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Gallery, Projects and General => Project Logs => Topic started by: awemawson on November 24, 2016, 09:52:10 AM

Title: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 24, 2016, 09:52:10 AM
On Tuesday afternoon (22/11/2016)  I received an eMail from the local Planning Department giving the go ahead for my new Tractor Shed.

I had deposited a '28 day Notice' with them which if you farm agricultural land over 5 hectares effectively gives them an opportunity to raise objections, but if there are none you can go ahead. However the way the system actually works is that they send out their consultant, who makes you jump through a few hoops and then he decides if he feels the building is 'reasonably needed for agriculture'

When they've done all this then they decide if the scheme falls in the criteria for permitted development or if you need to put in for full planning permission. Obviously the former is much easier as they only demand a 'site plan' roughly locating the building, rather than full detailed drawings as needed for planning permission.

One criteria is the the building development total area is less than 465 sq metres which this easily is, but one locally was turned down  as the hard standing and access track together with the building totalled more than that.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 24, 2016, 10:01:09 AM
So what is the building to be :scratch:

45 foot long, 40 foot wide, 12 foot eaves and a 15 degree pitched roof. 15 foot wide by almost 15 foot high electrically operated roller shutter with a pedestrian door beside it.

Walls will be dark green zintec profiled sheeting with the roof in fibre re-inforced 'big 6' corrugated sheets with fibreglass roof lights. The bottom 500 mm of the walls will be pre-stressed concrete panels to keep the sheets out of the ground and give something to form a 150 mm concrete floor up to.

Currently the site has a huge water tank and a few shrubby trees on it that will have to go, and as you can see from the pictures, there is a bit of ground to be made up to form a base to lay a slab on

In anticipation of getting the go ahead I've been in discussions with a local contractor who has modified buildings for me before. Nowadays steel frame buildings have to be 'CE Certified' or you can't insure them, so this effectively rules out what he was previously doing ie building them from scratch from I beams etc. Now he orders a complete building, pre-made that is delivered as a kit to site, and he does the ground works and erects it. Good old EU squashing the little man :(

He may be able to put a few days in before Christmas to start breaking up the tank and it's base, meanwhile I need to cut down that hawthorn bush that is really a small tree  :zap:

The sooner we can get some fill in to make up the levels the better, so it can be settling for a few months before work starts in earnest in the spring.

..... bankruptcy here we come  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on November 24, 2016, 11:13:47 AM
Andrew,

"Nowadays steel frame buildings have to be 'CE Certified' or you can't insure them," That's insurance, not EU! Here in France, you can still do what you like!

All the best, Matthew
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 24, 2016, 11:27:20 AM
No Matthew - it's an EU harmonisation thing

http://www.steelconstruction.info/CE_marking

And the Insurers always insist on things 'conforming' If this isn't happening in France then they obviously are ignoring the rules - surely not :scratch:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on November 24, 2016, 12:34:47 PM
Andrew,

I stand corrected, although, I am still free to do what I like in my own place in terms of construction and Electrical installations. You have a lot of regs that are much harsher in the UK than her in France.

All the best, Matthew

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on November 24, 2016, 01:07:24 PM
Nowadays steel frame buildings have to be 'CE Certified' or you can't insure them, so this effectively rules out what he was previously doing ie building them from scratch from I beams etc. Now he orders a complete building, pre-made that is delivered as a kit to site, and he does the ground works and erects it. Good old EU squashing the little man :(

Can't you wait a couple of years? Maybe the CE mark requirement will just go away......?  :scratch: :palm:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: charadam on November 24, 2016, 01:51:24 PM
"12 foot eaves and a 15 degree pitched roof. 15 foot wide by almost 15 foot high electrically operated roller shutter".

Looking forward to seeing how you make that fit!

Good news on the go-ahead.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: DMIOM on November 24, 2016, 02:01:37 PM
"12 foot eaves and a 15 degree pitched roof. 15 foot wide by almost 15 foot high electrically operated roller shutter".

Looking forward to seeing how you make that fit!

Good news on the go-ahead.

Andrew did say the shed is to be 40 feet wide
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Spurry on November 24, 2016, 02:09:00 PM
As long as the door is tall enough to get the ready-mix lorry in, he'll be fine.  :wave:
Pete
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 24, 2016, 02:10:59 PM
Assuming main roller shutter door is central - which is what is intended - with the Apex of the roof being about 17 foot 4 inches a 15 foot door theoretically fits, but in practice with the actual positioning  of steels to support it the clearance under the fully raised door will be about 13 foot 6" due to the roll of the shutter blind being above
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: charadam on November 24, 2016, 02:51:47 PM
     You're putting the shutter in the gable end, aren't you.
 http://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/doh-45.gif
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 24, 2016, 02:58:10 PM
Oh yes.

Weather forecast OK for tomorrow so I may be able to make a start clearing the site. I've stacked a whole load of 6" twin wall 6 metre pipes down the side of the tank - need to find somewhere else to hide them before that Hawthorn tree is felled and crushes them.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: jb3cx on November 24, 2016, 05:43:12 PM
Ok Andrew fess up ,is the new building really for tractors ,or for more machines ,http://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/side2side.gif
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Will_D on November 24, 2016, 08:09:36 PM
Will this "tractor shed"benefit the pigs in any way??

I do hope so!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 25, 2016, 02:37:26 AM
No chaps, despite your suspicions, it is genuinely for storing tractors, jcb's, flail mowers and the like. I have a farm yard of this sort of stuff that sits out in all weathers slowly dissolving

The idea is that anything that goes in there will be on wheels or easily moveable so it can be cleared out completely with ease, as it'll make a grand venue for a barn dance !

As for the pigs Will, I'm sure that they'll appreciate a nice clean dry stock trailer when the need arises for them to travel  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 25, 2016, 04:33:42 AM
So no point in hanging around - may as well crack on  :thumbup:

Once the livestock were sorted, I pulled out my cache of pipes and re-located them. I think that they are actually intended as large electrical ducts. They were given to me a few years ago by a friend who had to give up his farm and are too good to throw away, but I've only used short bits over the years :scratch:

Then I set too with the Hawthorn tree. Flipping awkward thing to fell - being a hugely over grown hedge shrub is has many limbs all emerging at just above ground level, with all their tops inter-tangled.

Got the first major limb down and the tops dragged away, so now in for breakfast and let the blood get back into my legs  :bugeye:

I'll venture back out once the post man has been
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 25, 2016, 09:58:41 AM
So back to it after breakfast. Eventually got the lot down, but there was so much hanging over the pig sty's it was impossible to avoid dropping some on their tiled roofs, despite pulling the limbs with a ratchet strap whilst cutting. Never the less minimal damage done - a couple of tiles I think of which I have spares.

Taking the Alder down was a breeze by comparison as i had room to drop it over the tank. Lots of good logs to cut from those limbs and a lot of clearing up to do,  but that will have to await until tomorrow as I'm knackered  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on November 25, 2016, 11:45:13 AM
 Andrew,

I'm glad for you that you got your Planning Consent.  It looks from the photos as if you're 'making space while the sun shines', rather than hay!

I remember reading, years ago, an account in Ideal Home Magazine about a couple renovating a derelict Scottish castle (as you do!).  Apparently the building was well infested with woodworm.  The guy wrote that he obtained a lot of alder logs and distributed them around and throughout the building.  He reckoned that alder is the wood boring beatle's timber of choice and so, over a period (and a few breeding cycles), the woodworm migrated from his structural timbers into the alder.  When this process was complete, he simply burned the alder logs! 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Bee on November 25, 2016, 07:04:09 PM
If you haven't already planned for it it would make sense to prepare one section of the concrete floor over insulation so that one day if needed it can be partitioned off as a workshop without the base being a terrible heat sink.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 26, 2016, 03:27:11 AM
Bee, nice suggestion but just across the yard from where this shed will be I have about 1000 sq foot dedicated workshop with 100 mm insulation under the slab and on the walls and ceiling and its heated by fan assisted radiators off it own boiler.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 26, 2016, 10:06:49 AM
So another day of playing with a chainsaw and I've managed to clear away all the tops into one pile, and pull out anything worth logging, and chopped it into suitable lengths for the log burner  :thumbup:

Having now been able to get close to the pig sty roof and inspect the damage I'm pleased to see that it is minimal - just two broken tiles.

I've left the stumps with a fair bit 'sticking out' as this will give me more leverage with the JCB 803 when the time comes to dig them out. Just need to work out how / where / when to burn that huge pile of tops - certainly moving them again would be a major task, however they are sitting on a decent lawn which it'd be nice to preserve. Oh why did I sell my tractor mounted shredder  :bang:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: howsitwork? on November 26, 2016, 02:40:26 PM
Now if you leave the tops a while Andrew, given the state of genetic engineering and the bioengineering lobby they might get picked up by a few pterodactyls for nesting purposes? :D

More seriously could they not be dragged into use as hedging "hole fillers" . We have several "holes " in hedges locally where amateur rally drivers have found they're not as good at cornering as they think.  :doh:

You might find a local wood turning group are interested in the stumps once they're out?

All the best Ian
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 26, 2016, 03:10:55 PM
Current plan is to have a bonfire in the old tank to lose the tops. It'll have to be in the corner where currently there is an automatic filling water trough used when I've had pigs in there. It was due to be removed before the tank is broken up, but I plan to dig down to it's feeder pipe tomorrow morning, isolate it and pull the trough out.

(Has to be in this corner to keep flames away from other trees)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on November 26, 2016, 04:45:48 PM
This:


might give you some ideas on how to deal with the stumps. Warning! The whole story is a) true, and b) very funny, worth watching to the end  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 27, 2016, 04:45:56 AM
Very good Ade, Blaster Bates is much missed  :thumbup:

I wasn't looking forward to digging out the water feed to the trough as it's a mixture of hard core and earth on top of it, so I thought best get on with it - these things are best just faced up to.

In the event it was a doodle - once I'd got down low enough to expose a bit of blue pipe, careful trowelling got it sufficiently laid bare to cap it with a blanking plug.

(If you look at the picture of it exposed, slightly lower is a duct carrying 415v 3 phase, so careful work was needed)

Needless to say the bolts holding the trough in were thoroughly rusted after a few years underground, but succumbed to an angle grinder and cold chisel allowing me to recover the trough and clear the site for the bonfire  .

So the job was finished by 09:30 which will give me time to shunt a few things around in the yard so I can get at the site better, before I have to take the wife out for her Sunday Roast Beef and Yorkshire Puds
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 27, 2016, 06:24:00 AM
So having moved two tractors (one with grass flail, one with hedge flail, neither of which wanted to start  :bang: ) and got out the Fork Lift to shift a stillage of logs, a lamb weighing crate, a set of Ford 4000 foreloader arms, a fertiliser spreader and a 3 point linkage set of forks at least the 'dog can see the rabbit' and I can get the JCB 803 in to clear up a bit and hoyck out those stumps.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Jo on November 27, 2016, 06:31:25 AM
That reminds me of one of my work colleagues: His friend had this dirty great oak stump in the middle of his "lawn". He couldn't be bothered to dig it out so they hatched a plan that also had the advantage of getting rid of some old bags of fertiliser. Holes dug, fertiliser in position they didn't expect it to do much..... So they withdrew a reasonable distance and let it off......

He told me first the earth moved then they heard the bang of the fertiliser: The stump flew a good forty foot in the air and landed with a thump not far from where they were laying. Needless to say they were still laying there recovering from the shock when the police turned up.

The police plied them with cuppas and listened to the story all the time trying to keep straight faces. In the end they told them : " Now lads you won't be doing that again will you" before they could no longer control themselves and broken down is fits of the giggles

Jo
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 28, 2016, 10:12:53 AM
Rather a frustrating day today - objective was to dig out those two tree stumps, and if time permitted start burning the tops.

Pulling the Alder out was dead easy - shallow rooted and no match for the JCB 803, however the Hawthorn was a different matter altogether  :bang:

Started digging round it, found what I think are all the side roots, chopped them off with an axe or in some cases with a hand saw - heaved and pushed with the digger to no avail. Dug even deeper all round, found no more roots, and still it wouldn't come.

