watering trees

[meanjean]

Need a solution for watering our trees.
Will take roughly 6 rain barrels (300 gallons) to water them all.

A gravity fed hose would be ideal although an electric pump would be fine.
Would like a system that can be run solo and without having to get off whichever machine I use to pull it.

I have seen water containers with a metal cage around it. Looks like it would fit in my truck bed, also appears to hold a good quantity of water.
Wouldn't be convenient for moving around the property though. Also would pose difficulties for running solo so truck is probably not the best solution.

Here's a few ideas:
-Buy one of these water containers I mentioned and fabricate a lifting device on my loader.

-Get forks for the machine and move rain barrels on a pallet.

-Tow container on a trailer.

who can chime in with advise?

 

[aquaforce]

Need a solution for watering our trees.

A gravity fed hose would be ideal ............

who can chime in with advise?

Along the lines of a gravity hose system a whole bunch of portable tanks could make it much easier on the tractor.....

See illustration pic below..........

R O F L

 

[aquaforce]

On a more serious note............ what about installing a soaker hose system in the ground then just hook the hose to the tank when watering is needed?

 

[meanjean]

I will be cultivating often and don't want to snag the hose.

 

[skeets]

Jean,, those tanks you have seen are for chemicals are are 275 gallons and filled with water go about 2100 pounds full, I know cause i carried a lot of water when the well went titsup. Anyway you can find them around mines and other heavy industry places and most likely get one for the asking. Just make sure you giv them a good wash out before useing it. A gravity flow with it sitting on the back of your truck will work provided that your not driving ALONG a hill side not a good idea and you will get some good head that way too.. One thing you might want to remember in reguards to any kind of tank TAKE THE LID OFF before you start draining it,,, dont ask,,
I dont remember what size tractor you have but a cart with a couple of plastic barlles might work well if they are laid on their sides and just use gravity. But if you want to pump it look to harbor Freight they have some small gas powered pumps that would give you what you need or even one for the PTO, I think Northern tools had one. Hope some of this helps
Peace
Skeets

 

[meanjean]

You answered 2 important questions. Capacity and weight of the tanks.
Back of the half ton is looking like a better option now. Running it solo would be difficult to rig though.
I've got a little trailer although I'm not confident it can handle. 2100 lbs. I'd imagine 1000 lbs is max.
I could always fill it up half way...
Pulling with an L1801.

 

[dusty-t]

How big are the trees. The reason I ask is that if they are larger trees 15 ft or more you can place a 5 gal plastic pail beside each tree with a small hole punched in the side at the bottom of the pail. It means longer periods before they need water. Kind of off to the side of your question but just thought I would mention it. On topic I once used a furnace oil tank turned on its side. I think it was 100 gal. Even just using gravity it came out at a pretty good pace. Dusty

 

[meanjean]

Saplings, all under a foot tall.

 

[skeets]

jean I dont know how youe land lays but taking a 275 gallon tank and filling it half full and then driving around is not a good idea,,, see the water inside will begin to slosh around inside as you move, and 20 gallon of water sloshing up on the side of the tank would be like a 160 person standing inthe back of your wagon moving from side to side. We have had several guys hauling water on trailers that fliped because they were not full.
In a pickup 2000 pounds will squat that little rasqual down unless you beef up the springs but if your trees are not to far apart then park it in a central place and drag the hose to the trees. I do like the idea of an old oil tank on its side though its not real high and you wouldnt get to much slosh in the water. I like the 5 gallon bucket idea slow and easy watering right where you need it,, good one dusty you dont mind if I use that one do you?

 

[meanjean]

I've got a gas powered water pump which is all business.
I think it might have a little too much jam and would blast away the top soil.

I like the 5 gallon pail idea, give the trees a real good soak.

I still think moving 2 barrels at a time in a trailer is the leading fix.

Anyone else with creative solutions?

 

[stuart]

A few question before I offer any weird ideas.....

How many trees?
How much water per tree, and how many times per week do you give that amount? I was thinking of watering twice a week would be enough
How many rows, how many trees per row?

rough calculation, 6 gals/cubic foot, 10lbs per gallon.
I would not put more than 500 lbs on the 3-point, and i would want 3 or 4 separate tanks if I were on uneven ground.
Also, with a 1000lb tractor I would not want to be towing 1000lbs of water, which is only 100 gallons.

What about a standard crop sprayer with a number of the nozzles closed off so you don't waste any water?

Stuart

 

[dusty-t]

Hi Meanjean. We had a pretty good frost this morning. Aquaforces idea with the dogs is sounding good.It won't freeze as fast. I hope you have got this worked out already. Could be the ground is gonna get stiff before too long. Dusty

 

[meanjean]

Roughly 300 trees to water.
2-3 times per week for watering.
3 gallons per tree, per watering.
4 single rows, 1 double row, and 1 quad row.

Tractor weighs in at 1800 pounds.
2 (50 gallon) rain barrels is max for my trailer. Most of my property is quite flat.
Only bump is the driveway which is minimal.

Crop sprayer would work.

 

[logan]

Need a solution for watering our trees.
Will take roughly 6 rain barrels (300 gallons) to water them all.

A gravity fed hose would be ideal although an electric pump would be fine.
Would like a system that can be run solo and without having to get off whichever machine I use to pull it.

I have seen water containers with a metal cage around it. Looks like it would fit in my truck bed, also appears to hold a good quantity of water.
Wouldn't be convenient for moving around the property though. Also would pose difficulties for running solo so truck is probably not the best solution.

Here's a few ideas:
-Buy one of these water containers I mentioned and fabricate a lifting device on my loader.

-Get forks for the machine and move rain barrels on a pallet.

-Tow container on a trailer.

who can chime in with advise?

in case I missed something . what is your terrain and how many feet are you talking? we installed a 1100 gal portable tank in the ground this summer, we gravity feed down hill 150'/200'and pump up on higher ground.

 

[meanjean]

We are on flat terrain.
Trees are scattered all around our 5 acres.

I made mention of half filling a 275 gallon tank but was advised it would slosh around and potentially flip
If the tank was completely full then eventually it would be half full after watering...
I will find out how much my truck bed is weighted for. A 20 foot hose would work fine.

 

[53dudestoy]

water weighs...US gallon= 8.35 pounds
Imperial gallon (UK measure) =10 pounds
just to clarify a bit.

myself...would alternate watering days/group of trees.
instead of trying to do all at once
use trailer or pallet forks and 12volt electric pump.
pumps can be purchased most anywhere. farm/feed stores,
home depot,harbor freight.

 

[meanjean]

Thanks very much for the weights, saved me the trouble.
My 50 gallon rain barrels will tip the scales at just about 420 pounds.
Was advised that my half ton can safely haul......half a ton. Can't believe I didn't make that connection.
Will carry 2 barrels at a time. Don't want to push my old girl too hard.

I have elected to tap each barrel and use a 15 foot hose. Gravity fed is sufficient,
Fill the barrel with the garden hose, we are on well water.

Thanks for all the advise. Always open to new ideas.

Mean Jean

 

[aquaforce]

Anyone else with creative solutions?

Soooooooooooo...........are you saying the dog idea is out??????


LOL LOL ROFL

 

[meanjean]

Great idea vic. I considered the pipe idea as well.
The water container you referred to is called a water tote.
That is whay my neighbour calls it anyways.

I'd imagine you space the tines accordingly on your cultivator?