Lawn Rollers

Rook54 · Aug 4, 2003

Does anyone have any input as to a good weight of lawn roller to help settle large oversize rock for a base and then road pack. I will also be using this to help take residual disc row humps out of my two acre yard that was once used for farming. I have a couple of choices that fall between 350lbs (poly) and 910lbs (steel) at full capacity. All comments appreciated. I will be pulling with a BX2200.

Adam

Hoosier_Daddy · Aug 4, 2003

I think those standard rollers you buy today at places like TSC and Sears are junk unless you fill them with concrete.

Also the 3 ft weigh in at around 600 lb when filled with water and the 4 ft about 200 lb more. However, with the difference in sq inch on the ground between the 2 of them there is no difference in weight in the foot print.

From person experience I believe the 3 ft does a better job because the 4 ft will ride the high spots and never touch the valleys. However with your BX you need 4 ft to cover your tracks or you need a couple of 3 ft's stagered.

Also, it is my experience that if you don't drain the water out in the fall they will empty themselves by spring.

Will_C · Aug 4, 2003

The BX can easily pull the 4' roller; it is what I use. The tractor can pull quite a bit more. If I buy another roller, I will look at buying one of the custom models and get it 5' wide and 1200-1500 lbs. I have one from TSC, and it is starting to brea at the brackets.
Will

Hambone · Aug 5, 2003

Why is it you can't go buy a 5 ft roller. I have only seen 4ft or the double three's. Does anybody know how much the double units are?

Hoosier_Daddy · Aug 5, 2003

No matter what you end up with a word of caution if you are negotiating any hills using the bx2200 with a roller on the back. Use 4 wheel drive and low gear and push down the Differential pedal.

Moving up the hill the tractor will let you in a nice way it doesn't want to pull the load. Moving down the hill can cause the pucker factor to kick in if the roller decides to push you sideways. (jacknife) Hydro's tend to try to maintain the ground speed you have requested. If you forget to set all of the above and the wieght starts pushing you sideways your only option is to speed up the ground speed. Not more throttle just a little more on the hydro pedal.

Pull from the lowest hitch hook-up point. Becareful of the 3 point arms if you hook to the frame hitch on the tractor. If the 3 point arms raise or lower you could trash the roller frame.

Gee, do these words sound like something may have happened as typed?

Tom

snowman · Aug 5, 2003

I bought the 9xx lb steel roller from Northern Tool earlier this year - five feet, I think. I don't think that it will compact anything significantly. I bought it to try and flatten out an existing bumpy lawn and its not really all that great. The hitch is kind of chintzy; the few times I've used I've been expecting it to break.

If it's a one shot deal for what you need/want to do, you may be farther ahead renting a real compactor.

Hoosier_Daddy · Aug 5, 2003

Last one I got this past spring was a 4 ft roller from TSC which is made by Ohio Steel. I am very disappointed in what they are marketing these days. I think they have reached a point where they will not be able to skimp anymore. The 3 ft Ohio Steel Roller which I bought some 10-15 years ago is a lot better. Guess I am the stupid one for actually buying it and then keeping it.

snowman · Aug 5, 2003

The one I got from Northern was made in China! Must be a grey market!

rock · Aug 6, 2003

Ditto on the warning from Hoosier about watching the 3 point arms if you pull from the frame. I was using a home made roller built from a 55 gal drum and a heavy steel frame. Bent the frame like a pretzel while adjusting the mower height (I roll while I mow). I didn't even notice until I saw the roller out of the corner of my eye trying to pass me.

-- Rock

NoTrespassing · Aug 7, 2003

I've got a large 4ft steel water roller that I filled with concrete. I haven't ever weighed it but from the amount of concrete I put in it I think it weighs almost #1500. I've used it a couple of times with my L3710 but the frame isn't gonna last much longer. It does do a pretty nice job on the lawn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kevin

PS HI DH