Fabricating 3-Point water tank platform for a tractor

[MJM]

I have a three rail white horse ranch fence around my property. Every 3 to 4 years I clean the fence from pollution fallout, and mold, that builds up over time on the north facing surface.

In the past, I used a three gallon hand sprayer to apply cleaning solution, and a pull behind 25 gallon water tank for washing the fence off. Though it worked, it was a bit slow due to constantly having to refill both the hand, and water tanks.

A larger water tank (60 gallons) made for a three point hitch costs $950-$1,500. Seeing an opportunity to be economical (save money), I ran the numbers for material to build one. So this is what $500 dollars gets me, enjoy......

First up is to purchase water tanks so I have measurements to use for designing the water tanks platform.

60 gallon water tank, no pump $140

15 gallon tank with pump for cleaning solution $49.99

Next up was fabricating the 3-point hitch
Material used was 3"x3"x 1/4" tube steel. 2"x2"x1/4" tube steel, 2"x 3/16" flat stock.

Welding was done using mig and tig.

To be continued next reply......

 

[shine]

i have a sturdy pallet that i mounted mine on. pick it up with my forks and go. i used it to drive around my pasture and spot spray weeds. long hose so i never got off the tractor.

 

[MJM]

^^^ That will work

Next up was fabricating the platform for the tanks to sit on.

Adding gussets

Weld thru primer before welding gussets.

Next up was fabricating removable legs

Platform complete minus paint

Continued next reply.......

 

[MJM]

Up next was to fabricate removable caster wheels. The removable stands above would be used if the platform had to be removed while working out in the field.

Material cut and prepped for tig welding

Tig welding 1" bolts to 1/8" plate.

Metal Casters

Next up is SPI Epoxy

Wet sanding - make ready for final color

Continued next reply - final color ......

 

[metalman]

Nice work, solid, going to serve the purpose for years to come.

 

[MJM]

^^^ A little overkill but, the frame should last 100 years. I look at it as, why cheapen out on material when the cost is still cheaper, than buying from a manufacture who has to cut costs for a profit margin. Anyway, back to my project.

Sprayed John Deere single stage acrylic enamel. Pretty flat finish as sprayed, no orange peel seen from the naked eye.

Up next is fabricating brackets to mount one of the tanks.

The bracket I'm fabricating is for the smaller 15 gallon tank. The larger 60 gallon tank had brackets already installed from the manufacture. All I had to do was bolt the 60 gallon tank down to the platform frame.

Cutting 2"x2" angle iron

Continued next reply .......

 

[MJM]

Cut, drilled and shaped flat stock.

Tig weld angle iron to flat stock.

Welds dressed one side only

Continued next reply .......

 

[MJM]

Mounting brackets to tank and platform.

Up next mounting tanks to platform .....

 

[MJM]

Three point attached to tractor.

Tanks installed, filled with water, about 80% to check ballast from front to rear. The water tanks and three point weigh in a little over 700 pounds.

 

[MJM]

Up next is to fabricate a counter weight that can be used for the front, or rear of the tractor. I priced out twelve John Deere 42# suitcase weights at over $900.00 dollars. I can match that weight for less than $100 dollars.

Stay tuned .......

 

[metalman]

I don't know diddly $hit about tractors. That said could you put something in the bucket to counter weight while using the water tanks?
Or would that not be secure enough to be safe.
Those weights look like they could be flame or plasma cut from steel plate, but steel isn't cheap. That is when I start scrounging around .

 

[Dean Jenkins]

I don't know diddly $hit about tractors. That said could you put something in the bucket to counter weight while using the water tanks?
Or would that not be secure enough to be safe.
Those weights look like they could be flame or plasma cut from steel plate, but steel isn't cheap. That is when I start scrounging around .

That's what I was wondering. Several sacks of home depot play sand in the bucket?

 

[hapcj7]

How about some boulders that which you find in the neighborhood?

 

[MJM]

All helpful suggestions. Here is what I've done for a counterweight so it can be used on the front or rear of the tractor.

First up was making a form.

Next up was bending some rebar.

Ring welded together

Continued next reply ........

 

[MJM]

Building a cage

Up next is to fabricate embeds so the cylinder can be moved, mounted, and secured on the tractor.

Bent j- hooks

3/4" nuts welded to 1/4" plate so eye hooks can be used to pick up and secure the cylinder.

Continued next reply .......

 

[MJM]

Welded j- hooks to embed plate

Bottom embed

Cage raised 1-1/2" above form face. Embed plate flush with form face.

Top embed

Continued next reply ......

 

[MJM]

Cage epoxied primed.

Continued next reply .... the pour!

 

[Worn Out Welder]

That all made me tired just watching

 

[metalman]

In the past when I had to use that type of screw-eye for a heavy lift, I weld up the intersection. I also use a nut on the eye to lock it to the receiving threads. Think if the load shifts or jerks the eye could open up. There are one piece forged eyes but think they cost considerably more. Probably work fine as is but my experience with that is heavy lifting structures over sidewalks in public.

 

[crashtech]

In the past when I had to use that type of screw-eye for a heavy lift, I weld up the intersection. I also use a nut on the eye to lock it to the receiving threads. Think if the load shifts or jerks the eye could open up. There are one piece forged eyes but think they cost considerably more. Probably work fine as is but my experience with that is heavy lifting structures over sidewalks in public.

Welding up that gap seems like a sensible plan. Beyond that, though, that concrete plug is going to be a tank! Would serve as a structural support.