Dug out the Tirfor winch, using the tank as a ground anchor - giving it a good 3 ton pull no movement, pulling with the digger while winching - no movement  :bang:

So I thought I'd sleep on the problem and set too burning the tops. Usual problem with green tops - keeping a heart in the fire. Had to re-light twice. So far about half the pile has reached the fire but not yet all of that is actually burnt.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 28, 2016, 12:33:55 PM
So the day got somewhat better - when I'd managed to shove enough of the tops on the bonfire to make a passageway for the digger, I could use it to compact the branches eliminating the issue with the heart of the fire burning away to an open void.

At this stage things at last began to happen at a reasonable pace, and I was able to clear the pile of tops with some hope that they will all be ash by morning. I've done a couple of 'sides to middle' rounds with a pitch fork, so hopefully not much will be left by morning.


..... by heck that was a hard day ... a pair of Ibuprofen tablets washed down by a couple of cans of Old Specked Hen might improve things  :lol:

(pictures a bit grainy as it was pitch black when I'd finished)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Spurry on November 28, 2016, 01:59:34 PM
I did wonder how you were going to get on with those roots. I had a bit of a problem with some poplars. Started with a 7 ton digger, then had to hire a 13 tonner.
Even the latter would barely carry them to my roadway, after they had been hiked out.
Good luck
Pete
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on November 28, 2016, 07:35:11 PM
...hope that they will all be ash by morning

Hmm, from Hawthorne to Ash, transmutation of wood?  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Brass_Machine on November 28, 2016, 10:37:02 PM
Wow Andrew... I think I need an ibuprofen just from seeing the work you did. Man, that is quite a bit!

Eric
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 29, 2016, 09:04:53 AM
 :clap: She's OUT  :clap:

After a huge struggle, the Hawthorn (Hawthorne?) root IS OUT - hoo blooming ray. Poor old Clive the gardener arrived this morning expecting to rake up leaves and got roped in as 'banksman'. This is a big improvement having a 'man on the ground' as when I was wiggling it with the digger, he could spot soil movement revealing where the remaining roots were.

It finally took the Tirfor pulling at the same time as the JCB 803 to tear out the remaining, albeit smaller, roots under the main root ball. Having dragged it onto 'dry land' it was too heavy for the digger to pick up before I cut off the remaining 'firewood logs' to lighten it. After this I could just pick it up sandwiched between the dozer blade and the bucket, and trundle it off into a corner of the field where it can stay until I decide what to do with it.

To give some scale to this animal, the hurdles that are beside it in the last couple of pictures are 6 foot long - the pictures of the hole don't do justice to it's size  :bugeye:

Now I just need to fix the chain saw (anti vibration mounts collapsed) and fix the Tirfor (release cable lever doesn't do what is says on the box) and I can collapse in front of a fire for the rest of the day  :ddb:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on November 29, 2016, 09:13:01 AM
There are bowl turners who would probably die for a piece of root like that! I don't know how good hawthorn is to turn, but it must be interesting in there! Dried a bit, pressure washed and sawn up could make somebody very happ!

All the best, Matthew.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 29, 2016, 10:13:00 AM
... and they'd be very welcome to it if they come and sort it out for themselves  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Will_D on November 29, 2016, 07:04:45 PM
For such a narly old root bole some woodturners might even pay you for it!

Trimmed of all the little roots and stones and then sliced virtically it would make a dinning table or two worth a few grand!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on November 30, 2016, 04:52:01 AM
Hi there, Andrew,
Glad to see you're getting to the root of your problem!   :lol:   :ddb:   :lol:   :ddb:   :lol:   :ddb: 

 :offtopic:  But here are my wishes to you for a Happy St. Andrew's Day.   :beer:   :beer:   :beer: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 30, 2016, 07:12:53 AM
Thanks Pete - well today's task - start unbolting the tank.

Originally, they have laid a slab, bolted 20 four foot square 1/4" thick pressed panels together, then laid concrete inside the tank and a flaunching round the outside, to make it water proof. Plan is to unbolt as many of the fixings as possible, then Darren the contractor will come in with his big digger and pecker, and break up the concrete and pull the panels out of the mess. Slight problem - some of the bolts are buried in the concrete so will probably have to be cut off with oxy-acetylene, but I want to unbolt as many as possible first to save the cost of the gas.

I have a humungous 1" drive air impact wrench made for the job. These are 5/8" Whitworth bolts that have been in situ outside since the 1960's, so the threads are pretty rusty. So having fed the pigs the important thing is to get the road compressor started, as it's minus 7 Deg C here  :bugeye:

I'd expected to have to leave it on charge over breakfast, but amazingly it started off it's internal battery (which I'd rejected from my Discovery two years ago!)   :ddb: :ddb:

So a bit of manoeuvring reversing it into position set up the hoses, connected the air impact wrench, stuck it on a nut, pulled the trigger - NOTHING - no rotation, just air passing straight through the tool  :bang: A few choice words and I dug out my baby 1/2" air impact wrench, but it just hasn't got the guts for the job.

OK take a break and investigate the 1" drive wrench.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 30, 2016, 07:16:58 AM
Obviously the air motor isn't turning, could just be frozen grease in the bearings as it is stored in an unheated workshop. I pulled the handle end off and exposed the bearing - sure the grease was stiff but not that stiff. Put it back together and tried to pull off the impact end. Four cap screws with 6 mm allen sockets - three came off fine but undoing the fourth one my allen wrench sheared off leaving a stub in the hex flush with the top  :bang:

So a bit of improvisation - I drilled through the broken bit with a cobalt drill (I love cobalt drills) and screwed a self tapping screw in that acted as an extractor and pushed the stub out - hooray  :clap:

OK so now the impact end is exposed - the rotor that holds the weights that give the impact was seized solid - however grasping it and turning it firmly freed it off - could have been stiff grease, or possibly a bit of rust (though non apparent) but now it's turning freely so shove it all back together and get on with things. :ddb:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on November 30, 2016, 07:24:31 AM
Now those bolts don't stand a chance - however if ever there was a case for a 'tool balancer' this is one - that impact gun is unbelievably heavy, and really needs two hands but how do you hold the spanner on the other side  :scratch:

Most bolts came out easily, but with some at the top and bottom the socket just spun - then it dawned on me - they probably loosely bolted the panels together at the top and bottom, then went round stuffing bolts in the holes. They must have used a different box of bolts for these two operations - the hex sizes are different  :bang:

So having taken out about 45 bolts I'm taking a break for lunch and seeking out a smaller socket. Trouble is the 1" to 3/4" to 1/2" conversions for the square drive - not sure what I have that will fit - a job for after lunch.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: howsitwork? on December 28, 2016, 06:30:03 PM
Andrew

hope by now you've gathered in all your nuts? :lol:

Given the weather here ( 10c on Christmas day ???) I assume you have made progress and are contemplating a crater?? I'll just be glad of some relaxation time in January. People keep being ill , it's damn inconvenient at times. Still not in on duty Christmas, Boxing or New Years day this year ( woopie!).

I take my hat off to your enthusiasm and skill in this :beer:.

 Hope the piggies had a good Christmas? The ones that assisted my turkey were excellent but, as I'm in Thirsk, I doubt they're yours?

Have a successful 2017 and keep us updated.

Ian
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: John Stevenson on December 28, 2016, 07:22:08 PM
There are bowl turners who would probably die for a piece of root like that! I don't know how good hawthorn is to turn, but it must be interesting in there! Dried a bit, pressure washed and sawn up could make somebody very happ!

All the best, Matthew.

If they have to collect it and do some work it will still be there in 10 years time.

Andrew,
Drill three series of  holes, one in each stump with a forstner bit and open them out., you want about 4 -5" diameter and same deep.
Keep tipping a bit of red diesel in for a couple of months and then fire it up.

Got rid of a big fir root that way.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on December 29, 2016, 02:57:06 AM
Thanks Ian and John. Yes stumps are out leaving a massive crater, tank panels are largely unbolted (anyone want a bucket of 5/8 UNC bolts / nuts about 1 1/2 inches long - must be nearly 20 kgs)

Just waiting for Darren the shed builder to get his act together.

Things slightly complicated this end, what with Christmas, sons wedding on the 30th, New Year, and wife flying out to Texas for a couple of weeks to stay with other son, and me left with quite a bit of animal care. I don't see much being done until the second half of January.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: howsitwork? on December 29, 2016, 04:36:43 PM
Andrew

hope wedding goes well. :clap: :clap: :clap:

Wife away for couple of weeks- I sense a toolinvesting opportunity here...... :D

Have a successful 2017 and hope all goes well for tomorrow :med:

Ian
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Jo on December 30, 2016, 04:16:22 AM

Wife away for couple of weeks- I sense a toolinvesting opportunity here...... :D

Careful you'll get caught  :bugeye:

She may not spot the extra items in the shed but if she is responsible for the accounts :wack: 

Jo
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: tom osselton on December 30, 2016, 05:23:18 PM
I'd try " But Honey it is for the greater good! "
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: howsitwork? on December 31, 2016, 06:34:52 PM
I'd try paying cash !!! :D :D

Happy New Year one and all. :beer:

Ian
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on January 01, 2017, 03:45:09 AM
I've never had a problem 'importing' things for the workshop. She barely notices what I'm doing and certainly hasn't a clue about my 'projects'. It often makes me smile to think that the Madmodders around the world know what I'm doing, but not 'Er Indoors' !

Happy New Year everyone.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 07, 2017, 06:50:41 AM
Well ten steps backwards and two forwards  :bugeye:

My 'shed builder' has been rather overwhelmed with work - in fairness it's fixing machinery needed for the season and he's prioritising that over what in actual fact isn't a life or death project. He's confident he'll have it up and workable by the autmn.

But to get things moving forward, Pete had very kindly offered his expertise breaking up the slab that the tank is sitting on, so that the individual 4 foot square panels can be released and scrapped. They were originally sat on the slab, bolted together, then more concrete poured round them to make it waterproof, so the concrete has to be broken to release the panels.

I understand that he is bringing a remotely operated electrical robot concrete breaker tomorrow - so this should be fun :ddb:

But before he comes I needed to expose the outside of the tank all round so that the slab on both sides of the panels can be accessed, and as there are water and electrical services running beside the tank, expose them so that they can be avoided.

First I went down the west side of the tank, mainly by shovel, exposing the water and 415v 3 phase that rests on the slab:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 07, 2017, 06:55:59 AM
Then I needed to remove a very heavy 6" cast iron pipe that originally was the input to the tank. This was in the way of getting the JCB803 down that side of the tank to expose the panels.

I was fortunate in that there was a flange / bolts / flange compression joint 8 foot away from the tank, that I was able to cut the bolts on and release the pipe. It was then hauled away by JCB.

This then let me get at the two remaining sides that needed trenching out to expose the panels
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 07, 2017, 07:00:15 AM
Then it was 'Just' a case of trenching down the two remaining sides. One side is adjacent to a stream so it was a bit long winded having to build up safe platforms for the digger to prevent it (and me  :bugeye:) going into the stream. On the other side I had to concentrate on NOT going through the water and mains cables  :clap:

Then a quick clean up and I think things are ready for concrete breaking  :scratch:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on April 07, 2017, 08:46:21 AM
All of those bolts!

Good luck! Matthew.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on April 08, 2017, 01:38:41 AM
Yippee,
        The saga continues Andrew. I had forgotten this was on the reading list. As usual, I think there will be much to report if your track record so far continues.
I, along with many others I assume look forward to the next chapter.
Good luck with the demolition and future build.
John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 08, 2017, 04:12:36 PM
Well the splendid Mr Pete turned up today as promised with a REALLY superb toy. Essentially a tracked machine with hydraulic arm and an enormous pecker on the end (no naughty comments in the back please )

Made by Brokk and driven by a 32 amp 415v 3 phase supply its used for demolition where keeping the operator away from the action is a sensible safety precaution.

In my case the operator was Pete, and how obviously skilled he is, making short work of demolishing the 20 panels of the tank - breaking them out of the embedded concrete. His years of experience certainly shone through.We had one setback, with a burst hydraulic hose, but cool as a cucumber he got a spare from his van, and performed the complicated task of threading it though the innards or the machine, restoring service.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 08, 2017, 04:15:11 PM
As the vibration of the breaker shook the tank, it was obvious that it was in a terrible unusable state - no great loss!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on April 08, 2017, 04:18:20 PM
That is a cool "game boy"!

