lid questions and counter weight question.

[bigtim665]

Ok a few of you have been helping me with my layout on the 500 gallon smoker I will be building. I have a few questions on the lid and how I should do it.
A big plan is a whole hog. It is one of the main reasons if not the main reason for such a large smoker. Next is the fact every time I do a smoke for a family get to gather everyone gets in that over feed fighting position for whats left. SO I figure if someone wants some to take home everyone can grab what they want when they come down and I will smoke it for them.

I am thinking one lid running from the weld points on each side where it goes from being round and flat to rounding out on each end. Then it starting at the half way point on the front and going around half way on the top. I guess it would cut out 25% of the tank if that makes any sense. Then using counter weights to help with the weight when lifting the lid.
Does any one have any idea on how much weight I need for counter weights and where do I put them? When we went to the scrap yard today I noticed some heavy steel weights seems they where links in a large chain or cable. Going to ask the owner tomorrow if he would sell me some. Dad said they where properly 20 pounds plus each. I see no reason why he would not since they have a few dozen of them and the just tossed in with scrap.

[Whisky Fish]

If it were me doing it I would build out the lid first, hinges, stops and all. Then your counterwieght structure and then I'd start adding weight, till it gets where I wanted it. All depends on how much ass you want to put into opening it

[bigtim665]

I see kind of what I thought. As for "how much ass your want to put into opening it" AS little as I have to

Ohh Any tips on how I should build the counter weight setup. Seems all of the 500 gallon smokers hav have half or 1/3 size lids.

If it were me doing it I would build out the lid first, hinges, stops and all. Then your counterwieght structure and then I'd start adding weight, till it gets where I wanted it. All depends on how much ass you want to put into opening it

[Richtee]

Here's a quick drawing/idea for you.

[bigtim665]

Thanks richtee I got the ok from the scrap yard manager on the weights I want. I guess there manganese hammers that came out of the local power plant that used them to grind coal. He said that manganese was weldable and ok to cut. seems they looked like steel to me

Do you see any issue with using manganese for the weight

[Richtee]

Other than the fact they are lighter than steel... I think- nope.

[bigtim665]

Ohhh some of the nicer ones I saw for sale had support struts like they have on hatches to hold them up. Like this http://www.jeep4x4center.com/liftgat...p-cherokee.htm

Seems they held the lid up or helped to. Though not sure if it is worth doing.

[Richtee]

I don't think you'd want those. Pretty sure the heat would cause them to fail pretty quick. Maybe if you mounted them on the outside a ways away from the body, but that would look weird? I mean not that it matters... but

[bigtim665]

I was hoping there is a special one for the smoker.

I don't think you'd want those. Pretty sure the heat would cause them to fail pretty quick. Maybe if you mounted them on the outside a ways away from the body, but that would look weird? I mean not that it matters... but