Homemade Roller Striper

Here is a rainy day project for you or it can be done in your spare time. This roller is heavy duty and should last a long, long time.

Materials List

l pc. Schedule 40 PVC 4" Pipe
2 ea. Schedule 40 - 4" End Caps
l Bag Ready Mix Concrete
2 ea. 2-1/2" #13 --l/2" Bolts Threaded Within 3/4" of Bolt Head
(I threaded the unthreaded area myself)
10 -- 1/2" Flat Washers
2 -- Pcs. l/2" Electrial Conduit Cut to 1" Long - For Bushings
2-- Regular l/2" #13 Nuts
2-- Lock Nuts 1/2" #13
2-- Eye Bolts or S Hooks to Ride on the Bushings
( I used Eye Bolts and Bent the threaded End For Hooks)

Assembly

1. Determine the distance from the center or inside of the
tires. Use center measurement if you want the roller a
little longer.
2. Cut the PVC pipe 2-1/2" shorter than the measurement
and this will allow for the bulges at the end of the caps.
3. Mix the concrete and put a couple of plastic bags on one
end of the pipe. Wrap it up around the pipe with duct
tape. Stand the pipe on end and fill it up with concrete.
Set it aside and let the concrete set up.
4. File off the brand name on the end caps so you will have
a level surface. Mark the centers and drill a 1/2" hole in
each cap.
5. Slide (1) washer on the bolt and push the bolt from the
inside of the cap outwards. Next (1) washer and then
the 1/2" regular nut. Tighten the nut securely.
6. Next another washer and the bushing. If you use eye
bolts slide one of them onto the bushing . If you use S
Hooks put it on and make sure the end is crimped close
enough to keep it on the bushing.
7. Put (2) washers on and then the lock nut. Tighten the
lock nut snugly and back it off just a little to give the
bushing enough freedom to rotate.
8. When the concrete has set up use a block of wood and a
hammer to tap the caps onto the pipe. Do not cement
these on. You may have to take the caps off if you ever
wear the bolts out from the bushings turning on them.

I enclosed a couple pictures . This one might not win a beauty contest but the price was right and it works . The closeup of the
end cap will help you see the assembly of the outside hardware.

Nosmo

 

With no bearings, I can't imagine the chain links lasting very long. How much does the roller weigh?

 

It's only 2 tons, also a good anchor in the mud if you plan to get stuck.

 

There should be no wear on the chain just either the bushing and
bolt. It's just for my own home use and should last quite a while.
I keep an Acre and a quarter mowed. If the bushing wears out I
can cut a couple more in less than 5 minutes.

Never been stuck here , hah. Don't think it will make an anchor for
me. Right now the ground that isn't being watered is hard as a brick.

Weight , well it may weigh 25 or 30 pounds . Probably not much more than if it was filled with sand.

You guys watch out for the heat. It is running close to 100 every
day and the humidty is murder (96% yesterday) here.

Nosmo

 

Does the pipe roll or is is it just dragged?
Got any pics of them stripes?

 

yeah got some pics in action

 

Yes it rolls real easily. The S Hooks or Eye Bolt remains stationary but the bushing turns on the bolt in between the washers. Looks like the only part that will wear out is the 1" bushing. I mowed today and will try to get some photos in the morning .

Nosmo

 

Buy a scag,they come standard equipment.

 

Here is a pic of some stripes this roller made. The building in the background which needs painting is my shop building 24' x 40'. I know it needs painting badly but my excuse when asked is this : I am doing like the Japanese (no painting on the outside) to keep the evil
spirits away.

Nosmo

 

Thank you for sharing a cost-effective solution as an alternative to a 300-dollar commercial striping kit. (NO I am not being sarcastic, I paid the 300 bucks and have used it but the thing weighs 75 or so pounds and drags my usually nimble 300-lb. 48" 15hp mower way down).