Cheers, Matthew
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 08, 2017, 04:20:28 PM
What was amusing was the casual ease with which Pete got the machine exactly where he wanted it, even reaching over the walls of the tank to break out concrete on the far side - all from a radio controlled console.

He even managed to get the chisel is just the right spot to shear off the bolts that I couldn't undo as their hexagonal heads were too rusty for a socket to grip
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 08, 2017, 04:24:22 PM
We ended what was a long day for Pete (as he's been working in his day job this morning! ) with all the panels down and freed from their incarceration in a cement overcoat  :lol:

After he'd left, I cleared the panels away from the slab with the JCB803 (no pictures as it was pitch dark) ready for tomorrow, when bless him he's coming back to have a go at  breaking the slab.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PK on April 08, 2017, 09:03:12 PM
It's inspiring to watch great operators. I bet he could do the dishes with that thing if he had to!
PK
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on April 09, 2017, 01:37:48 AM
Yeah,
      It's marvelous to watch a skilled operator and his machine in action. Honking great chisel located with precision on a rusty bolt head and --- Wham, all done.
     Similar thing, I watched the tiler putting tiles on our kitchen wall some years back. It was as though he was dealing cards, job done, straight lines and equal spacing without any gizmos to aid. Just stood back every so often, looked, and if necessary nudged the odd tile into line.
     Me, I would still be trying to get them right.
John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on April 09, 2017, 02:18:45 AM
Watching a truly skilled JCB driver is like watching a ballet in machinery.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 09, 2017, 03:22:21 AM
Well don't watch me on the JCB803  :clap:

I put it down to my lack of 3D vision, (*) but I expect a lot of it is that I'm not in the saddle that often.

(* I'm a Cyclops)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 09, 2017, 04:24:28 AM
The light of a new dawn has let me see the destruction we caused yesterday  :thumbup:

A large clear area with no tank and a pile of scrap - very good progress and something I've wanted to do since we moved here ten years ago.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 09, 2017, 10:42:54 AM
So this morning Pete came back to continue breaking up the slab. It proved remarkably slow going, so we decided to punch drainage holes in it on a one metre matrix to get the job done in a sensible timescale.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 09, 2017, 10:46:10 AM
While he was doing the breaking I took a 'clean up skim' off his Camelback Straight Edge, as it was slightly rounded and would take a long time to hand scrape back. Just a few thou but much faster to remove the bulk of the error on the milling machine for him to finish off hand scraping ready for use in the Scraping Class in December.

Not the best casting in the world, with a few small blow holes in line with the re-inforcing web, probably due to shrinkage during solidification when it was cast. But fully functional.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 09, 2017, 10:52:12 AM
On the way back to load the machine into his van, he was waylayed by the chicken, who wanted the concrete surrounding a rotten gate post broken out.  :lol:

To Pete a great big thank you for an excellent job  :thumbup: :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on April 09, 2017, 12:08:47 PM
Yeah that concrete was a lot tougher than the surface finish led you to believe. Some spots were a bit soft but others were very hard. Lot of flint in it.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: DaveS on April 10, 2017, 04:52:03 PM
Knowing that you inherited the old tank I was wondering if you know what its original purpose was for?  Would have made an ideal test bed for a small hovercraft. :nrocks:

Dave
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 10, 2017, 05:07:35 PM
The farm was originally owned by Hastings Water Board, and it's part of their infrastructure last used in the early 1960's - water was settled then pumped out for treatment.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 15, 2017, 02:16:07 PM
No progress on Mr Shed Builder, however one thing that has to happen before the frame goes up, is to trim an oak tree that juts out over the site. Oddly this tree has previously been trimmed back on the west side  by a previous owner - this is convenient as it's where the containers are, but the tree has been left rather lop sided.

Now spring being here the tree is coming into bud, and the pruning needs to happen before it's in full leaf.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 15, 2017, 02:18:39 PM
Fortunately I rent some land to a girl who keeps her pigs on it, and it so happens that her partner is a tree surgeon, so today he came along and did the fell deed.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 15, 2017, 02:20:33 PM
Overall it gives the tree a much more balanced appearance, and I think it's now clear of where the Tractor Shed will hopefully grow later in the year.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 15, 2017, 02:24:06 PM
So it looks like I now need to have another big bonfire - but I'll have to time that to co-incide with the Holiday Cottages being vaccant - not fair to smoke them out  :bugeye:

One side benefit is that it provided a few days of winter fuel, but probably not until winter 2019, as oak takes a long time to season.  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Jo on April 15, 2017, 02:38:18 PM
Nasty weed, chop it down quick..... I made that mistake about 18 years ago and felt sorry for an Oak that was less that 3m from where my new garage was being built   :palm:

13 years later it threw a limb through the roof  :bang: not to mention the constant moss it encouraged to grow all over the place, leaves in the gutter/garage, etc, etc.

Made quiet a bang when the trunk fell over, the root was fun to dig out and drop into the hole... still burning the wood for the house heating 4 years later :thumbup:

Jo

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 15, 2017, 02:46:03 PM
We don't have many 'proper' trees on the farm - I'm loath to hack away at any. This particular Oak was absolutely festooned in Ivy when we bought the place. I cut through Ivy stems thicker than my wrist all round the trunk about 12" off the ground. This killed the Ivy, and part of today's job was to pull the now very dry and brittle Ivy out of the Oak - there is a huge pile of it, and it'll make good kindling to burn the 'tops' when I can have my bonfire   :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on May 23, 2017, 07:12:45 AM
Well at last just a tiny weenie little bit of progress. Final absolute location now fixed - we've moved it a bit over to the south and squared it up to the yard, as although this reduces the little patch of grass to something approaching zero, it means importing far less infill.

Net result is that of the eleven RSJ uprights comprising the frame, nine will sit on concrete pads poured into excavated holes, and two will sit on concrete pads poured in form work and sitting on the remains of the original base of the tank. So for these last two I've made a pair of 750 mm square by 1 metre deep shuttering boxes. When they've been filled and the concrete set, the form work will be removed and the resulting concrete blocks will be buried in hardcore.

(The other nine pads will be the same 1 metre deep by 750 square, but poured into excavated holes)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Spurry on May 23, 2017, 07:45:53 AM
Andrew
Do you not have to account for the retaining bolts when you pour the feet? Or will they just be drilled afterwards. Perhaps you have a bit better ground than we had, as our cubes had to be 1m sided.
Pete
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on May 23, 2017, 07:46:23 AM
Andrew, do you have a pallet banding set up? It might be a good idea to band top middle and bottom to reinforce!

Cheers, Matthew.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on May 23, 2017, 12:45:08 PM
Yes Matthew that had occurred to me as there will be lots of spreading force  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on May 23, 2017, 12:50:04 PM
1300kg of concrete in those boxes. On site they would be framed by 3 rows of 4x2 on the outside, top, middle and bottom. Also need fixing down.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on May 24, 2017, 09:17:56 AM
Pete is of course quite right, and rather than risk them blowing out I sacrificed a pile of cribbing timber, slicing it up on the Dominion saw bench and fitted braces.

I suspect that if the concrete was reasonably dry it would have been fine, but better safe than sorry
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 22, 2017, 03:01:06 PM
Well at LONG LAST work has started late today. Should have been first cock crow yesterday but the ground plan got lost in the post  :bang: Should have been first thing this morning but Darren got called away to an emergency repair  :bang:

... But today at about 4 pm he turned up with his six ton digger and started shifting earth to get some levels and work out how much the land needs building up. Quick panic series of phone calls when we work out we need an extra three eight wheeler 'roll on roll off' lorries full of fill before putting down the 300 mm of hardcore that will be under the 150 mm of concrete That's a BIG pile of fill, but as luck would have it, a friend was working on a site where they are pulling it out and could bring it in tomorrow - phew (if it all works out)

Tomorrow Darren has to repair a bale crusher on his way over here but expects to get a fair bit done - me, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed  :scratch:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: DaveS on June 23, 2017, 04:52:46 AM
Good to see things underway,  I've got a couple of barrow loads of rubble, but I'm not going to push them all the way to you even with a following wind :lol:
Do the pigs stress out with the noise or just carry on eating?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 23, 2017, 10:30:01 AM
Dave I need a few million of your wheelbarrow fulls !

So its mid afternoon day 2 and so far only one load of subsoil, and that was a grab lorry not a ro-ro  :bang: Getting desperate for sub soil - have put feelers out but no more bites yet. I did chat up the grab lorry driver and he brought a load of top soil which we will stockpile on the field ready for finishing off, and he's bringing me another load (16 cu M ) of top soil on Monday - but until we can find some subsoil things are going to slow down.

I went off and bought 42 metres of 110 mm underground drain pipe. A bit will actually be used as drains, but the majority is duct work under the building for water and electrics, and also a run side to side to give me a cable duct for internal wiring .

We pulled out the original 6" cast iron pipe that brought water in to the tank that was previously where we're building - blooming heavy - about 24 foot of it now cut in two to be slightly more manageable.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 23, 2017, 12:01:32 PM
Well much against my expectations I got another load of sub soil in this afternoon, and this time a very nicely packed Ro-Ro, the driver reckoned he was a good 5 ton over weight  :bugeye:

Slightly bigger pile than last time. But it'll be next week before any more comes in I think
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: DMIOM on June 23, 2017, 04:07:28 PM
......I went off and bought 42 metres of 110 mm underground drain pipe. A bit will actually be used as drains, but the majority is duct work under the building for water and electrics, and also a run side to side to give me a cable duct for internal wiring........

Andrew,

Not sure if its relevant, but I have a run of 4" plastic field drain as a conduit, it's the sort where they punched rectangular slots (and left some 'hanging chads' inside). The problem is that it leaves lots of sharp bits/edges - not too bad if its a straight run, or you're pulling a decently armoured cable; but if it is a curved run, it can chafe insulation (e.g. on co-ax) and I found my draw-rope - twisted blue polyprop - really did catch.

Dave
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 23, 2017, 06:28:25 PM
This is your standard brown drain pipe Dave that you might have taking the outfall from your loo, so smooth as a babies bottom inside 👍

I've been promised another two loads of subsoil Saturday morning, so things are looking up  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 24, 2017, 08:29:59 AM
So sure enough two more eight wheeler grab lorries of subsoil (dry clay and sand stone mainly) came in this morning creating a small mountain range with the one load that came in late yesterday afternoon.

A quick phone call to Darren got him back out to spread it and track it in - nice steel tracks on that digger of his  :thumbup:

But this shows just how much more is going to be needed - probably at least another six wagon loads  :bugeye: Scrabbling about to find it at the moment. I have tracked a chap down who has an accumulated pile in his yard that he wants rid of, but his lorry is off the road until Tuesday at the earliest with a bust gearbox  :bang:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on June 24, 2017, 02:10:40 PM
It's cleaned that area up nicely :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 24, 2017, 04:56:54 PM
Yes Pete it's beginning to take shape, but a huge amount of fill still needs to go in to bring the site up level before any construction can take place
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on June 25, 2017, 01:10:45 AM
I suppose you considered digging the high end and plonking that at the low end? Bit late now I guess and perhaps that would put the entry into your (eventual) new workshop either down a ramp, or up a ramp.
 :Doh:  Seems I have just answered my own suggestion, the way you are proceeding should have the entry level with the existing land. 
Good luck finding the fill.
John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 25, 2017, 02:49:00 AM
Can't do that John, as the high end is the level of the farm yard, so if we scraped off there there would be a drop into the shed  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on June 26, 2017, 03:08:56 AM
Yes Andrew,
          I did actually work that out during typing my brainwave and thought I had commented accordingly. (Maybe not clearly though.) 
      Guess you will need a fair amount of consolidation of the fill as well or you could get subsidence in the floor.
   Anyway, it will all be good eventually. You do seem to have an interesting time with all that has happened up to now.
Regards,
John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 27, 2017, 10:41:39 AM
Another day and not a huge amount happening. One load of rather mixed 'subsoil' came in and was actually a good third bits of concrete. This had to be strategically placed so not to be where we are digging holes for the stanchion pads, and then Darren tracked it in - a little bit of progress but not much.

