Need project advice

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I recently returned to a project I've been working on: converting a 250 gallon propane tank to a pasture roller.The tank is empty, and all the fittings ground off and covered with 1/8" plate. The water fill/drain plug has been installed.The next step is some kind of axle. The most obvious way is to drill a 2" hole in each end and run a 2" round bar through it. Then weld each end where the bar comes out of the hole, to make it solid and so the water won't leak out. Then build the frame around it, using pillow bearings on the round bar.Thing is, that's a pretty expensive and somewhat "fancy" way to build it. That 2" steel bar alone will run $100 - $200. I've thought about welding the head of a 1" bolt to the end, but I'm afraid that would break off under the strain of pulling a 3,000 pound roller over uneven ground.Any creative types have a better way to do this?-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i
Reply:1st thought would be a cheap set of hub and spindles for a trailer or a cheap trailer axle you could cannibalize..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW1st thought would be a cheap set of hub and spindles for a trailer or a cheap trailer axle you could cannibalize.
Reply:Personally, I'd run a pipe/tube through the center and just do a plug of round stock in the ends. this reduces your overall cost, but still maintains a solid axle and the strength of the solid ends.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Build your yoke and use it to align your spindles and weld them on. Your not lifting the weight... your rolling it. While the tank is fairly thin the rounded end bell is very rigid and will support a lot. The uneven loading will not be an issue for the spindles as the yoke will move with the tank. The swivel will be handled by the hitch. Unless your going up and down hills the load is minimal despite the weight. It's rolling weight.Take a look at this 500 gallon roller. http://www.freakyacres.com/lawn_rollerLast edited by forhire; 12-04-2012 at 02:23 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by DemonSpeederFind a junk fwd car and use the rear spindles.... just make some brackets....
Reply:I appreciate the advice. Right now I'm moving more towards the idea of using 2" or maybe even 2 1/4 or 2 1/2" black iron pipe instead of the cold rolled steel bar. My main concern is that it HOLD. Once it's run through the tank and welded at the holes, it would be a ***** to replace if it broke off.-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i
Reply:If you are going to use black pipe make it schedule 80 as its lots thicker Only thing is it dont take alot to bend pipe. Even schedule 80.  Id feel better using spindles and hubs bolted to some 3/4 or 1" plate squares welded to the tank. This is the way some trailer spindles are mounted.Registered Six OffenderHome of the Buzzin Half Dozen
Reply:Looks like the Sch. 80 black iron isn't an option. It's pretty expensive. Grainger has 10' lengths for $183 plus shipping.  The biggest Lowe's has is puny 1" junk.  I kinda like the idea of using spindles and hubs, but I would really need to see a picture of how that would work.  Mounting it on a flat plate would be problematic, because the end of the tank is rounded.-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i
Reply:What do you guys use these for?I know you wanna make something flatterBut what is the purpose on a pasture?Educate this city boyEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1What do you guys use these for?I know you wanna make something flatterBut what is the purpose on a pasture?Educate this city boy
Reply:OK, different approach.  Forget running a pipe through the tank.  Here's a picture of something that might work.  All welds would be done with 1/8" 7018AC stick, which I'm fairly good with and is my standard go-to rod around the farm.Weld a short length (say 3 inches) of 3 inch pipe (maybe just plain oilfield-type pipe) on each end.Weld a short length of a slightly smaller pipe onto the frame.  This goes inside of the pipe welded to the end of the tank. Keep a good glob of grease inside there.Wouldn't this work?  I'm open to advice on specifics, e.g. - should the frame pipe be inside the tank pipe, as in the drawing, or outside?  Would 3" and 3 1/2" be good enough, or should it be larger or smaller?  What about the frame?  I'm thinking something like 3 inch square tubing. In any case, this would be a helluva lot easier and cheaper than messing with spindles, or running rod through the tank and using pillow bearings.-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i
Reply:Originally Posted by RuarkOK, different approach.  Forget running a pipe through the tank.  Here's a picture of something that might work.  All welds would be done with 1/8" 7018AC stick, which I'm fairly good with and is my standard go-to rod around the farm.Weld a short length (say 3 inches) of 3 inch pipe (maybe just plain oilfield-type pipe) on each end.Weld a short length of a slightly smaller pipe onto the frame.  This goes inside of the pipe welded to the end of the tank. Keep a good glob of grease inside there.Wouldn't this work?  I'm open to advice on specifics, e.g. - should the frame pipe be inside the tank pipe, as in the drawing, or outside?  Would 3" and 3 1/2" be good enough, or should it be larger or smaller?  What about the frame?  I'm thinking something like 3 inch square tubing. In any case, this would be a helluva lot easier and cheaper than messing with spindles, or running rod through the tank and using pillow bearings.
Reply:fill it with sand not water. wont leak out as easy and freezing isn't an issue either.Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by dumb as a stumpfill it with sand not water. wont leak out as easy and freezing isn't an issue either.
Reply:Well, sand is a bit harder to get out of the tank when you want to move it around or loan it to your neighbor... (-;I'm leaning more in the direction of running a 3 or 4 inch oil field pipe through the tank, welding it in place, then the frame can have inserts like in the drawing.  Zerk fitting would keep it lubricated.-RuarkLincoln 3200HDHobart Stickmate LX235TWECO Fabricator 211i