Buried Padlocks

[Kscardsfan]

We have a large amount of buried padlocks at my facility and invariably they end up rusting shut and we can't unlock them and resort to cutting them off. Has anyone here in the hivemind successfully weatherproofed one? I know when we bury utilities we have to wrap some of the unions and fittings in silicone or Teflon tape to seal them up and prevent water intrusion and damage and I am wondering if that would work for us as well.

 

[rlitman]

Buried, as in underground? You can get padlocks with a brass hasp that are less likely to corrode in a marine environment, and some of these are even kind enough to use stainless ball bearings, but dirt intrusion can still easily jam up the pins (and they don't always have non-ferrous springs either). I've had good luck with liberally spraying Fluid Film into outdoor locks, and the brass locks tend to be reliable for me even when ignored for years exposed to the weather, but only above ground and above the height that they would get splashed with dirt when it rains.

 

[OneEyedMan]

Is there any heat shrink tube big enough to fit over the locks? If that’s an option as a sacrificial cover, it can be cut off to access the lock.

 

[rlitman]

Is there any heat shrink tube big enough to fit over the locks? If that’s an option as a sacrificial cover, it can be cut off to access the lock.

Interesting idea. Maybe a gel clamshell like you use for buried wire connections?

 

[PCustoms]

We have a large amount of buried padlocks at my facility and invariably they end up rusting shut and we can't unlock them and resort to cutting them off. Has anyone here in the hivemind successfully weatherproofed one? I know when we bury utilities we have to wrap some of the unions and fittings in silicone or Teflon tape to seal them up and prevent water intrusion and damage and I am wondering if that would work for us as well.

Why burry a padlock?

 

[neophyte]

Squire Lock in the UK manufactures “All Terrain” licks, designed to resist dust and dirt.

All Terrain Padlocks

Our all-terrain padlocks are specifically designed to withstand tough, outdoor conditions. Their heavy-duty construction and reliability make them the ideal choice for securing your shed, gate or valuable belongings in harsh environments. The weather resistant designs of our all-terrain...

squirelocks.co.uk

As well as “Marine Grade” locks, designed to resist corrosion in corrosive environments.

Marine Grade Padlocks

Our marine grade padlocks are high-quality locks designed specifically for use in harsh, outdoor environments where they are exposed to saltwater, rain, and other corrosive elements. Constructed using high-quality stainless-steel components, these corrosive resistant locks are ideal for...

squirelocks.co.uk

Abus, Masterlock, and others also make corrosion resistant locks.

https://www.abus.com/usa/Products/Padlocks/By-application/Marine

Boats & Marine Padlocks | Master Lock

Boats & Marine Padlocks by Master Lock.

www.masterlock.com

Finding an enclosure that can surround and protect the lick as well would also likely be a good idea though.

 

[PCustoms]

@neophyte how many licks does it take?

 

[neophyte]

@neophyte how many licks does it take?

I usually just bite thru the candy coating on the Tootsie pops.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

Anti-sieze? (runs away)

 

[mikegt4]

I have a solid brass padlock that has latched my trailer coupler(s) sitting out in the weather for decades. I do have to squirt some lube, dry or otherwise, into it every couple of years. It was a "lockout/tagout" for machinery at my job back in the 1990's until replaced by plastic OSHA approved LO/TO locks.

 

[Junkman]

I have a Best (brand name) brass lock on a shipping container, and it has been exposed to the elements for over 15 years, yet it still functions well with no lubrication or cover. The only problem is that the key for it has been lost for most of those 15 years, and I am the only one who has a Grand Master key that opens everything; I never let anyone borrow it. The Best Lock system features removable cores, allowing for quick changes if an employee leaves and the key is not returned. Simply replace the removable cylinder, collect the remaining keys, and issue the new key. I purchased the system from a large department store that has since gone out of business. I share the system with a friend who has multiple apartments in various buildings.

 

[bonneyman]

My dad used to tell me how in the old days they'd use cosmoline to preserve guns, parts, tools, just about everything. Basically prevents rust, and I gotta tell you when I've received items so preserved its a real pain to get that stuff off. Don't know where to get it but might be worth a look/see.

 

[tarbellb]

If it doesn't see a lot of use a heavy zip-lock baggie or cellophane goes a long way

 

[mm08822]

@neophyte how many licks does it take?

Probably depends on how good one is at it.

 

[zendriver]

I'd put them in sturdy baggies and strong tape.

Probably does not take much, to be better than nothing. Even rustproof lock, there is getting dirt inside

 

[rlitman]

...Even rustproof lock, there is getting dirt inside

Exactly. And dirt is the enemy of moving parts.

Thinking this through another day, one thing that came to mind is that disc detainer core lockers (Abloy type) handle dirt ingress better than pin or wafer locks (they only have one moving side bar and no springs). They're also much easier to flush out. The problem is that they are features of higher security locks, so I haven't seen them on all-brass corrosion resistant locks. If stainless is ok:

Zarker J45S keyed Padlock, Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Shackle Lock, 3 Keys, Waterproof and Rustproof Storage, Warehouses, Garage, Outdoors, 1-Pack - Amazon.com

Zarker J45S keyed Padlock, Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Shackle Lock, 3 Keys, Waterproof and Rustproof Storage, Warehouses, Garage, Outdoors, 1-Pack - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Hopefully it's drain holes point to the ball bearings and let you shoot FluidFilm in with the red straw.

