I have a narrower prolly 30" steel roller that I have been using for quite some time. I had been pulling it with my toro tractor. I recently purchased quad an rolled the yard this am. Im definately needing a wider roller. My question, has any used the poly rollers? How do they compare with the steel? As effective? I believe I will find one at least 48" to stay outside the tires on the bike. My other option is to find another, same diameter steel roller and weld the two together and make a new pull mount for it? Thoughts?
I went through 2 of the 48" steel rollers over the course of 10-12 years-they would wear out, especially the hitch and bracket that connected the roller to the hitch. I then bought a heavy duty 6' roller from a local metal fabrication company. It weighs 350lbs empty. I pull it behind my RTV or my 26 hp Kubota. I definitely recommend spending the money for a model like mine. It cost $600 vs $250 for the lighter model. I have rolled 8 acres every year for the last 3 without a problem, as well as an acre food plot before and after seeding. Will
Rolling helps to even out from the heaving that happens from he frost. My yard is especially bad now because we just planted it last fall so it doesnt have a really thick root base yet.
I figured the poly will probably be fine, is it really thick Jay? Thanks, I dont think I will be buying a 6' model. As long as its wider than the bike but I will look into a heavier roller like you suggest. Have a link handy?
Mine is. It doesn't move at all when filled/emptied. And it's very easily stored during off season when empty because of it's light weight.
No I don't have a link. It is a company in Homer, NY-right off Route 81. I believe they have models as small as 3' wide. I'll try to find their name and post it.
My roller really isn't for lawns as it weighs in easily over 4,000 lbs. Its the rear roller off of an old asphalt roller. The roller itself is probably 4' x 4' rimmed with 1/2" or 5/8" steel plate. The reason for the picture is to suggest a very simple hitch that can be added to your own that will allow you to offset the roller to the left or right side of the tractor/4 wheeler or remain directly behind and centered on your drawbar. The two short chains are welded to left and right side pins to trap the tongue on one side or the other, or in the middle. I have it like this, because its primary use is packing down my half mile roadbed after grading the gravel or hauling additional gravel in. I like to remain in the center of the roadbed and track the roller off the sides for supreme compaction all the way into the shoulder. I just thought it may be something you could consider for a lawn roller....if you may feel the need. Its probably unnecessary for your lawn roller application though.....but at least its an option for you.
The bad thing about using an atv for rolling lawns is the turning. Unless you have turf tires, they can tear up the lawn really quick where you do the turning.
Good to know J. Absolutely is a consideration. I would appreciate this very much. Even though this setup is probably not something I would consider for the lawn I do have roughly 1500' of lane to maintain and this is very good info for the future. Thank you. I pondered this before I rolled this am and instead of tight turns I started in the middle and rotated to the outside edges to keep the turns wide. If that wasnt feasible I continued out past the lawn or backed up where neccesary. It worked out.
The company is Homer Iron Works. Couldn't find a web page but a Google Search will give you contact information.