We also pulled out an old broken down fence run (in the distance in the first picture) where undergrowth has taken over a bit and there was a good eight or ten foot of 'lost ground' between what will be the back of the shed and the bank of the stream that had been lost over the years. I've arranged for Beau (boyfriend of one of my ground tenants) to come in some time in the next day or two to cut back the scrub and underwood, and we'll then have a bit more room to manoeuvre while building,

Also had another eight wheeler load of 'topsoil' in - this time quite a bit of brick in it - so that makes four darn great mounds in the field awaiting landscaping when the barn is finished. (it looks like three loads in the picture due to the camera angle)

Hopefully they resume digging sub soil tomorrow and we'll get a few more loads in - they've been pouring concrete today on that site so lorry movements were banned.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 28, 2017, 01:18:07 AM
Major frustration today.

 Yesterday I found a new source of subsoil quite locally and arranged for a series of loads to come in. :thumbup:

Overnight it's been teeming down with rain, it's still going hard now and I'm going to have to cancel the lorries or everything will get churned up.  :bang:

(Up early as we had a power cut at 5 am )
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 28, 2017, 03:02:56 AM
And to add to my joy it seems that the power cut continues - total loss of two phases and the third phase down to 80 volts  :bugeye: (Should be 245 for our American friends who might think 115 V )

It seems that quite a bit of stuff like my internet router and most of the hubs are limping on, but the electric gate is now in override mode. Kitchen LED lights, half are working and the other aren't ! Nor is the private sewage system that continuously has a motor churning away, so legs crossed for a bit !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PekkaNF on June 28, 2017, 03:19:07 AM
Loss of phase is a bugger...no motors then and the ones are on might burn (latest on next start).

Did you have a generator? And a outhouse? Must have BU!

Hope the power is sorted out ASAP.

Pekka
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 28, 2017, 03:35:26 AM
Just had a call from UK Power Networks to say they are temporarily switching 120 customers to another HV feed - and sure enough the 80 supply went off, then back on at 230 volts  :thumbup:

All PC's seem to have survived - critical ones are on UPS's - and even the sewage plant and front gate don't seem to have suffered :clap:

We have two couples in the holiday cottages and hopefully they've been oblivious to all this.

... still raining though !

Of course when they find the overhead cable fault and fix it, they will switch us back . . let's hope that flicker goes smoothly  :zap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: chipenter on June 28, 2017, 03:15:18 PM
 My friend mesured 1/2" of rain on his weather station last hight hear in Ashford .
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 28, 2017, 03:19:50 PM
Today after the power cut excitement I'd had three small loads of hardcore in, and we now have pretty well enough, although another couple are expected tomorrow.

Well the end of a stressful day brought another Ro-Ro eight wheeler lorry full of subsoil  :thumbup:

Only problem was it wouldn't slide out of the skip - just sat there. Apparently the skip was delivered yesterday, got a fair amount of water in it, and although the dug subsoil was fairly dry the bottom layer stuck fast. 'Badger' the Ro-Ro driver used every trick in his arsenal jerking the body of the skip this way and that to try and move it, but it stuck fast. Trouble is these things are far from stable side to side when in the up position  :bugeye:

Fortunately Darren wasn't too far away and was able to come in and rescue the situation with his six ton excavator

Having got the Ro-Ro out of the claggy, Darren went on to spread the one load about and track it in, and sink a few beers with me  :beer:

Weather looking slightly better tomorrow and a few more loads of subsoil are expected  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 28, 2017, 03:24:36 PM
My friend mesured 1/2" of rain on his weather station last hight hear in Ashford .

Yes I can easily believe that, it absolutely teemed down here over night and was still going strong at 5:30 when I got up
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on June 29, 2017, 01:28:57 AM
Golly Andrew, have you walked under a ladder, run over a cat, broken a mirror or summat?  :lol:
What an adventurous life you lead without leaving your own bit of turf too!
    Hopefully things will go way more smoothly from now on.
I for one look forward to an interesting read from your posts.
 Regards,
John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 29, 2017, 09:28:24 AM
Today the rain eased off considerably - more a very light drizzle barely needing a coat  :thumbup:

First load of hardcore arrived as I was mucking out, so about 07:15, and the second just before lunch time, so I think we now have sufficient hard core.

9 am brought the first load of subsoil of the day, and the driver would only tip it at the edge of the pad - don't entirely blame him as it was wet.

New source of top soil arrived at about 10 am with Gary, an owner driver, and did it show in his common sense and capability  :bow: The others have been employees and far less helpful. I suggested he used his grab to put some drier stuff over the puddles and run it over that, and he was able to get right to the back with very little mess. He then brought in a further two loads, again sensibly placed

Best day yet with four loads in - I have Darren booked for 3 pm to level and track it, and then we can get a good idea how much more we need. Total so far is eight eight wheeler loads of sub soil. I've another two booked for tomorrow morning and a third for the afternoon if the weather holds  :med:

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 29, 2017, 03:11:47 PM
So true to his word Darren returned this afternoon to push those four loads about and track them in. It's gone down nice and tightly. Beau came and cleared away the scrub to give him a bit more room to maneuver

Now that lot's flattened down we could make a reasonable guess at how much more we need, it seems probably another four  :bugeye:

So Gary the independent driver is bringing three more, hopefully in the morning in his eight wheeler grab lorry, and I've an eight wheeler Ro-Ro lined up for the afternoon.

Hopefully that lot will bring us up to level (it will be a total of twelve lorry loads!) and we can move on to the next phase.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: howsitwork? on June 29, 2017, 05:13:23 PM
Andrew

I assume your done the water divining  trick on the area ? Don't want the alps to develop a water feature do you?

That's a lot of material your putting down! Hope the weekend goes well. Monsoon here yesterday so river is well up.

Regards Ian
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 29, 2017, 05:23:24 PM
I've no doubt all that basically semi-dry clay will shrink a bit. I once lived in a house in Bedfordshire where the garden was solid clay. In dry summers you could literally lose a tennis ball down the cracks in the lawn, yet later in the year there was no sign of it.

Significant weight in all those loads - perhaps 20 ton per  load 12 subsoil, 4 topsoil and maybe the equivelent of two hardcore so 20 x 18 = 360 tons  :bugeye:

Might make a local depression in the earths crust  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on June 30, 2017, 05:13:05 AM
I thought, looking at the photos of your sub-soil, that it was probably Wealden Greensand.  One of my other vices is microscopy, majoring on sand, and I was working up courage to request a sample.  (A 35 mm film canister is about the right size.)

It used to be when any of the Utilities were digging a hole in the road hereabouts, one member of the crew would be appointed look-out to warn them in case I happened into the vicinity!
   :lol:  :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 30, 2017, 06:03:50 AM
Pete,

It's pretty clayey - I'll post you a sample for your delight and delectation :)

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 30, 2017, 11:01:37 AM
Pete - envelope awaiting posting  :thumbup:

So today brought four more eight wheeler loads of 'subsoil', though perhaps not quite as 'sub' as I'd have liked - there's a bit of topsoil in with it.

Hopefully this is the final delivery and we have enough - I sincerely hope so - thankfully this lot were buckshee as the hauliers save masses on dumping fees and in most circumstances I could charge for them to bring it in. However as this was a last minute rush to get the materials their saving was their bait as well  :clap:

Again Darren is intending to come back this evening and spread it around, but at the moment the "Sedlescombe Alps" have returned like giant mole hills - as soon as you move them they re-appear  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on June 30, 2017, 11:16:16 AM
Pete - envelope awaiting posting  :thumbup:

So today brought four more eight wheeler loads of 'subsoil', though perhaps not quite as 'sub' as I'd have liked - there's a bit of topsoil in with it.


It's looks a bit brown! I seem to remember that the tractor shed was scheduled for birthday festivities, is it going to be for tractor scraping too?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on June 30, 2017, 11:18:08 AM
Pete,

It's pretty clayey - I'll post you a sample for your delight and delectation :)

Andrew,

With all that you've got to do, it's very good of you to take the time to do that, I'm very grateful.   :clap:   :thumbup:   :clap:   :thumbup:   :clap:   :thumbup: 

Actually, after I'd pressed the 'post' button, the thought came to me that the next post would be from Ade saying I ought to come and collect it, remembering to bring a shovel and wellies!! 
Would have been no less than I deserved!   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 30, 2017, 11:42:32 AM
Matthew, Daren is tracking it in as I type this, and surprisingly as it is squashed and tracked it looks far more clay like than in the piles 
:scratch:

Hopefully it will be up and functioning for the December scraping class, but as it's unheated it may or may not be suitable. Pete Rimmer and I had talked of getting space heaters in, but they don't make for the most pleasant working environment, and you don't want precision bits and bobs going up and down in temperature too much anyway when working to tenths of a thou.

PeteW, you'd be very welcome to come and visit, but probably post is easier for you
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on June 30, 2017, 11:58:02 AM
So we'll be quit close together in December!
 Are you going to insulate the Tractor shed, could make all the difference!
 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 30, 2017, 12:23:37 PM
No, it's a Tractor Shed NOT a workshop  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: NormanV on June 30, 2017, 02:30:38 PM
You are mollycoddling your tractors. Mine used to live outside and it always started.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on June 30, 2017, 03:01:20 PM
But it was too cold in the Falklands for your tractors to rust Norman  :lol:

So Darren has flattened out those last four loads, and we've been able to go over it with the laser level and concluded WE NEED ANOTHER LOAD

That'll make thirteen - lucky for some I suppose  :bang:

So Gary is delivering #13 at 08:00 Saturday morning, and the plan is to track it out and get some profiles up on Monday ready to sink the pits for the concrete pads in which hopefully will be poured in the coming week.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Jo on June 30, 2017, 03:05:14 PM
But it was too cold in the Falklands for your tractors to rust Norman  :lol:

Actually I suspect that any rust that attempted to form was blown off by the weather :coffee:

Jo
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: NormanV on June 30, 2017, 04:16:38 PM
"But it was too cold in the Falklands for your tractors to rust Norman  :lol:"
A popular misconception. If you check the climate you will find that although the Falklands are cooler than the UK they never get as cold. A lot windier though.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on June 30, 2017, 08:03:12 PM
No, it's a Tractor Shed NOT a workshop  :clap:

Well that's a bit clearer, you haven't said anything about what it's going to be like nor talked about anything beyond it being a new tractor shed, which could be a shed for a new tractor, which would surprise me! So a new tractor shed could be a euphemism for all kinds of things it could be insulated just to stop the temperature dropping too much at night! Any way, doesn't sound at all good for scraping in December!!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: vtsteam on June 30, 2017, 11:02:09 PM
Looking forward to seeing this new workshop.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 01, 2017, 02:15:55 AM
You'll all just have to wait and see ...... :lol:


As for me I'm just waiting for load #13 which is due in a few minutes
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 01, 2017, 03:51:35 AM
So load #13 has just arrived ready for Monday when work resumes.

Again rather top soily, but it only has to support the slab - the pads for the steelwork will go deep into the original ground.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on July 01, 2017, 05:24:46 AM

Actually, after I'd pressed the 'post' button, the thought came to me that the next post would be from Ade saying I ought to come and collect it, remembering to bring a shovel and wellies!! 
Would have been no less than I deserved!   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:

Haha! Damn, I missed my chance there, didn't I. Oops!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: howsitwork? on July 01, 2017, 03:19:23 PM
Does this mean that the scraping classes are actually just a cunning. Plan for you to save money on heating Andrew by having "healthy volunteers" working them selves up in to a lather and their body heat curing the concrete for the shed faster??? 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Or perhaps manual scraping. The spoil heap with shovels to get the general ide before you let them near anything too technical such as metal?

Looks good so far. Putting much mesh in to reinforce the floor to allow for the load of model engineere😉
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: tom osselton on July 01, 2017, 03:50:57 PM
Hmm in floor heating?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 01, 2017, 04:00:04 PM
Hmmm ..... chaps it REALLY is a tractor shed, with maybe the occasional barn dance when the need arises :)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PekkaNF on July 01, 2017, 06:21:25 PM
Barn daces are fine. As long as no Morris dacers are not allowed into premises!

Pekka
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 04, 2017, 02:54:59 AM
So yesterday afternoon Darren returned to spread load #13  and start forming the shape of the base. He sculpted the ramp that will be needed to gain access to the scrap of land behind the shed, battered all the edges and hollowed the centre of the site, building up and compacting the edges where the  pits will be sunk for the concrete pads for the steel work to sit on.

It's still slightly softer than we want, so later today he's bringing his twin vibrating roller to compact it some more before digging the pits.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on July 05, 2017, 02:19:21 AM
Seems like a real civil engineering joby this 'ere shed.
      Still, tractors need homes too. No need for aircon tho, just keep the rain and snow off em. Protection from the elements makes economic sense to me. Rust may be free but replacement of rust affected machines kinda ruins the play money account.
 
John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 06, 2017, 05:17:29 AM
Pete,

It's pretty clayey - I'll post you a sample for your delight and delectation :)
 

Hi there, Andrew,

Thank you for the envelope that arrived here in this morning's Post.  At least, most of it arrived!  Together with most (??) of the contents!
All enclosed in a polythene bag printed with Royal Mail's apologies.   :doh:   :doh:   :doh: 

I fear that I shall be unable to conduct a rigorous quantitative analysis as the integrity of the sample has been breached.
   :scratch:   :scratch:   :scratch:   :scratch:   :scratch:   :scratch: 

As soon as I can find a Windows 7 compatible software driver for our microscope camera (or soon thereafter) I'll post some photomicrographs. 

(But not hosted on Photobucket!)   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:   :lol: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 06, 2017, 08:01:15 AM
Hi there, again, Andrew,

I've re-read my previous post and realised that it's too much about damage in the Post and not enough about 'thank you'.  As I wrote in an earlier post, it's very kind of you to make time among all your projects and caring for your livestock and guests (not necessarily in that order!) to gather, pack and post the sample to indulge one of my hobby interests.  So, thank you very much.

 :mmr:   :mmr:   :mmr:

(Currently typing with difficulty and excluded from the workshop!  While tidying the workshop on Tuesday, heaving boxes of come_in_handium hither and yon, I've damaged my wrist.  The Minor Injuries Unit guy diagnosed tendonitis and gave me a wrist brace to wear.  My lovely but shy assistant has refused to feed me my breakfast muesli or to cut up my dinner!!!  On the plus side, I did find the ½" BSP tap which was the target of the tidy.)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 06, 2017, 12:03:47 PM
Pete, glad most of it arrived and I wish you well with your injuries - mend soon  :thumbup:

Talking of mending, Darren wasn't able to come as planned as his vibrating twin roller ceased vibrating on one drum - internal drive shaft sheared off that joined the hydraulic motor and the eccentric weight. However a bit of fetling and he came today .

The idea is to compact the periphery where the pits will be sunk for the concrete pads, but actually he went over the whole thing, and it has certainly made a difference.

Then he went round putting up the 'profiles' to give the building outline in string lines, to mark the centre of each vertical beam. As there is the possibility of rain in the next day or so, and as the concrete is ordered  for noon on Tuesday, he's going to return on Monday and dig the pits then, so that they are not left open too long.

Concrete coming from a firm called Woolycrete, which is appropriate as we had an unexpected lamb born last night by one of the Jacobs Tegs who shouldn't be breeding until next year - so I suppose that Harold the Ram is going to be done for child molesting  :clap:

What wasn't unexpected was that five bull calves arrived - a friend is short of grass and we have too much so here they are. This is the first time that there have been cattle here for probably twenty years  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on July 06, 2017, 01:45:23 PM
Nice to see your small workshop tractor shed progressing :) I thought you were going for a big building?  :lol:

Speaking of animals, you do at least have the perfect surname for a farmer: Oooh arrrrr Farrrrrmer Maaawson.  :thumbup: :beer:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: charadam on July 06, 2017, 01:50:52 PM
Andrew,

I'm curious about what class of deadweight roller you would need to give the same effect as the vibratory?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 06, 2017, 02:06:46 PM
Well the deadweight of that roller is about 3 tonnes but I reckon you can treble or even quadruple that for a vibrating roller
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: NormanV on July 06, 2017, 04:01:05 PM
I was once responsible (unqualified)for the casting of a reinforced concrete roof. I watched the man using a vibrator to compact the concrete. It still left voids, and it cracked, and I got the sack.
I won't accept that responsibility again!
At least there is nothing for your floor to fall on!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 06, 2017, 04:41:08 PM
I used to have two concrete vibrators.

One was an eccentric weight in a housing on the end of a long flexible drive driven by an electric motor. The other was pneumatic and had a reciprocating weight. Both were frighteningly effective.

You could fill a cavity to the brim with fairly wet concrete and start vibrating - it would drop the level to perhaps two-thirds. The resulting concrete was amazingly solid.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PK on July 06, 2017, 05:53:02 PM
I don't have any pics, But I once built a concrete vibrator for a guy making concrete tables and benchtops.
Nothing special about my work, a length of 1" stainless with a few bearings and an eccentric weight at  one end and an adapter to a big drill at the other.

His work was pretty impressive though, http://www.mapleart.net.au/ChrisMaple/
He used massive wooden molds with many sash clamps, and his workshop was  like a chem lab for concrete when he was trying out different mixes to get the effects....

All of which is particularly relevant to your tractor shed Andrew. So pay attention..
 :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on July 06, 2017, 06:02:03 PM
A 3 tonne vibro roller will make ground easily firm enough to use as a road. Usual spec for a piling mat is roll every 300mm but that's gotta ho!d a 60 ton piling rig - and pass a plate test which is something you don't wanna fail coz you'll have to dig it all out and do it again.

I've also seen people pop a shutter by over-hunting a vibrating poker. It can build up a lot of pressure and lift the shutter up if it's not pinned down enough or simply burst it if it's not built sturdily enough.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 07, 2017, 12:37:51 PM
So as the structural bits are on hold until the concrete is poured hopefully on Tuesday, I thought that I had better get some of the infrastructure brought forward ready.

Between each of my buildings I have laid 110 mm underground drain pipes as ducting, and this has proved very useful over the years as bits have been added to telephone and Ethernet networks. My main workshop is connected to my Woodwork shop by such a duct, but it has never been used. As the Tractor Shed will derive it's services from the Woodwork Shop it was time to pull some cables through. Already it was connected to water and compressed air via 25 mm blue MDPE pipe, and had a heavyish 3 phase feed, all of which were laid in a separate trench when the building was built. But I want Ethernet in the Tractor Shed so that wired security cameras can be put up, and while I was at it I may as well pull a telephone cable through.

Each end of most of these inter-building ducts are terminated in a plastic box housing a Cat5 (or 6) Patch Panel and at least one Krone telephone connection block. Several have an adjacent ethernet hub to fan out to local connections.

So I pulled through a 6 pair telephone cable and two Cat 5e ethernet cables, leaving a pull through rope in the duct for next time.

While I was about it, I wired in an extra socket close to the termination cabinet, ready for the associated hub, which this time is so small it will fit in the cabinet itself - far neater.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 07, 2017, 01:00:13 PM
Then I wired up a double Ethernet socket placed close to where I want a camera pointing at the building works. The idea is that one of the two Cat5e cables coming from the main workshop will be patched through to the Tractor Shed, and the other feeds the Hub which services local needs like this camera.

Having run basic tests on the wiring using my handy two part cable tester I then crammed in the tiny hub and patched things ready for the camera.

From the Woodwork Shop there is a 4" corrugated duct going under the rammed base for the Tractor Shed. This will be intercepted when the concrete pads have gone off, and brought up via large radius bends into the shed itself. This will take the full works (Water & Air in 25 mm MDPE, a 50 amp 3 phase feed, and 6 pair telephone cable and two Cat5E ethernet cables

So the next job is to prepare the cabinet to terminate the start of this duct in the workshop. Anything further will have to wait until the shed is up.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 07, 2017, 03:16:15 PM
Hi there, Andrew,

When I last posted I hadn't actually opened the soil sample paper envelope.  When I did so, I was pleased to discover that your inner plastic bag was un-breached.  There was some material in the Royal Mail outer bag and in the paper envelope but it didn't seem to have come from the main sample.

I had a quick look (Mk 1 eyeball, no microscope) and my first impression is that the sample is very fine-grained.  The standard definition of 'sand' is that sand particle sizes range from 1/16 mm up to 2 mm.  I think the particle size in your sample is toward the bottom end of that range.  (2 mm and above is gravel while < 1/16 mm is 'silt' or clay.)

That's all I've done on that topic today - I've been preoccupied with trying to remember where I saw the post from someone wanting a redundant surface plate.
Maybe I dreamed it!!!   :scratch:   :bang:   :scratch:   :bang:   :scratch:   :bang:   
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: philf on July 07, 2017, 03:28:31 PM

That's all I've done on that topic today - I've been preoccupied with trying to remember where I saw the post from someone wanting a redundant surface plate.
Maybe I dreamed it!!!   :scratch:   :bang:   :scratch:   :bang:   :scratch:   :bang:


Pete,

See the last post in:

http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,12186.msg144933.html#msg144933 (http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,12186.msg144933.html#msg144933)

Phil.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 07, 2017, 04:04:36 PM
Pete don't worry about loosing your marbles, I had an encounter with BT today that at least confirmed that I've retained mine.

I got an email from them saying that my 'Broadband discount' was coming to an end, so I tried to log on to the BT site to see what the discount was, but couldn't. No paper bills as they went paperless so no joy there, so I went to my bank account to at least find what I was paying, and found that they have been DD'ing £98.45 every month since September.  :bugeye: Looked on the web, saw I should be paying around £30 for unlimited calls and broadband, so called them and poked them with a stick. Ah yes there's an accounting error - you have a credit of £377. Well pay it back says I - no they say we can only pay £220 back  :bang: This went down like a lead balloon and did wonders for my temper. Official complaint, then I get put though to 'Account Retention' who say they can do me a renewal for £27.99 pm for a 12 month contract. OK says I. Complaints department rings up this afternoon to confirm complaint closed (I've had the refund) and new account starting at £37.99 per month. No says I that WASN'T what was agreed, it was  £27.99. Oh no we had it in 'Emma's Notes on our system' and that's what she says was agreed. No problem says I, you say you record all calls, play it back  :ddb:

Chap rings back with his tail between his legs and has to agree that my memory is better than their system - there IS a god  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on July 08, 2017, 02:19:02 AM
Good for you Andrew, a win for the consumer at last.
      You just demonstrated why I will not sign up to any DD (Direct Debit). Don't trust anyone to not mess up or worse, rip me off. I fight to retain paper billing too, electronic stuff way easier to lose - up in the ether someplace? OR my very vigilant spam filter may gobble it.
     Hope the rest of the build goes smoothly. (I was going to say swimmingly) but given the "fun" so far thought better of it.

John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 08, 2017, 04:21:09 AM

That's all I've done on that topic today - I've been preoccupied with trying to remember where I saw the post from someone wanting a redundant surface plate.
Maybe I dreamed it!!!   :scratch:   :bang:   :scratch:   :bang:   :scratch:   :bang:


Pete,

See the last post in:

http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,12186.msg144933.html#msg144933 (http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,12186.msg144933.html#msg144933)

Phil.
 