Another thing that came to mind is that circular diskus style padlocks (the kind most often used on storage lockers) have loose tolerances (can handle some corrosion) and can easily tolerate being packed full of grease. They can be found in stainless (may or may not be appropriate for your soil chemistry), but I don't see ones with disc detainer cores. Abus does make one with a stainless shackle and core weather cover.

You can drill and tap that for a zerk. Just saying...

 

[Firebrick43]

If the lock is buried you are not opening and closing it regularly. Is work a grave yard where people are trying to rob graves?

Any who, whatever the odd reason to bury locks, why not use a one time utility lock? You place the on and tighten one bolt until it’s pre-scored head is sheared off and unlocking involves using a bolt cutter.

But you are already using a bolt cutter and instead of 2 buck a piece you are dropping serious coin on padlocks and you will spend even more in methods and wages to keep a padlock sealed and working and un sealing it to unlock when your employees need to get back in

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

I really like @Firebrick43 ’s suggestion. Seems highly economical & no frills, you know exactly what you will be dealing with for opening/ & re-locking with a new one.

That said, Abus Marine does exist. They have fully covered/enclosed locks, that Diskus pictured above is one from the Marine series, but there are other styles as well. How well they would fare when buried, I don’t know. And they do come with a certain price tag.

Thinking about it, I Still like Firebrick43’s suggestion better.

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[tarbellb]

$2 a pop for the one time use locks

seems like a real candidate


(I was about to suggest heavy wire cable and swagging w hammer onsite, but the real deal is likely cheaper)

 

[rlitman]

...Is work a grave yard ...

LMAO. But seriously, I think you had the best idea. If a lock is being buried for a long time and expected to be operated infrequently, it really does sound like it's crossed the line from lock to tamper-evident-seal.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

 

[Kscardsfan]

If the lock is buried you are not opening and closing it regularly. Is work a grave yard where people are trying to rob graves?

Any who, whatever the odd reason to bury locks, why not use a one time utility lock? You place the on and tighten one bolt until it’s pre-scored head is sheared off and unlocking involves using a bolt cutter.

But you are already using a bolt cutter and instead of 2 buck a piece you are dropping serious coin on padlocks and you will spend even more in methods and wages to keep a padlock sealed and working and un sealing it to unlock when your employees need to get back in

This maybe the answer we need.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I think we'd all love to know why you're burying padlocks.

If someone's motivated enough to dig to get to your thing, I'd think they're also motivated enough to bring a bolt cutter.

 

[rooster59]

This guy probably could be of some help ...

 

[Hannahranga]

I think we'd all love to know why you're burying padlocks.

If someone's motivated enough to dig to get to your thing, I'd think they're also motivated enough to bring a bolt cutter.

Not OP but my department has lots of low to the ground bits of padlocked equipment, other departments don't always care about our if/when they're moving dirt around. Or they're just in a low point that gets filled by dirt washing in after it's rained

 

[tarbellb]

I think the OP works w gates and access points in remote places, like trail heads and service roads. They didn't always think about how to secure these, and often was a retro fit

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

How about heating them up and dipping in melted wax (several times) to build up a waterproof coating.

When you want to open them just warm them up and the melted wax should give way and even act as a nice lubricunt.

Could also wrap in denso tape after the wax dips.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Check out Wilson Bohannan solid brass padlocks. All the major utilities use them, in all kinds of conditions. www.padlocks.com

 

[lolaetype]

Any who, whatever the odd reason to bury locks, why not use a one time utility lock? You place the on and tighten one bolt until it’s pre-scored head is sheared off and unlocking involves using a bolt cutter.

Sounds like the padlocks the OP is currently using are pretty much performing the same function. But those utility locks are really cheap so they are probably a better option.

Like many here I want to know why padlocks are being buried.

 

[Lorydr]

I would try cutting the bottom off of a plastic water bottle, then using a heat gun to shrink it onto the lock. Maybe the cap could be unscrewed to insert a key.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I think we'd all love to know why you're burying padlocks.

If someone's motivated enough to dig to get to your thing, I'd think they're also motivated enough to bring a bolt cutter.

We have a disc golf course we have to keep up with and the locks to hold them in the ground to the concrete mounts are padlocked to keep them secure. They could honestly just break them off at the ground if they were wanting to damage it. But we are also in a large college town where frat guys will take random stuff as trophies.

Not OP but my department has lots of low to the ground bits of padlocked equipment, other departments don't always care about our if/when they're moving dirt around. Or they're just in a low point that gets filled by dirt washing in after it's rained

This is another issue we deal with, they're ground level and the wash over with dirt and **** if they aren't already buried.

I think the OP works w gates and access points in remote places, like trail heads and service roads. They didn't always think about how to secure these, and often was a retro fit

I am a conservation officer/park manager and yes, we have to lock up random back roads, vault toilet hatches, which is horribly concerning, disc golf baskets and tee signs, gates, signs, and who knows whatever else.