55gal snow roller/ compactor

[NS Gearhead]

I'll get some pics up later today, but first one question; how much weight do I need to effectively compact snow? I'm planning on putting 20gal of washer fluid in it (1/3 full, up to the axle where I would leak out) about 170lbs. I could add a cinder block tray...three would add 120lbs, so 290lbs...but I'd rather not if it's not needed. What do you think?

 

[NS Gearhead]

It is a 55gal plastic barrel. Approx 3' long, 2' diam.

 

[Looking4new]

I think it would compact the snow IF you went over it a few times. Why compact it? Why not plow/blow it?

 

[semntrails]

Depends on how much snow you are trying to compact and how dry/wet your snow is. Are you trying to compact it hard enough to walk on, snow shoe, drive?

An easier way might be to add weights to the frame around the roller then you can add/remove them as you need. For rolling ski trails we use just the roller and the tracks of the snow machine to pack it down. Some places add 25-150lbs of weight to a 6' wide roller. Let it sit over night and it'll be somewhat firm. It helps to pack it in layers, if you pack several 6" snow falls it'll be firmer than trying to pack one 24" layer.
Going over it a few times will keep packing it down but unless you have moist snow and/or a few freeze/thaw cycles it'll never be like concrete.

 

[RobS]

I've been riding a lot of groomed fat bike trails lately. The better ones seem to be groomed with a corrugated roller, likely a section of PVC culvert pipe. Here's some photos from Google:

https://www.google.com/search?q=fat+bike+grooming&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=681&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiolrXwq_LKAhXTth4KHTXXBrUQsAQIGw&dpr=1

 

[Blaneypark]

I'm going to guess the plastic barrel will crack, They don't like cold.

 

[NS Gearhead]

It's for the neighborhood sledding hill.

 

[Looking4new]

It's for the neighborhood sledding hill.

A half a dozen people on a toboggan will do the same thing and have fun doing it.

 

[NS Gearhead]

It's a decent hill, but when we get a foot of snow, nobody's getting anywhere until it gets packed down. Sure, you could spend the afternoon scooting yourself 6" at a time and wade through a couple feet of snow on your way back up, but that gets old fast... I'm just trying to do something nice for the neighborhood kids. I'm 7 hours in & $90. Just needs another coat of paint and final assembly. I also plow a walking path back up the hill and brought over a heavy pallet for dragging.

 

[George2615]

If its a decent hill how are you going to drag 290 lbs up the hill and If you do what's going to stop it from dragging you down the hill.

 

[Green Power]

If its a decent hill how are you going to drag 290 lbs up the hill and If you do what's going to stop it from dragging you down the hill.

he has a 4 wheeler with tracks

 

[George2615]

he has a 4 wheeler with tracks

Glad that he does. He'll need it. I'd be leery of 290 lb pushing him downhill.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Yup, bike with tracks. With me on it, it's at about 1,200lbs. 300 is nothing. I think it's rated to tow 1,200 and I routinely do, downhill, off road, with no problems at all.

 

[MMagis]

That rating isn't for pulling dead weight on the ground. Snow adds another element. I'm not saying you can't do it, but that's comparing apples to oranges.
Also keep in mind, snow will tend to build up in front of it, making it increasingly hard to pull. I have to agree that it may not last long before it cracks. A steel barrel would work a lot better. It's a nice idea, I'm just not sure it's going to work as well as you hope.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Just checked; 1,500lbs. Obviously under ideal conditions, but that doesn't take into account the tracks, that are heavier, more stable, and reduce the overall gearing.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Barrels are free. I could make up a steel one in 30 min if this one fails...the big loss would be the washer fluid @ $70. I just used plastic because I have a bunch in the yard and a couple days off.

 

[KennyG]

I'm guessing this is going to work pretty well, but just in case it doesn't, be sure to take pictures. :cool2:

 

[NS Gearhead]

Taking pics, but computer's not wanting to reveal them. I'll take more once I have it in use, and get them on here...somehow.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Oh, and she's done! Just waiting on paint to dry.

 

[mark02tj]

I'll bet that you'll have as much, if not more, fun "compacting the snow" as the kids will sledding down the hill!! :laughing:

You are a good dad to that little girl of yours!! :thumbsup: