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Nurse Tank Trailer Built Out Of Truck Frame
"I use 28 percent nitrogen and starter fertilizer when I plant corn, and then sidedress additional 28 percent later. I made this low-cost nurse tank trailer out of an old truck frame to haul both liquids to the field at the same time," says Roger Hoftyzer, Hartley, Iowa.
The trailer is equipped with a 1,300-gal.
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Nurse Tank Trailer Built Out Of Truck Frame FERTILIZER APPLICATION 26-5-25 "I use 28 percent nitrogen and starter fertilizer when I plant corn, and then sidedress additional 28 percent later. I made this low-cost nurse tank trailer out of an old truck frame to haul both liquids to the field at the same time," says Roger Hoftyzer, Hartley, Iowa.
The trailer is equipped with a 1,300-gal. stainless steel tank that holds 28 percent, and a 450-gal. tank that holds starter fertilizer. Both tanks are filled from the bottom using transfer pumps. A 5 hp Briggs & Stratton transfer pump mounts on back. There's also an induction tank for when he uses the trailer for spray work.
Hoftyzer started with a 1966 1 1/2-ton Ford grain truck that he already had and stripped it down to the frame and axles. He cut 4 ft. out of the frame and moved the front axle back. He also removed the front springs and installed lengths of steel I-beam that allow the truck frame to set directly on the front axle. He used 3-in. sq. tubing to make an extended tongue and also made a steering linkage for it.
He bought the 1,300-gal. stainless steel tank at a local consignment sale. It had been mounted on a truck and came equipped with mounting fenders which he bolted to the truck frame. The 450-gal. tank came off an old Ag Chem sprayer. He built a saddle for it that also bolts to the truck frame. Then he mounted both tanks on the frame and also made a platform on front out of treated lumber for hauling seed bags and other supplies.
"It works great and is an efficient way to get more done when planting. I can plant about 75 acres at a time without having to go back to the farm," says Hoftyzer, who used the trailer for the first time last spring. " Another advantage of having my own tanks is that I can purchase the products whenever I want, without having to wait for a supplier to bring tanks and fertilizer out to me. I buy my own 28 percent by the semi load. When I need to refill the tank, I just go home and fill it. I apply about 20 gal. per acre of 28 percent and 7 gal. per acre of starter fertilizer."
Contact: Roger Hoftyzer, 3320 Yew Ave., Hartley, Iowa 51346 (ph 712 728-2158; E-mail: hoftrog@evertek.net).
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