Thank you, Phil,   :nrocks:   :nrocks:   :nrocks: 

I've found the post and sent Andrew (Wildman) a PM. 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 08, 2017, 12:33:43 PM
Just a foot note on the BT saga: Because I couldn't log in to my account, their data security chap decided it was best to delete my existing account and for me to re-create another, for which I would need my BT account Number. Not having paper bills and not being able to log in, I did not have the account number so asked him for it. Rather snootily he said he couldn't give it over the 'phone but would post it to me. Well his letter arrived today WITH ALL BUT THE LAST FOUR DIGITS REPLACED BY Asterisk's  :bang:

As it happens the changes in my account prompted their system to put out one paper bill showing the £377 credit and this had the account number, but what planet are these people on  :scratch:

//rant mode off//

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: pycoed on July 08, 2017, 01:33:21 PM
I had a similar sort of issue with them: just keep an eye on how long your £27.99 rate lasts! Mine ( I negotiated a reduction because my BT Infinity install was only 1/2 the speed of my previous ADSL, so they had to revert me to ADSL which was somehow still slower than it had been )
They tried to tell me after 6 months that was as long as they promised the reduction. My recollection was that it was for the remaining length of the contract (another 12 months). Ended up telling them to stuff it & changed suppliers. BT then tried to stiff me for breaking the contract & levied a charge of IIRC £150 odd. My reply (copied to my MP) indicated that THEY had broken the contract by failing to provide the service promised. (Promised 17Mb/s : delivered 3 Mb/s). They finally agreed with me.
I moved to SSE with whom I have an electricity & Feed In Tariff account for my solar panels & they managed to get me up to 4 - 5 Mb/s if the wind is right.
BT are now a complete shower
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on July 09, 2017, 11:15:39 AM
 BT really are a bunch of useless CU next Tuesdays! Last Thursday my cousins phone went off, and as his mobile is also bust, he comes down to the workshop to get me to contact BT. His wife has a heart defibrilator/monito fitted, which uses the phone line to update it, check on the battery etc, so getting the phone back on is VERY urgent, as she has just started on some new, and quite iffy drugs, prior to an 8 hour operation, and they are actively monitoring her hourly...................They send an engineer, he says "there is a fault 13M from the test point, which is up that pole outside, but I can't ladder it, because it is cracked, has trees round it, and also carries the electricity cables, I will have to book the cherry picker for tuesday morning (3 days later). He also informs him that despite all the above being communicated to BT, the breakdown is listed on the enginners instructions as "low priority" . He also tells them he has been down to the exchange in the village, and despite him loggin previous requests for a major upgrade of the exchange, "it is still bodged up with bits of fag packet"The cherry picker doesnt show, and I ring again to complain, and again explain the urgency! We are promised a fix on thursday. I get a call from BT to tell me they have been, but the man can't climb the pole because............ etc etc! I tell him they knew all this a week ago, and he promises a fix for Friday. No one shows. I get a call Saturday morning asking me where the property is ( I am six miles away, at home) I give him directions, and my cousinn tells me he arrives, and starts the "I can't ladder the pole " story all over again! Cousin goes into meltdown, and he calls up a cherry picker, which arrives in 20 minutes, to find a very corroded wire in the box, which " fell to bits when I touched it" Ten minutes later , the phone is back on. and he gets a mass of panicked messages from the hospital asking if his wife is ok because they have lost the monitoring feed! I always thought that BT was a Communications company.......................silly old me! :doh:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 09, 2017, 01:42:22 PM
Phil, now that really is a major reason for complaint  :(

Today I finished the last link in the chain to get Telephones and Ethernet into the Tractor Shed, or at least close to a duct that will lead to it !

Just pulling cables into existing trunking, making up yet another termination box with a Telephone Krone block and a CAT5 Patch Panel, wiring them up and testing.


.... all I need now is to put a Tractor Shed on the end of that last duct  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 10, 2017, 12:31:20 PM
Concrete for the footings / pads comes tomorrow so today Darren returned to dig the approximately 1 metre cube holes for the base of each pillar.

Bulk excavated by digger, then 'mandraulically' by a Darren who is far fitter than I am  :bugeye: Time was when I could do that sort of thing but not now sadly  :scratch:

The 'Volumetric' concrete lorry carries 9 cu metres so we will probably be short and need to mix some ourselves
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on July 10, 2017, 01:30:18 PM
I don't do a lot of concreting but when I do I always come up short. Luckily for me it's always temporary works so not so critical. I bet that you'll be at least 2 cubes shy and have to bring another wagon in later. Those dug shutters always seem to swallow up more concrete.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 10, 2017, 02:10:06 PM
Hi there, Andrew,

The weather forecast for tomorrow for TN33 looks a bit soggy - especially the afternoon & evening.

I hope you get the concrete placed before the site gets too quagmire-ish!! 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 10, 2017, 02:27:16 PM
I don't do a lot of concreting but when I do I always come up short. Luckily for me it's always temporary works so not so critical. I bet that you'll be at least 2 cubes shy and have to bring another wagon in later. Those dug shutters always seem to swallow up more concrete.


Oh yes  :bang:

Mind you two of the pits landed on very solid material well before the 1 metre level so you never know ......  :med:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 10, 2017, 02:30:56 PM
Hi there, Andrew,

The weather forecast for tomorrow for TN33 looks a bit soggy - especially the afternoon & evening.

I hope you get the concrete placed before the site gets too quagmire-ish!!

Pete, so long as it holds off until we've poured it doesn't matter too much  - up till 3 pm it doesn't look too bad if Metcheck is to be believed, but so often there are last minute variations. Usually we get less than they forecast so you never know !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 11, 2017, 11:48:44 AM
Well the weather has been kind to me today - although a bit gloomy, we only had one heavy shower, and that was when most jobs were finished  :thumbup:

While waiting for the concrete lorry (that was booked for 12:00) Darren assembled the hold down bolts with their greased fibre cones and wooden spacer plate, all designed to allow a bit of movement for assembling the structural frame, after which the cones are eased out and the bolts grouted in with high strength cement grout.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 11, 2017, 11:58:50 AM
Then the concrete lorry arrived a good 45 minutes early  :thumbup:

He then proceeded to empty the entire contents of his Volumetric Concrete Lorry into our footings - best part of £1000 of concrete  :bugeye:

We had intended to hold back a cubic metre in the dumper truck for two of the less critical pads that we couldn't dig until the massively heavy lorry had withdrawn, for fear of collapse, but in the event we had run him dry of concrete :bang: Those remaining pads will be dug and mixed on site on Thursday (leaving a clear day for the first lot to go off) - this is no bad thing, as we need to mix some to set the 110 mm underground drain pipe that I'm using as a duct, in place before running in the hardcore for the floor.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 11, 2017, 12:06:18 PM
It was having done the bulk of the adjustments that we had a short downpour. Then we got a phone call to say that all the roof sheeting was on it's way and immanent.

A rather grumpy driver arrived with a massive lorry and attached fork lift with which he unloaded all the roof sheets and ridge fittings.

Ironic - we have the roof, but no floor or walls

...everything off loaded, it was fortunate that he had rear wheel steering or he would have had quite a problem turning around to escape back onto the road.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on July 11, 2017, 12:20:23 PM
... the massively heavy lorry....

Those lorries are much heavier than they look. The one we get in grosses about 40tons fully loaded.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Spurry on July 11, 2017, 12:27:38 PM
Having watched your build with great interest, it makes me feel that my jigs and set-up were ever so slightly OTT.  :) There was one stage where the steel erectors said the footings are not square, but when I told him they were correct to a millimetre, he quickly changed the subject and fitted the steel to suit. Hope all continues to go well for you.
Pete
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 12, 2017, 04:12:25 AM
Heavy rain all last night and this morning left the site as a flooded pond. I started trying to dig channels with a spade but it was hopeless, so steamed up the JCB803, fitted a 9" Clay Spade and scraped around forming drainage channels, and as the level went down joining the then separate ponds into the channel system.

Most water now run off and the rain is easing - photo's after the event so none of the big pond - sorry
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 12, 2017, 09:28:15 AM
It's a blessing in disguise!  The concrete won't get thirsty while it's curing.   :thumbup:   :thumbup:   :thumbup: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on July 12, 2017, 11:37:13 AM
As Pete says, good for the concrete! We have an anti-cyclone forecast for the w/end, it should get to you by the beginning of next week!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: vtsteam on July 12, 2017, 12:10:11 PM
Hope the main pad pour wasn't short -- sounds like it was just okay. I feel your pain Andrew, re. rain. One of the wettest years I can remember here, too. A natural result of building last year's cistern to combat that drought -- apologies to all. It's been continuously overflowing for a couple months now. And will likely see no use at all this year, unless desert conditions arrive for a month.

I also expect no power interruptions here this year, as I finally connected the Lister(oid) generator to the house with a transfer switch. Our little Generac 3600 rpm racket maker finally died -- or at least the AVR in it did. Had a 25% overvoltage situation last time I used it, popping older light bulbs and ruining the latest expensive full color spectrum LED replacements. Luckily no major appliances were hurt.

Anyway happy to have the Lister finally connected up. Praying for a (very brief) localized drought and power outtage now, in secret!  :loco:

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 12, 2017, 12:27:40 PM
Thanks for the comments chaps  :thumbup:

Steve the pour was pretty much exact - we had to scrape a bit off to get the wooden bolt spacers  to the correct height by laser level which is far better than having to sink bricks in it to bring the level up  :lol:

As it's footings the spec is only "C20" but judging by it's colour, and how well it's set I reckon it's a bit more than that. One of the advantages of the 'Volumetric' lorry over the drum type is that the concrete hasn't been mixing for perhaps an hour in transit to you, so it remains workable for longer. However the downside is that the mix is not quite as consistent, as the mixing worm is relatively short.

We are supposed to be sinking a trench to put in cable ducting tomorrow, but I fear that it will still be too sticky, despite a brief bit of sun this afternoon.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 13, 2017, 10:10:13 AM
Well today the ground is far too sticky for trenching - work suspended until probably Monday. Then we'll have to get a shimmy on, as I heard today that the rest of the building is being delivered on Thursday of next week  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 17, 2017, 03:35:33 PM
At last things have dried up so we could tackle the services ducts into, across, and out of  the Tractor Shed.

The intention is that we install a short 110mm duct from the Woodwork Shop into the Tractor Shed to bring in Water (25mm MDPE), Compressed-Air (25mm MDPE), Power (4 core 6mm csa SWA rated 52 amps) and two CAT5E Cables.

Another 110mm duct will cross the shed, emerging internally to act as a cross way for any future wiring, but also emerge on the far side of the shed terminating in what is actually a Manhole, but acting as a marshalling point.  From within the Tractor Shed will come Water (which feeds troughs for the Pigs and Chicken), and also a 4 core 6mm CSA SWA cable that feeds an electricity distribution point where I have 3 phase and single phase sockets. I will also bring two CAT5E cables down this duct for possible camera points.

To facilitate this I needed a 63 mm conduit joiner and a 110 mm to 63 mm coupler. The  conduit joiner is available commercially but not in time for what we were doing, and the 110 mm to 63 mm is not available as 110 is a plumbing size, and 63 mm is an electrical size  :bang:

So - 3D print them ! Well I did, one took 7 hours and the other 10 hours over night. All fine and dandy until I realised that I'd printed them in PLA which is biodegradable   :bang: Up early hours to print some more, this time in white Pet-G which is much more durable  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 17, 2017, 03:48:56 PM
We started at the Woodwork Shed, enlarging the existing 100 mm flexible conduit hole to 110 mm to take standard drain pipe, then trenching to what will be inside the Tractor Shed, terminating in a long radius bend upstand.

Then we trenched across the shed at an angle to aim for where ongoing water and electrical connections need to be coupled. This duct again starts with a long radius bend upstand, crosses the shed to a 'swept Tee' with an upstand, then continues to a manhole being used as a marshalling point. The electrical duct to the Electrical Distribution Point had to be extended, hence the 3D printed joiner, and the manhole body was suitable bedded on dry mix before all was back filled.

It then just remained to excavate for the last concrete pad that was omitted when the Volumetric Truck ran out of concrete - 2.5 Jumbo bags of ballast so a generous cubic metre of concrete.

Darren will return tomorrow after haymaking to shift all the hardcore onto site and start crushing it down.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: chipenter on July 18, 2017, 02:07:48 AM
What no hold downs ?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 18, 2017, 03:37:18 AM
No, that pad is just for the sides of the personnel door, and the stanchions will be held by chemical anchors. It's gone off nicely over night, and this morning I've cleared away all the sheep hurdles to give Darren good access to the not insignificant pile of hard core that he will be moving after lunch.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 19, 2017, 04:50:11 PM
Yesterday I lost Darren to haymaking - with imminent thunderstorms the hay had to be made !

However today he came equipped with even more toys - his Bobcat telehandler , and the grab for his 6 ton digger. The first job was to recover the trailer from the corner that it had been tucked into on day one - it was rather jammed in
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 19, 2017, 04:54:27 PM
Then we could start clearing all the brush and trees that had overground a triangle of land that was bigger than the garden in my first house  :ddb:

In the end three trailer loads were pulled out and stacked up in the field awaiting a bonfire at some time in the future
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 19, 2017, 04:58:29 PM
The next task was to scrape off the surface of the built up subsoil to the correct height to allow for 300 mm of hard core. The material removed was used to build up the stream bank behind the shed. This will need considerably more filling in days to come.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 19, 2017, 05:07:31 PM
Then at last we could start bringing in the hardcore from the pile in the field.

