Grassland Roller Water Ballast Freeze Danger

[DrWazzock]

Is it likely my 12 ft roller which is filled with water will freeze and burst? It's about a metre diameter, in a shed that isn't draught proof. It's a pain to get at because as usual it's stuck behind a load of other stuff.

Not frozen yet but tonight it will get down to -8 so they say. One bad year I did drain it down when it was left outside.

I suppose I should have used antifreeze or filled it with sand instead.

Might shine a couple of heaters on it.

 

[icanshootwell]

Just unscrew the nuts, even if their at the top it will be ok, the frozen water can expand.

 

[R.B.H]

As above and cover it up with bales, some old sheets, carpet, cardboard anything that would insulate it

 

[Irish NZ]

Lit a fire under it

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I thought they didnt split, but the ends "bow" out, so when looking for a second hand roller, look for one where the round end plates are plumb. I did wonder about filling the roller with waste oil, but worried about if it did wear a hole, all the oil would run everywhere. Years ago we used to put salt in tyres when we ballasted them, cheaper than anti freeze, a bag or two of rocksalt in the rear tyres (mixed up with hot water from the pressure washer before being pumped in with a vane pump)

 

[DrWazzock]

Placed a greenhouse tubular electric anti frost heater (55w) under each half and covered the lot tight down to floor with a couple of canvas sheets. It hadn't frozen yet so hoping the heaters keep the air temp just above.

Clouding over now and snowing quite heavily so this might lift temps a bit anyway.

Next year I might remember to drain it before I put it away.

Neighbour fills his with sand apparently. Must be hell of a weight.

 

[Sharpy]

I thought they didnt split, but the ends "bow" out, so when looking for a second hand roller, look for one where the round end plates are plumb. I did wonder about filling the roller with waste oil, but worried about if it did wear a hole, all the oil would run everywhere. Years ago we used to put salt in tyres when we ballasted them, cheaper than anti freeze, a bag or two of rocksalt in the rear tyres (mixed up with hot water from the pressure washer before being pumped in with a vane pump)

I can remember or neighbour filling his roller with oil in 83 or 84. It is still there, probably does 100 acres a year minimum. Also still looks ok. We have the same roller, water filled and drained, same age and less workload, ends bowed, has been welded........

 

[DrWazzock]

It might be a stupid question but how would you get that much sand in through such a small hole? Suppose it would have to be dry and fine?

And unless filled to the very top, wouldn't the sand wear the roller out from the inside as the sand lid or tumbled?

 

[Dry Rot]

I drain mine, also power washers and sprayers...in fact, anything that may have water in it. A few years ago it went down to minus 25 just a few miles up the road!

 

[Lazy Sod]

Surely the real danger comes when you get continuous frost, day and night.

 

[Mursal]

Any wee bit of lagging will make a big difference

Yes day and night frost will do the harm, we hadn't a proper thaw here since Saturday

 

[smcapstick]

Just take the bungs out. It’s a 30 second job?

 

[Mursal]

Never find them in the dark and the shed full ..........

 

[smcapstick]

Never find them in the dark and the shed full ..........

Shoot a hole in each side with a rifle and weld the holes up next spring.

Do I have to think of everything?

 

[DaveJ]

Just take the bungs out. It’s a 30 second job?

Only time I've ever taken the bungs out of ours, it required a trip to the neighbours and his gas torch. I've never bothered since, including when they recorded -15 a mile down the road, and roller is fine. It's nearly as old as me and only 8ft wide so in the unlikely event of it getting killed tonight, I'll just have the excuse to buy the wider one I covet every time I reseed.

 

[David.]

If you live in a flood area, you may never see your roll again if you fill it with waste oil.

 

[smcapstick]

If you live in a flood area, you may never see your roll again if you fill it with waste oil.

It’s ok - oil floats on water.

 

[David.]

Quite; be 20 miles away when you go to hook it on in spring.

 

[cattow]

Took the bungs out of mine for the first time in 6 years last night after reading this thread glad I put PTFE tape around the bungs. Coldest night in years around here

 

[Ffermer Bach]

It might be a stupid question but how would you get that much sand in through such a small hole? Suppose it would have to be dry and fine?

And unless filled to the very top, wouldn't the sand wear the roller out from the inside as the sand lid or tumbled?

what are the advantages and disadvantages of filling the roller with sand or concrete as opposed to water?