Need ideas...hmmm, it's not a chicken coop, but....

[morelcabin]

I am building a bear proof community garbage box for the end of the private road we live on. It is fairly big, 4x8, with a hinged lid on top. I need help with one problem...many of the prople using it are elderly and the top is 3/4 inch 3x8' plywood and heavy for them. I am thinking of adding some kind of air or hydraulic cylinder or something to make it easier for them to open...does anyone have any ideas? Are the cylinders expensive?

 

[Flyingbavarian]

You might try a salvage yard and pull some off a minivan or hatchback of some sort. I am not sure they would work for what you are doing but it could be a cheap source.

 

[injunjoe]

How about using springs from a garage door.
I made a cover for my hot tub using sliding glass doors hinged and a torsion spring
setup to help open it. The lid would weigh a ton without the spring.
I hope this gives you an idea how to flip your lid.

 

[dirtybug]

Why not keep it simple and just add counter weights?

 

[spook]

or front swinging doors with a bar to drop down into a L shaped seating, then have the metal bar have a paddle lock type lock with a dog chain type clasp in the center. That way they can unclasp, lift the bar up and over, place their garbage in and swivle the bar up and seat it back in to lock into place.
I have found an unusual tactic for bear, coon and woodchuck deterants, that is a bag of foul smelling cat scoops! I does not smell good. Amonia may help deter the bear along with your trash box.

 

[morelcabin]

Quote:
Hey Joe...you got a pic of this? And was it cheap?

 

[patandchickens]

Counterweights would be best. You want something just heavy enough to *almost* but not totally negate the weight of the lid, so it only takes a teensy bit of push to open it. Then of course you need a real secure latch

The two main ways I know of are:

-- build an extension off the back of the lid, VERY STRONG AND RIGID, and weight the end of it with a box o' rocks or an old engine or whatever you gots.

or

-- a pulley system rigged up with said box o' rocks etc.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[injunjoe]

Quote:
Hey Joe...you got a pic of this? And was it cheap?

I will get a picture asap for you.
I was going to suggest an old door opener also. With a keypad to let the folks in that belong there. It would need counter balance springs or weight.
If anyone does use a garage door spring, be sure to buy a new one.
I like to reuse/recycle but this is not were you want to do it!
A old door spring has been used for many many cycles.
These springs are rated for just so many cycles.

My setup is a torsion type, a extension spring could also be used.
They both open millions of doors everyday!

Oh Lowes has ext. springs for about $10.00 give or take.

 

[injunjoe]

Ok a few pictures of what I am talking about.
As you can see the tube goes through the spring, bearing plates, and the arms hooked to the glass doors.
With all bolted down the spring is wound. Then the set screws are set. the tork. from the spring is now
applied to the tube, the arms are bolted through the tube so when the door is lifted the spring helps carry the weight.

This view is with the door open the spring still has winds left in it so it holds the door open against the stop.
It only takes a little lifting to open the glass doors.

I have more pics with some details if you are into this idea.
Sorry for my bad spelling and such, After all I'm just a hi tec redneck!