Old plastic barrels come in handy for building a homemade water wagon.
Building your own water wagon is a cost efficient and eco-friendly way to move water from your outdoor rain barrel to the trees and plants that need the water. A homemade water wagon is easily put together with a few tools and items from your local home improvement store. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Prepare the Barrel
1. Drill a hole the size of the spigot in the closed barrel lid, using the hole saw. When the wagon is complete, this spigot will be where the water comes out, so it should be at the lowest point of the lid when the barrel is on its side. The bung, which is a closure that seals a container, will be used to fill the water wagon barrel. It should be opposite the spigot on the lid.
2. Apply epoxy adhesive to the interior of the drilled hole and around the outside. Insert the spigot into the hole, making sure that it fits snugly. Wipe away any excess epoxy adhesive.
3. Set the barrel aside to dry completely.
Construct the Wagon Frame
4. Build a grid with the lumber planks and steel pipes. Begin by cutting the wood planks to make two that are 1 to 2 feet longer than the barrel, and two that are 1 to 2 feet wider than the barrel. Store excess lumber scraps where they will not interfere with this project.
5. Saw the steel pipes to make three of equal length to the two shorter wood planks, 1 to 2 feet wider than the barrel. Leave one steel pipe at its full 8 feet. Store excess metal pipe out of the way.
6. Place the two longest lumber planks parallel to each other, just wide enough apart that the plastic barrel fits between them. Place the two shorter lumber planks parallel to each other, and on top of and perpendicular to the longer ones, just far enough apart that the barrel fits between them. Screw these four planks together in this position with the drill, so that they make a frame for the plastic barrel.
7. Screw the three shorter metal pipe lengths to the underside of the longer wooden planks, using the metal drill bit before the screws. Place the metal pipes at even intervals between the shorter wooden planks on the frame's top. These three metal pipes will support the barrel as it sits within the wooden frame.
8. Screw the 8-foot metal pipe to the underside of, and perpendicular to, the three shorter metal pipes, directly between and parallel to the longer wooden planks. This will provide extra support, and extend beyond the frame for attachment to your tractor or other vehicle.
9. Screw a caster to each of the four points where the wooden planks cross over each other. The wagon will be able to roll without being elevated. It will only use the back wheels when hitched to your vehicle.
Assemble the Wagon
10. Screw the pull handles to the tops of the longer wooden planks. Place them directly over the four points where the lumber crosses over the outermost steel pipes. These handles will hold the bungee cords.
11. Place the plastic barrel on its side within the wooden frame and resting on the steel pipes. The bung and spigot should face off the back of the wagon for easier access, with the bung centered at the top of the lid, and the spigot directly beneath it at the bottom of the lid.
12. Hook the bungee cords into the metal pull handles so they hold the plastic barrel firmly in place.
13. Affix your water wagon to your vehicle with the appropriate hitch. You can now fill the barrel through the bung with a hose and attach a hose to the spigot to water your gardens.
Tags: water wagon, wooden planks, plastic barrel, steel pipes, each other