what's the best way to water plants using the tractor?

[Kernopelli]

I have been known to just fill the fel bucket with water drive over to the tree and dump it out of the bucket.

I have been watering mine that way. Drive up to the pond, fill-up and then a slow dump at the tree base. Has worked great so far.

 

[Champy]

Want to thank all for the advice. Jeffinsgf. Excuse my ignorance, I have only been a tractor owner for less than 3 weeks. If I have a carry all connected to the PTO (to raise it off the ground) how can I connect a PTO roller pump at the same time? Also I have no idea what that looks like.
Eddie

Eddie - The carryall is connected to your 3 point hitch, and is basically a platform to put things on such as a barrel, tank , etc... The Roller pump is attached directly to your PTO shaft via a coupler and then hoses extend from the pump out to your tank on the carryall in order to draw water or provide pressure for pumping or spraying. Lifting the carryall platform should not interfere with the roller pump operation (generally speaking) since the hose are soft/flexible and not hard plumbed or fixed in place.

Attached is a view of one on the PTO driveline (item #2)

 

[Champy]

Followup to prior response.....DO NOT forget to install (AND USE) the safety chains or mounting bars on your roller pump - otherwise it will simply spin on the rotating PTO shaft; tear off your hoses; and use them to beat to death anything standing nearby........don't ask me for pictures of this event, I'm still trying to block out those images.

 

[mjfox6]

Eddie,
I don't know what the Lowndes County Co-op has over there, but the Oktibbeha County Co-op has vertical mounted 55 gallon drums with PTO pumps for sale. Might be worth a drive to Starkville to have a look.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I might check that out. The Co Op here has a pto driven watering container that cost a little less than $600, which is too steep for me.

 

[varmint]

I haven't seen anyone post this idea: my brother planted some 50 selected hardwood trees on some open land he bought next to his house, and during drought conditions, he watered them using a 55 gal. drum on a carry platform behind his tractor. Rather than get down, open a valve, etc. he rigged up a plastic pipe wand and a 12V electric pump... drive up to the tree, position the wand's end where you want water, flip the switch and pump out whatever dose of water you want, and drive to the next one. Worked well, and not too costly.

 

[tree grower]

Eddie-

If you have a spray rig, or plan to need one, you can water plants with that. Mine is a 'custom made' 35 gallon rig with custom-made plumbing, powered by a PTO-driven roller pump. I plumbed it with two gate valves so I can direct spray to the nozzles or to a hose. I hang the hose from the ROPS so it doesn't get tangled up. If I need to water newly planted Christmas trees 1000 ft from the house, I just fill the sprayer with water, set the pressure to what I want, choose a gear that allows me to travel at a suitable steady speed, and go.

 

[California]

This weekend's experiment - watering with a 25 gallon container. There's a 4x4 under its back edge to tilt it more. Works great.

Back in post #2 I referenced a rear platform I also use.

Now all I need is a pump to replenish the front reservoir from the rear tanks while I drive to the next replacement tree. (they are scattered randomly in this old orchard).

I'll never need to get off the tractor!

 

[mjncad]

Excellent use of the tank and front end loader California!

 

[davitk]

View attachment 98140

NICE!!