Lawn Roller Build

[Al Mac]

I want to build a lawn roller. Something for the 3 point hitch on the Kubota 2920. It would be nice to have the roller so it could be moved easier than the concrete ones as it would be lighter when not in used. A thought I had is to use the weight box as added weight and have the roller(s) mounted on a frame under it.
Any thoughts/photos on past projects. Not much point on me reinventing the wheel (roller) when it has been done.

Al

 

[crash325]

I did a complete build on a roller & compactor. don't remember the name of the thread. About 2 years ago. Think if you go to search & type in roller or sheeps foot it should come up. It can be filled with water for added weight & emptied for transport
Here are a couple of pictures.

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[Deere Dude]

I don't understand your concept. I have built and used rollers but they were all tow behind.

I would think using them as a three point hitch function would make it difficult to turn, unless you just use a hole in the draw-bar to attach it to.

 

[Al Mac]

While all I have seen are tow behind and you are right if doing a lot of turning would be hard to do. I am dealing with a very open area and only turning at the ends.
I was thinking if the roller didn't have a flat edge on the ends and was more rounded that would help with the cutting in on the on the grass on the wide turns and slight corrections in steering.
It would be mounted under the weight box on a frame so any sharp turns or places not needed (getting to and from the area) it could be lifted up of the ground.

With the weight of the box the roller(s) could be smaller in diameter and more than one if needed.

While this is just a idea and many of you have been "on a roll" longer than myself. What is your thoughts.

Al

 

[Deere Dude]

Would there me more stress on the 3 pt arms even as to make slight corrections? I know the arms are beefy but things happen. Let us know how it all works out.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Would there me more stress on the 3 pt arms even as to make slight corrections? I know the arms are beefy but things happen. Let us know how it all works out.

Dragging a rolling piece of pipe isn't going to stress the 3 PH arms even when turning. Lots less stress than say pulling a chisel plow from the 3 PH. LIFTING the weight might, but then again, if the hydraulic will lift it, then the lift arms should take the stress.

 

[LD1]

I would make a tow unit. OR buy one.

The B2920 is limited on what it can lift. And if you want a roller that is wider than the spread of the arms of the tractor, that means a heavy frame of some type to support the roller a distance behind the arms. Further limiting the total weight of the unit.

At the end of the day, I you will end up with an over complex unit, that dont work any better than a tow behind from TSC (and those dont work well as they are too light).

I guess I should ask why you are wanting to roll? If it is to make lawn smoother, you need WEIGHT. Other than that, I dont see what good a roller is and they are hard on the lawn/grass.

 

[Ed L]

I built this one a few years ago.

Here's the original thread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/new-member-introductions/293051-making-large-lawn-roller.html

Ed

 

[crash325]

Lifting a roller with enough weight to do much good is impractical. Rounded ends like on a propane tank will keep dig in to a min men.

I made one for a friend out of a 30 gal. propane tank, filled with sand for extra weight & water could also be added. Those tanks are a little thin if you have a lot of rocks & will dent up, but still work fine.

For sharp turns pushing is much better than pulling. I push mine most of the time. Pushing takes a little practice & getting use too.

 

[LD1]

We built this one a few years back. Actually heavy enough to do some good. Also good for compacting gravel before concrete is poured, and for packing earth when doing dirt work. It weighs ~600# empty, and is 38" diameter and 4' wide. It can hold about 1900# of water. There are times it would be nice if it weighed more. There is no way you would lift a 2500# roller with a B2920. Even half that would be a struggle. Not sure what the intended uses are, so without knowing that, I cannot offer any more advise.

 

[mikehaugen]

We built this one a few years back. Actually heavy enough to do some good. Also good for compacting gravel before concrete is poured, and for packing earth when doing dirt work. It weighs ~600# empty, and is 38" diameter and 4' wide. It can hold about 1900# of water. There are times it would be nice if it weighed more. There is no way you would lift a 2500# roller with a B2920. Even half that would be a struggle. Not sure what the intended uses are, so without knowing that, I cannot offer any more advise.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=389740"/>

Did you have those cylinders rolled (or do it yourself) or did you use something existing?

Also, with a roller does it really matter if it's as wide as you tractor? I wouldn't think so.

 

[LD1]

Did you have those cylinders rolled (or do it yourself) or did you use something existing?

They were rolled. It was a full 4x10 sheet of steel. But they could only roll 3', so had them shear it in half and roll 2 sections.

tractor? I wouldn't think so.

Depends on what you want I guess.

If compacting loose fill, I would want it as wide as the tractor to take out the tire marks/ruts. And also the ability to get along the edge of things. But since a B2920 probably isnt much over 4' wide, thats a good start. Anything smaller would take forever to do any good with. But my point was, unless you build a 2' long roller, you are going to be placing the weight well behind the lift arms, since they dont spread wide enough. And that puts more stress/strain on things as well as increase the requirement for front end weight.

 

[mikehaugen]

They were rolled. It was a full 4x10 sheet of steel. But they could only roll 3', so had them shear it in half and roll 2 sections.

Depends on what you want I guess.

If compacting loose fill, I would want it as wide as the tractor to take out the tire marks/ruts. And also the ability to get along the edge of things. But since a B2920 probably isnt much over 4' wide, thats a good start. Anything smaller would take forever to do any good with. But my point was, unless you build a 2' long roller, you are going to be placing the weight well behind the lift arms, since they dont spread wide enough. And that puts more stress/strain on things as well as increase the requirement for front end weight.

I was asking about the width thing for my own uses (stealing the thread so to speak). I would need something about 6 1/2' wide to cover my tracks and that would be enormous and heavy. I was thinking like 5' would be good.

 

[LD1]

I was asking about the width thing for my own uses (stealing the thread so to speak). I would need something about 6 1/2' wide to cover my tracks and that would be enormous and heavy. I was thinking like 5' would be good.

Again, depends on what you want it for. 5' wide wouldnt allow you to get close to anything. Just depends on how important that is to you