I fear that I will have to start buying in more hard core  :bugeye: So far it's all been FOC. I do have two small loads coming in tomorrow but we'll need much more than that.

Also tomorrow comes the rest of the structure of the Tractor Shed, all on a lorry, but no idea at what time - so today I've cleared the yard of all that can be cleared so we can unload and stack it all
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 19, 2017, 05:11:57 PM
Again, to free up space, Darren took his Fent Tractor and two trailers home - this involved some fancy loading using the Bobcat Telehandler - an impressive display of his skills
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on July 20, 2017, 02:22:48 AM
Hi Andrew,
      One of the simple pleasures in life, to me at least, is watching someone skilled in their work. One that sticks out to me was a tiler putting new tiles on our kitchen wall after the new stove, sink etc were installed.
      He was dealing the tiles onto the adhesive like playing cards. He would stop after 15 or so and sight along the wall to check for straightness and spacing. Very occasionally he would give one a gentle nudge then proceed.
      What he did in 45min would have been a day or so if I tackled it.
Good to see and read of your progress (adventures?),
John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Biggles on July 20, 2017, 10:06:09 AM
Glad your build is getting along despite the weather. I just wondered if you are breading Turkeys for Xmas? :)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 20, 2017, 03:17:35 PM
No turkeys thank you - I have a friend who does, and a friend who did and got his fingers burnt !

So today was the grand delivery day for the 'Tractor Shed on a Lorry' - supposed to be here about 12 noon, so before that the remains of my 'hardcore pile' was transferred to the shed base and pushed about a bit to get it vaguely level. Still need to add about 100 mm and to that end I have ordered two 20 ton lorry loads, due tomorrow after noon, of crushed concrete '75 mm to dust'. This will make a good finish layer.

In the remaining time Darren continued building up the stream bank to for a roadway access to the triangle of land behind the shed. He incorporated those heavy duty iron pipes that we pulled out as reinforcement, We also 'lost' that huge root that caused me all the grief in the early part of this project.

Then the shed lorry arrived and there was a great bustle about  unloading it and putting it where it wont get damaged.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 20, 2017, 03:25:08 PM
So with all that done Darren started Vibro-Rolling the hard core.

The 'master plan is to spread a bit of the 'crush'  on it tomorrow to give a good working surface. The shed will then be erected with the 500 mm concrete side panels above the crush a bit which will be made up to 'final pre-floor' level. Then the concrete floor will be laid with about 50 mm above the panels on the inside, and 25 mm on the outside to prevent rain entering. Apparently this is standard construction for grain sheds so I'm happy to go long with it  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 23, 2017, 05:02:23 AM
Friday was a bit of a clearing up and tidying day while we waited for the 40 tons of crushed concrete to arrive. We needed to clear a path through to my stock trailer as it was needed at the weekend, and also move an old shed that the grandchildren had a few toys in, before it was 'land locked'  behind the new tractor shed.

So first out came the 'toy shed' on the Telehandler (handy bit of kit, I wish that I had one!) and then changing it's forks for a massive bucket we moved four lorry loads of top soil (80 tons !) from their piles in the field to round the back of the tractor shed. This not only formed a base on which to stack the side sheeting and 'Z Purlins' but also considerably  re-inforces the built up platform to stop things spreading. Eventually it will be tapered as a slope outwards, but we left it level as a running surface to help during erecting the steelwork.

It was all a bit hectic, as the Bull Calves in the field, being inquisitive, wanted to put their noses into everything and wander through open gates, and the field gate obviously had to be open for shifting the earth. As a safety precaution we closed the gate between the inner and outer farm yards, but of course the pair of eight wheeler lorries AND a cottage guest AND the Tescos delivery that the guest had arranged all turned up at the same time. Never mind, my hair can't go much whiter  :ddb:

As things calmed down a bit Darren spread the first 20 ton of crush as a working surface inside the Tractor Shed, then Vibrorolled it in. When the steelwork is up, we can bring the sub-surface up to final level ready for concreting.

We should be 'good to go' to start bolting all the steelwork together on Monday - after all it's only very heavy 'Meccano'  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 23, 2017, 05:19:50 AM
So this weekend is the 'calm before the storm' with just little planning and sorting type jobs.

Perhaps I should first explain that each duct that I lay for cables is always left with at least one 'pull through' rope for future use. And usually you need rope twice the length of the duct if multiples of cables and pipe are being installed.

As my reel of 'pull through rope'  - which is three strand 6 mm o/d polypropylene - was running out I had ordered and received a new 500 metre reel, but although mounted on a cardboard tube, it had no cheeks to keep it in order. So yesterday I made up a pair of 4 mm plywood cheeks, and some metal collars that nicely slid onto the bit of scaffold pole that I used as a core (nice tight fit in the cardboard tube), and tack welded the collars to the tube to hold it all together.

Today I decided that my previous arrangement of just plonking the reel in a box to stop it rolling all over the place when the rope is pulled was unsatisfactory. Time to make a proper 'reel holder'.

Step forward the ubiquitous CNC Plasma Table. In no time flat, a bit of 2 mm Zintec sheet was cut to profile, a couple of bends in the Edwards Box and Pan Folder, and a reel holder emerged - axle is a bit of 20 mm steel electrical conduit.

(The reel is about 12" diameter)

Oh I DO love my CNC Plasma Table  :lol:

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 23, 2017, 11:00:11 AM
Hi there, Andrew,

That's all looking good.  Just one query, though:

What gauge is your 'siding' and roofing?  If the piles I can see on your photos really do contain enough, it must be thin enough to need careful handling! 

Beware sharp edges!!! 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 23, 2017, 11:31:05 AM
0.7 mm Peter, which is painfully thin, but that's what they use these days. It's electro-galvanised and plastic coated, but the base is as I say painfully thin. :med:

Roof sheeting is fibre reinforced cement, which is pretty thick. I could have had the same as siding, but the first time a bit gets bumped it would break, whereas the electro-galvanised steel just bends and looks grotty !

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Spurry on July 23, 2017, 01:04:18 PM
Very neat cable reel. But, if it was mine, it would be rolling all around the floor as the rope came off. The gremlins are obviously much kinder to you.
Pete
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 23, 2017, 02:49:55 PM
Pete the carrier is quite weighty, and with the lead out down into a hole and pulling gently it should be fine. Even the old one that just sat in a metal box 'sort of works' !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 24, 2017, 06:12:31 PM
Today we got off to rather a slow start - the weather wasn't too good in the morning and also Darren had brake issues with his trailer. However 15:30 brought him here along with yet another toy - his self propelled access platform.

Having unloaded it he got on with exposing all the hold down bolts, removing their greased cardboard cones, and setting packing pieces to a laser level to bring them all up to an exact height.

Then he started placing the 'goal posts' that form the sides of the shed and take the portal frames for the roof.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 24, 2017, 06:23:04 PM
Then it was the turn of the concrete panels. These will be embedded in the concrete of the floor, and are 500 mm tall - their purpose being to keep the side sheeting out of the ground and reduce rusting. They create a watertight joint at floor level, with the outside being formed an inch or two lower than inside.

The 'shed kit' came with a pair of crimped cable lifting eyes that screw into sockets cast in the panels. The panels fit tightly on their length between the webs of the 'goal posts' and rest on brackets that are integral with the posts. As they were such good fit each post had to be tilted a bit by slackening it's bolts, to get the panel in - a very dodgy looking operation  :bugeye:

All but one of the side panels were installed before it became too dark.

Play resumes tomorrow !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on July 24, 2017, 08:16:28 PM
At last, we begin to get an idea of the scale of this mammoth project..... so, just how many lathes machine tools tractors do you anticipate storing in this monstrous construction??? Looking at that 2nd to last picture, it has to be good for at least 9 tractors, maybe more?

Great project BTW. Knocks my old office into a cocked hat. One day, Mr Mawson, I will do something bigger than you! One day!  :scratch:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on July 24, 2017, 09:28:32 PM
One day, Mr Mawson, I will do something bigger than you! One day!
Good luck with that one pal! :beer:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 25, 2017, 02:21:25 AM
Ade,

It's the space to manoeuvre vehicles inside a building rather than the theoretical packing in space that is needed here. The shed floor will be 1800 square foot but that doesn't mean that you can easily park 18 vehicle each 100 foot square. There has to be dead space.

Nice big shed though, isn't it  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 25, 2017, 04:52:16 AM
Please, sir, please sir,

How did you unload the self-propelled elevating platform from the trailer?? 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 25, 2017, 05:25:04 AM
Rather dodgy ramps Pete   :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Spurry on July 25, 2017, 05:57:45 AM
Andrew, that's a very appealing method of construction. I had never seen a barn put together, (apart from my own one) which had the erection (of the steel :-) ) included in the price. The fitters assembled a complete bay-joint on the floor then hiked it into place with the JCB Loader. So now I'm not sure which way would be preferred.
Good luck with the rest of build, and following with interest.
Pete
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on July 25, 2017, 06:41:03 AM
Ade,

It's the space to manoeuvre vehicles inside a building rather than the theoretical packing in space that is needed here.

Nice big shed though, isn't it  :lol:

It's got to be big to do the occasional Barn Dancing!! It's going to turn that end into a farmyard !

Looking good so far!!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: howsitwork? on July 25, 2017, 04:11:12 PM
Nah 🤔

It's so he can accommodate the JCB back hoe digger dance demonstration team at the next barn dance. I'm serious there is such a team!!
Looks good
 Are you installing running water or relying on the locals to do it for free again ?
Ian
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 25, 2017, 06:09:31 PM
Water will certainly pass through the building on it's way to the pigs & chicken, not sure if it will actually be used / accessible in the shed - no real need.

Major progress with Darren putting in a long day. First he fitted the last of the concrete panels, and then went about fitting the six Eaves Beams.

When this was done, an extra 8 wheeler / 20 ton load of sandy topsoil arrived to build up behind the shed. He was able to reverse inside and tip through the open rear wall to save numerous Telehandler journeys  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 25, 2017, 06:12:12 PM
Then it was the turn of the 'Portal Frames' and their bracing beams
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 25, 2017, 06:16:12 PM
Then the posts that go either side of the main roller shutter and pedestrian doors. These 'hang', are then squared up, and then anchor bolts are drilled into the concrete footings. This is unlike the other posts, where the anchors were cast in the concrete
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 25, 2017, 06:22:37 PM
At least now it looks like a shed  :thumbup:

Obviously there is still much to do structurally: The front and rear concrete panels need fitting. Numerous 'Z purlins' have to be fitted. The floor hardcore needs bringing up to 150 mm below floor level. Then the roof sheeting can go on. Then 150 mm of concrete needs floating to a smooth finish. Then the wall sheeting . . . .it goes on and on  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on July 26, 2017, 02:25:28 PM
 Another good day Andrew, you will be inside before you know it!
Phil.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 26, 2017, 04:07:35 PM
Thanks Phil  :thumbup:

No progress today - rain stopped play - anyway Darren had a Perkins engine in a JCB Loadall to put back together.

Looking at the photos above, what amuses me is how easily that 8 Wheeler Ro-Ro lorry fits inside the shed - infact two would go in with ease  :ddb:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on July 27, 2017, 03:15:12 AM
"Looking at the photos above, what amuses me is how easily that 8 Wheeler Ro-Ro lorry fits inside the shed - infact two would go in with ease"

So Andrew,
       How long before it becomes too small as seems to be the lot of all sheds?
To be fair to the sheds though it is mostly due to the stuff we keep cramming into them somehow thinking the walls are elastic perhaps?
 Seriously, it's a great building for the purpose you describe and hopefully you will get it finished soon without any more of the drama and hiccups so far described. Then  :coffee: time.
Congrats and thanks again for the interesting read.

John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 27, 2017, 05:01:36 AM
"Looking at the photos above, what amuses me is how easily that 8 Wheeler Ro-Ro lorry fits inside the shed - infact two would go in with ease"

SNIP

Congrats and thanks again for the interesting read.

