just looking to see what kind of ideas ya'll have on how to repair a 55 gallon barrel feeder. This feeder has been in place for about 11-12 years and only been knocked over once before (without damage). This time, it must have been close to full of corn and hogs had to have gotten to rooting and pushed it over causing the damage. Yes, I know I should stake it down, but it would take a hammer drill to put stakes or T-posts out there ... but I might have to do that or somehow weight the legs.

anyway, as you can see, it is no longer round, oval sort of with a flat where it hit the ground. Are there any good or easy ways to form it back into close to round again?

I have a barrel I'll give you.... I can get it as far as Salado.

Big furniture clamps and a hammer are about your best option. But, it looks like your leg brackets bolt on. I'd go find you a once-used $25 drum and re-do it if I was you.

was wondering about stabilizing and then using my front end loader to apply pressure a little at a time, but figured once it starts to reshape, it will go way too much.

Thanks TEXASLEFTY, where is the island of Cres located? I'll be heading to Fairfield early afternoon on Friday thru Sunday and might could meet up along the way.

TxAg, yes, bolt on leg brackets that have been in place for a long time, would take a grinder or torch to remove, then have to reconfigure all the timer box & coon cage, would take a lot of effort and I might as well build new brackets.

Turn the barrel to where the bent area is on top. Take a bottle jack and place on bottom of barrel opposite the bent area with blocks under. Use the jack with a block or board on top to bend the barrel back in shape.

Strap it to a tree with good side against tree. Bottle jack and a couple short 2x4 and pop it back out jacking against the tree. Just a wild thought.

My way is better...

Lay the flat end of the barrel in a ditch that is the approximate round shape that you want the barrel and go after it with a sledge?

not sure why the jack idea didn't cross my mind. I had to do similar to one of my feeders from out in Ozona where the barrel collapsed where the legs attached. I have a shop jack and 2x4s already cut. Thanks!

If you want a barrel.... I'll be at 35 and 635 Sunday... I live at 76210

Had that happen to one of mine. I used a vehicle scissor jack with a piece of 2x4 and rounded it back out. Worked great!