Heavy, large lawn roller

[VTHartford]

I need a large lawn roller to keep my pastures flat for high speed mowing. I was thinking of a 24" Sonotube, 7 ft long, shaft through the middle, pour it solid full of concrete. From my calcs, it will weight a little over 3400 lbs. The equivalent water filled roller would weigh about 1400 lbs. Is this too heavy or any onther reasons it would not work.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[vallyfarm]

As long as the ground isn't too soggy to hold it up from sinking, that should do an excelent job for 1/4 the money as a "profesional" made one. Mike

 

[EdC]

VTHartford

I made a small version of your idea and it works pretty well. I did leave the Sonotube on and it is looking a bit used after 2 years. Mine used 12 inch Sonotube and is 5 ft long. The only thing I would do differently is to beef up the frame. I used 1/8in 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 channel iron because I had it. Whoever is driving must be very careful not to bend the frame when turning.

Ed

 

[Diamondpilot]

That was first thing I built after getting my Jinma 254. I used a 24" PVC sewer pipe. I cut 3/4" plywood ends drilled and countersunk the screws in. It is heavy. My neighbor tried to pull it with a 8N and could not get it going on the gravel. Works great.

Here is a post where it is
Chinese Tractor Owners Association - CTOA Forums - Do it yourself projects to share - Lawn Roller

Chris

 

[scott_vt]

I need a large lawn roller to keep my pastures flat for high speed mowing. I was thinking of a 24" Sonotube, 7 ft long, shaft through the middle, pour it solid full of concrete. From my calcs, it will weight a little over 3400 lbs. The equivalent water filled roller would weigh about 1400 lbs. Is this too heavy or any onther reasons it would not work.

Thanks,
Bill

Mornin Bill,
Somewhere on TBN a fella built a large roller out of a 500 gal propane tank and filled it with water. If you could get one cheap that my be a good way to go also !

 

[Diamondpilot]

My neighbor has one built out of a propane tank, 500 gallon. The problem with the tank is it only has 3.5 to 4 feet of flat area. The ends are rounded and it does not cover the tracks of most tractors.

Chris

 

[George2615]

Scott is right. Another member used a large propane tank about 8' long and mounted bearings on each end and added a fill / drain hole for filling it with water then made arms to attach it to the drawbar. That way the weight is adjustable depending on how much water is put in. I tried searching for it but couldn't locate it. Perhaps whoever made it will read your post and reply with the link to his pics.

George

 

[SPIKER]

One problem with going that wide (7') is turning it without bending the framework, as it does not ROLL evenly. It would work much better if there were 2 or 3 parts to it, so that the parts could roll independently of each other. even making it in two sections would work pretty well for turning that way the inside corner one could roll slower than the outside one. just use a section of heavy plastic between the two parts to keep them apart.

I like the idea of the PVC culvert as it would last much longer unless you plan on hitting a lot of rocks.

mark M

 

[Bill Barrett]

I did the propane tank route. Got a nice small diameter tank so its longer and not so big around. works great the round ends is the big advantage. I'll take a pic if someone can tell my how to upload a large pixel pic?

 

[MDM]

We had one made from a liner from a 80 gallon hot water heater filled with concrete. A little small, but good behind an ATV.

 

[mikescruggs]

Hey Bill,

I live up the road in Thetford. I have seen the post refered to above regarding the propane tank. It looked like a great idea. Especially considering you will probably want the ends to have rolled edges to prevent from digging in. If I could find a free tank I would try building one. If you get a lead on one or two in the area I would help transport if you need it.

Good Luck

Mike

 

[gemini5362]

I built a trial one out of a 55 gallon drum I cut a hole in the bottom big enough for a 2 inch pipe to fit through then filled it full of concrete. centered the pipe in the top and waited for it to dry. I then ran a steel rod through it and welded a frame on to that. It works pretty well. I wanted to do the same thing with the sonotube that another poster talked about but could not find the sonotube. The 24 inch pc pipe is a good idea I might be able to find that. The next one I make I am going to get an axle for a trailer. Center the axle in the middle of the concrete. then make a frame with hubs to fit on the trailer axle. I think that having replaceable bearings will make it roll smoother and turn better.

 

[L3650]

I like this one, but have no need for it. Scroll down for the pictures.

Lawn roller made from 500 gallon propane tank | Freaky Acres

 

[art]

Depending on stone population you might want to look at a steel roller.