a sidehill, the weight would shift to the downhill side, totally opposite what you need it to do.

 

[k0ua]

For your 55 gallon put old scrap steel in your concrete mix. Old nuts and bolts or cut off pieces of steel. This will get up to the weight you need, and still allow for some pipes for tool holders to be embedded in the concrete mix. Be sure to include s 2 inch receiver hitch out the back. It is very handy.

James K0UA

 

[freewookie]

For your 55 gallon put old scrap steel in your concrete mix. Old nuts and bolts or cut off pieces of steel. This will get up to the weight you need, and still allow for some pipes for tool holders yo be embedded in the concrete mix. Be site to include s 2 inch receiver hitch out the back. It is very handy. James K0UA

I've been saving ever old nut and bolt I've been finding on our place. I'm thinking also of donating a couple 45 lb dumbbells to the cause too.