Loader Bucket Converted To BBQ Grill

Loader Bucket Converted To BBQ Grill AG WORLD When Lloyd McConnell replaced an old loader bucket with a new one he hated to toss the old one So he decided to make a barbecue grill out of it that measures 60 in long by 28 in wide     “I jury-rigged an axle for it and mounted it to steel wheels ” says McConnell “I wouldn’t want to pull it at road speed but it’s perfect for taking to the creek for a picnic     “I made an axle out of the upset ends of 2 3/8-in oil well tubing ” says McConnell “I tacked the upset ends in the wheel hubs and made bearings for them with 2 7/8-in tubing ”     The bearings consist of 1-in wide collars of the 2 7/8-in tubing welded to the 2 3/8-in tubing to either side of a free moving 10-in length of the larger pipe McConnell tapped the sleeves and put in grease zerks for lubrication With the collars snug up tight to the bearing sleeve very little grease escapes     Initially McConnell slipped the opposite ends into a pipe sleeve and welded them in place This made a solid axle When he realized that meant they couldn’t turn independently on curves he cut a short length out of the center of the sleeve He also added a spacer where the bearings would mount to the bucket     “I wanted a little clearance between the axle and the bottom of the bucket ” says McConnell “I welded short pieces of 2 by 4-in channel iron to the bottom ends of the bucket and then welded the bearing sleeves to them ”     McConnell added a tongue to the grill using 3 by 3-in square tubing He butt welded it to the bucket/grill and reinforced it with 1 1/2-in angle iron braces     “I mounted the tongue so when it’s hooked to my ATV the grill is level ” says McConnell “I also added a couple of homemade jack stands to one end for added stability when it’s not hooked up ”     The jack stands are simple pipe in pipe affairs that can be pinned at the appropriate height McConnell tacked feet on the ends of the jack stand pipe for more stability in sand or soft ground     “I had some old shaker screen that fit close enough ” says McConnell “With a couple holes cut in the bottom for air and drainage it works great I can put a bunch of salt cedar in it and with a layer of ash it will hold coals for several days ”     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Lloyd McConnell P O Box 27 Fort Sumner New Mexico 88119 ph 858 242-9602; lloydwmc@gmail com

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