What size feeder leg?

[Okiehunter]

I am going to build a 4-leg feeder. Planning to make a square out of 2x2 angle to fit a 55-gal barrel. Planning to put 18-inch leg stub-outs at about 15 degrees made out of 1.25” schedule 40 and brace them. Planning to make the legs out of 1 inch schedule 40 cut 5 feet long to slide inside the 1.25 stub-outs.

My questions are:

Are my schedule 40-pipe sizes large enough to hold the weight of 55 gallons of corn or protein?

Are my schedule 40 pipe sized going to fit?

How tall will the bottom of the feeder be based on the 15-degree angle with 5 foot legs? Should I use a different angle?

Thanks

[Jmh05]

Dang. If it were a simple tripod, I like 1inch steel rod with two cuts giving 3 six foot sections...if my memory is correct.

Your project, sounds like the 5ft legs are going to be bringing the bottom of the feeder pretty low. I'd maybe add a foot or foot and a half.

[Okiehunter]

Your project, sounds like the 5ft legs are going to be bringing the bottom of the feeder pretty low. I'd maybe add a foot or foot and a half.

I am cheap, comes in 20 foot sticks - 4 legs are 5 foot, at least that is my thinking.

[Jmh05]

Role with that first then. See how it is and if you don't like it you can adjust. The metal can always be used for other projects. Post a pic if you can!

[Okiehunter]

I think I have found a calculator the tells me at 15 degrees my 60" legs will give me a 58 inch tall feeder bottom.

20 degrees would give me 56.4 inch tall.

Is that correct????

[Jmh05]

I'm horrible at engineering questions but that does sound about right.

[blntrey3]

Here is what I did on my drum feeders.....found angle and welded on Stock bushing for one inch schedule 40pipe to fit into

About 4ft to bottom of feeder makes filling easy

[Okiehunter]

This is where I am headed. I found this in a 2008 TBH post by predatorsniper.

[blntrey3]

This is where I am headed. I found this in a 2008 TBH post by predatorsniper.

Yea nice, I went easier route....works fine though

[Okiehunter]

I have the frame built, will start on the legs this week.

[MeanGreen1]

We have several on our place with the same logic that you have, 4: 1" square stock legs cut to 60" slid over the top of 3/4" angle stubs bent to somewhere around 20 degrees and welded to the drum. All have been in use for over 4 years w/o any issues. I prefer this height so that I don't have to carry or climb a ladder to fill them up.

[Okiehunter]

If my math is correct, schedule 40 steel pipe in 2" has an ID of 2.047. 1.5" has an OD of 1.9 inches.

So if I make the stubs-outs with the 2" and the legs out of 1.5" they should slide right in with a good tight fit.

If each leg is 60" long the bottom of the feeder barrel should be right at 58" at 15 degrees. With a 16" down spout I should be right at 42" off the ground at the bottom of the feeder opening.

Does that sound about right?

[NTex]

I went with 5ft 1 1/4" conduit on mine. So far they are holding up good. I didn't want to carry around a ladder and access to the feeder would not let me take the truck to fill it. With these I can take off the lid and fill it from the ground.

[Dale Moser]

I would aim for a little more than 15 degrees if you have pigs, or stake the legs down hard.

[Hydestik]

Prob close to 400 lbs once you get everything on it and fill it with corn . That's prob gonna be a push for schedule 40 PVC . I use chain link fence top rail . It's light, cheap, and it will get feeder high enough off the ground .