Securing plastic water troughs

dmakc

What is the best way to protect plastic water troughs in fields from being overturned / moved without having to replace them all with concrete ones?

The11Duff

I used to put a post either side of them. Also helps to have a level base

Mooooo

The recycling bin. Either that or get them oversized and drive stakes down either side of it

dmakc

A post would be needed all four sides I imagine?

Anyone ever try run an electric fence closely around the perimiter of the trough rims? Most of the troughs are under an electric fence to begin with so the source is there

whelan2

We set a couple of them in concrete. Tbh they are a pain in the hole. Ballcock getting stuck down under the bridge etc. Have also put tooth of buck rake down on 2 sides and fence posts on the other sides. Too much work for what they are. Only thing worse than them is the big round plastic drinkers.

Jb1989

whelan2 wrote: »

We set a couple of them in concrete. Tbh they are a pain in the hole. Ballcock getting stuck down under the bridge etc. Have also put tooth of buck rake down on 2 sides and fence posts on the other sides. Too much work for what they are. Only thing worse than them is the big round plastic drinkers.

Bridge is easily solved with an old 5 gallon drum plastic and a few gutter bolts, extending down the sides.

alps

They're

Just Fu****g Cu**s

of things

whelan2

Jb1989 wrote: »

Bridge is easily solved with an old 5 gallon drum plastic and a few gutter bolts, extending down the sides.

You shouldn't have to do that though. They should be fit for what they are made for.

Jb1989

alps wrote: »

They're

Just Fu****g Cu**s

of things

They have their place, good if tightened up properly, and very easily moved under your arm.

Jb1989

whelan2 wrote: »

You shouldn't have to do that though. They should be fit for what they are made for.

Plenty of items need adjustments, even brand new, top range items do.

mahoney_j

dmakc wrote: »

What is the best way to protect plastic water troughs in fields from being overturned / moved without having to replace them all with concrete ones?

Simple replace them with concrete ,plastic troughs have to be the greatest whores of yokes going especially the bigger ones

patsy_mccabe

Are ye talkin about small rectangular plastic ones or the bigger circular ones?
Have smaller rectangular ones here and never a problem. They must be getting fully emptying if cattle are moving them.

whelan2

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Are ye talkin about small rectangular plastic ones or the bigger circular ones?
Have smaller rectangular ones here and never a problem. They must be getting fully emptying if cattle are moving them.

They are ok if they are not for dairy cows. Too much demand on water with dairy cows. We have them on outfarm and they are ok but they are very secure. Only concrete ones on home farm

dmakc

I'd be rectangular plastic and it's the bull scratching off them that's the problem. Cows never harmed them down the years

Say my name

dmakc wrote: »

I'd be rectangular plastic and it's the bull scratching off them that's the problem. Cows never harmed them down the years

If just thinking of going bigger to solve your problem. Be aware the bull can shift those circular plastic ones too. I've a leitrim Angus bull that showed me.

alps

Just think the design is terrible. The margin to spillover between the point where the ballcock shuts off and the top of the tank is too small. Bending the rod on the ballcock is fine but even the plastic thickness where the valve secures to the tank is too light and allows for rocking of the whole valve.

Definitely needs to be positioned at 90 degrees under a fence wire so that only one side of the trough can be emptied and weight remains in the other side of it.

mahoney_j

alps wrote: »

Just think the design is terrible. The margin to spillover between the point where the ballcock shuts off and the top of the tank is too small. Bending the rod on the ballcock is fine but even the plastic thickness where the valve secures to the tank is too light and allows for rocking of the whole valve.

Definitely needs to be positioned at 90 degrees under a fence wire so that only one side of the trough can be emptied and weight remains in the other side of it.

I’ve 4 of the 150 liter I think round jfc troughs on out farm ,3 stakes driven around them and strand of high tensile wire around in a loop .agree about ball cock ,retrofitted bottom fill ballcocks on mine in thru bund on bottom way better job

stretch film

mahoney_j wrote: »

I’ve 4 of the 150 liter I think round jfc troughs on out farm ,3 stakes driven around them and strand of high tensile wire around in a loop .agree about ball cock ,retrofitted bottom fill ballcocks on mine in thru bund on bottom way better job

Worth putting a non return valve on the pipe in.
If your water pressure drops off it can cause all the sh1te in bottom to syphon back into line.

Jb1989

alps wrote: »

Just think the design is terrible. The margin to spillover between the point where the ballcock shuts off and the top of the tank is too small. Bending the rod on the ballcock is fine but even the plastic thickness where the valve secures to the tank is too light and allows for rocking of the whole valve.

Definitely needs to be positioned at 90 degrees under a fence wire so that only one side of the trough can be emptied and weight remains in the other side of it.

2 old rotary mower blades, one either side of the nuts, will strengthen up that to stop sagging of plastic.

Cattlepen

They are not the best but I have put a good few of them in out of handyness sake. Easily put in without help. I put 2 stakes on both the wide sides and one at each end. Drove them level with the trough with a post driver. Seems to be stable enough.
On the point of drinkers it’s hard to get good concrete drinkers. I’ve gone through a fair lot of ****e ones of them. I’m beginning to think that steel IAE brand drinkers set properly in a frame be it steel or stud rail type of thing would be the best job

mf240

Through a couple of concrete blocks in them. Stopped them getting shoved around.

49801

a Stiff mix of concrete place trough on top and then push trough down into it.

As others have said... concrete ones first day are better in the long run. New ones with a decent bung to clean are a good job too.

Good loser

I have put 6'' concrete blocks set in plaster on each side of 90 gal JFC plastic tanks. Stable for years now.

Cattlepen

mf240 wrote: »

Through a couple of concrete blocks in them. Stopped them getting shoved around.

Good simple soloution. Down there for dancing, as they say

fastrac

I sold every last one of them in the middle of the 2018 drought.They paid for a couple of concrete troughs.Not a bother since.