John B


I'll second that.  Oh, and  :mmr: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Will_D on July 27, 2017, 06:51:23 AM
Whats your equivalent to a "Barn Topping Out" party?

Just like to say that the amount of work you put into your projects (say nothing about the farming aspect) and then documenting them here inspires me to get on with my humble do-list

Cheers

Will, Malahide
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on July 27, 2017, 07:46:40 AM
Just like to say that the amount of work you put into your projects (say nothing about the farming aspect) and then documenting them here inspires me to get on with my humble do-list
+1000 on that one Will :thumbup:!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 27, 2017, 08:28:24 AM
Thanks Phil  :thumbup:

SNIP

Looking at the photos above, what amuses me is how easily that 8 Wheeler Ro-Ro lorry fits inside the shed - in fact two would go in with ease  :ddb:
 

Does that mean that your tractor shed might become the 'Area 51' of South-East England??   :lol:   :ddb:   :lol:   :ddb: 

Better make sure the front doors aren't visible to the Google Streetview camera!!!   :D   :)   :D   :) 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 28, 2017, 12:38:20 PM
So yesterday - fine all day - sun shining - no Darren  :bang:

However one more 8 wheeler with 20 ton of earth came in stockpiling on the field to move round the back of the shed to fill and level up the void  :thumbup:

Today - drizzling - not very pleasant - the occasional heavy shower - but Darren has finished re-assembling the JCB Loadall and is back working here. So far the remaining concrete panels have been fitted to the front and rear walls, all the 'Z-Purlins' have been fitted to the walls (the sheet cladding screws into these) and the cross bracing bars and wire cable have been fitted but not yet tensioned.

As I type he is fitting the remaining  Z-Purlins to the roof. When all these have been fitted he will 'square up' the building then finally tighten all bolts and tension the bracing cables. I'm quite impressed by the design of this framework - better than I had expected.

Also today another 8 wheeler put another 20 tons of earth on the stock pile - and I'm promised another two or three next week which should complete the levelling up.

I'll post photos when he's finished
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 28, 2017, 03:05:29 PM
Well as promised here are the pictures. All concrete panels, Z Purlins, braces and anti-twist bars fitted except for the short ones round the doors on the front face.

No play scheduled for the weekend, anyway the weather is forecast to be lousy, but hopefully Monday will see a resumption.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on July 28, 2017, 03:41:45 PM
It's looking good, Andrew.

I'm sure you've got plenty of things to do during your enforced weekend break.

So I'll be patient until this project resumes. 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 31, 2017, 10:51:15 AM
Yes Pete, I schemed and plotted working out what I needed in the electrical line (3 phase distribution board, MCB's, RCD, 100 watt LED floods x 3 inside, 100 watt PIR outside and a few switches and sockets plus a roll of 3 core Hi-Tuff cable) and nearly bankrupted myself ordering it all  :bugeye:

Not a huge lot to show for progress today, but progress there has been. Darren has torqued all the structural bolts and squared the frame up and tightened the cable pulls that stop the horizontal Z Purlins sagging.

Hopefully if the wind is kind to us he can start sheeting tomorrow
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 01, 2017, 05:07:21 PM
Major progress today  :thumbup:

We started shifting two 8-wheeler lorry loads of soil round to the back of the shed to form a platform that Darren can run his access platform on when putting up the side cladding.

Then at last the roof - hooray  :clap:

First shift all the sheets from where stored on my loading bay, then bit by bit, sheet by sheet, the roof began to grow
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 01, 2017, 05:10:56 PM
Where four adjacent sheets overlap, at the corner you would end up with a treble thickness, whereas two layers are what we want. The solution is to cut the sheets at an angle
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 01, 2017, 05:17:04 PM
Then it was onwards and upwards sheet after sheet.

By the end of the day (21:30) the roof is practically finished except for the sheets at the extreme front where they need to be cut to size along their length.

Also extra screw down fixings needed to make everything gale-proof.

Forecast for tomorrow is fine early on and rain later so time only will show what we can get done
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: charadam on August 01, 2017, 05:46:32 PM
Tell you what - it was bloody boring over the last few days!

Welcome back.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 02, 2017, 10:34:38 AM
As I feared the weather was not kind to us today - drizzling from the start. Before the rain got too bad (luckily) I took delivery of the 6"x 2" timbers to form the shuttering around the outside of the shed for when the floor is poured, fifty 'ground pegs' to locate the shuttering timbers, and three more lengths of underground drain for the gullies taking the rain from the roof. Also an 8 x 4 of 'water and boil proof' 18mm ply to mount the electrical distribution board onto the Z Purlins.

Quite to my surprise Darren arrived and started cutting sheets lengthways to finish off the bit at the front of the shed that we left last night.

He got them up and fixed but the rain then became somewhat heavier so he went home to do some book keeping.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 02, 2017, 10:52:18 AM
While Darren was roofing, I unpacked an electrical delivery that came yesterday - the 3 phase distribution box and it's entrails, and also the three internal and one external 100 W LED flood lights.

I'd worked out that I needed eight electrical 'ways' in the board:

1/ 50 Amp 3 phase feed to external electrical distribution point
2/ 32 amp 3 phase 'socket 'radial'
3/ 16 amp 3 phase 'socket radial'
4/ 16 amp 3 phase service for  roller shutter door
5/ 32 amp ring for single phase sockets
6/ 16 amp ring for single phase 16A 'commando' sockets
7/ 6 amp internal single phase lighting circuit
8/ 6 amp external single phase lighting service

Although 8 way boards are available that would leave no 'expansion capability' for the future so I am installing a twelve way board.

I am also incorporating a 30 mA RCD which involves installing a conversion kit in the board to couple the RCD to the bus bars hopping over where a simple isolator could have been fitted. I've fitted several of these kits in the other buildings, but this one proved a pain until I realised that the "ISOLATE BEFORE REMOVAL" label had been stuck on upside down  :bang:

Then I went on to test each LED floodlight - all worked  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 02, 2017, 10:55:55 AM
The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that there's an extra 3 phase breaker in that panel - I had it - it may as well live there unused - and it save blanking off another way  :ddb:

So weather permitting tomorrow brings a bit more roof sheet screwing down and hopefully some side sheeting going on - watch this space  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 02, 2017, 12:11:05 PM

SNIP

So weather permitting tomorrow brings a bit more roof sheet screwing down and hopefully some side sheeting going on - watch this space  :thumbup:
 

The forecast (BBC) for your area looks good for tomorrow until Saturday, except for a brief shower at 06:00-ish on Friday.

If Darren fixed all the roof sheets from above, how did he know where to drill the holes?  Did you help him from the underside?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 02, 2017, 12:41:42 PM
He's a canny lad and has been doing this for years  :thumbup:

Actually, as you lay the sheets on the Z Purlins, you can see the Purlin line on the uncovered side, so a quick tape measure from the top or bottom of the sheet gives you the place to drive your self drilling screws .
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on August 02, 2017, 02:59:58 PM
The weather scuppered  my brothers roofing job as well, so it's not just Suffolk suffering! Interesting the way you have done your Disboard, I was faced with this dilemma, and avoided doing it the way you have to save "ways" On my dis board, I used a 45 amp sp breaker to feed a seperate consumer unit with a couple of rcd's for the single phase, thus ensuring all the single phase was on the same phase. Apparently the "electricians" today don't bother ( I asked a few). just slap three sp mcb's in the same way, and put a warning sticker on (if they remember). Don't like that at all!! I would have got hung If I had done that! Aren't they just expensive!! Mine including breakers was about £400, and then I got home and realised there would not be an "incomer" (ridiculous term) in the board. The single phase consumer unit was £30 from fleabay, already well populated with 2 rcd's. Job looks well Andrew, a couple more good days and she will be clad.
Phil.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on August 02, 2017, 03:02:43 PM
 Sorry about huge size and sideways pic, it were reet when I posted it guv, onest!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 02, 2017, 05:45:59 PM
I keep all single phase kit on L1, which obviously means an unbalanced load across phases. I'd rather that than have 415 between extensions run from different buildings into the yard (for instance)

I think the board, lights and a few ancillaries like light switches, cable & junction boxes is running at just shy of £900  :bugeye:

Luckily no labour to pay for installation or that would be doubled !

I have an isolator board in the main shop that feeds three phase to three other buildings, and could find no compact 3 phase board to house things, so mounted the appropriate isolators in a single phase metal clad consumer unit with a proprietary three phase bus bar and loads of suitable labels - worked out very neatly
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 07, 2017, 05:25:19 PM
After a few days of inactivity due to too much wind, or too much rain, or too little Darren, or a combination of all three at least today we started going forwards again  :thumbup:

Starting in the south facing wall he fixed a baulk of timber on packing pieces that I cut to bring it's upper surface to finished lower edge of the sheets. Then manhandling the sheets into place one by one the side slowly grew into the finished item. These sheets were all pre-cut to length but needed notching to go around the gutter brackets that protrude from the Universal Beam uprights.

Then it was a case of 'rinse and repeat' on the North side.

Having done both sides he moved on to the front, which is a tad more complex with all it's various openings. It's sheets will eventually be trimmed to the roof angle before the capping goes on.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 07, 2017, 05:27:14 PM
While this was going on Gary ran a further four 8 wheeler loads, (or eighty tons  :bugeye:) of "top / sub soil" into the field awaiting shifting round the back to complete the leveling of the little paddock we are creating there. Quality doesn't matter much as we have enough good topsoil stockpiled to cover it over. It only needs to grow a bit of grass !

And there was a minor pig interruption  :bugeye: 

Work on the front hopefully resumes tomorrow.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Will_D on August 08, 2017, 04:38:20 AM
Making Bacon  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 08, 2017, 02:09:59 PM
Only POTENTIAL bacon Will  :ddb:

Today was officially A GOOD DAY. A/ Weather forecast was rotten - drizzle all day, but they were wrong  :thumbup: Rain held off until about four in the afternoon. B/ While Darren was doing his stuff I hunted out and found an elusive hydraulic oil leak on the JCB803 which was far easier to cure than I'd expected. A slow drip onto the left hand track - one pipe from the main pump distinctly damp. I'd previously tightened it's fitting. It wasn't until I projected the rear of the machine over the edge of my loading dock and could look up at the area clearly it was obvious that the leak was dripping down the pipe from a pressure test point that wasn't tightened ! A quick couple of turns with a gloved hand and leak cured - things are rarely that simple  :thumbup:

So early on Gary brought in yet another load of variegated soil - I think this is at least the twentieth but I've lost count - hopefully the last

Darren soldiered on fixing the front sheets - this is the most complex side as it has not only the sloping roof but also the piercings of the two doors to work round.

To get at the left hand side he had to create a hardcore platform for his access device to roll on  - once the sheets were in place he could trim back to the roof line with an angle grinder ready for the verge

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 08, 2017, 02:20:38 PM
So then for the verge. At this point the heavens opened, and Darren stoically just climbed into his tank suite and carried on  :thumbup:

The verge and capping piece went on fairly easily and then it was just a case of a bit of a tidy up, and leave site. He has other commitments Wednesday and Thursday so play resumes Friday.

Another 'event' today was the appearance of the Roller Shutter Door fitters to take final measurements before they make the roller and personnel doors - all the way down the country from Bolton in Lancashire  :bugeye: :bugeye:

Door will take a few weeks to be fitted, and needs to be in place before the floor concrete goes down. This morning I bent up brackets to mount the 100 Watt LED Floodlights and gave them a coat of cold galvanising - we'll need lights when concreting if the weather is against us and the door has to be closed
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 08, 2017, 02:37:18 PM
Hi there, Andrew,

This thread continues to be a fascinating rubbernecker's delight, thank you.  Thank you also for the warning of the two day's break.

The building looks as though it has been designed as a whole kit.  I was particularly impressed by the incorporation of supports for the concrete gravel boards and that there are such handy projecting supports for your siding gauge board.  And yet you are left to trim the cladding sheets to the angled roof-line?  Did the suppliers include drawings for Building Control & Planning?  (I forget what you told us at the beginning about the differences for approval of agricultural buildings.)
Do you have an appointment yet for the Google Street-View camera?  Or the Google Earth over-flight?   :lol:   :lol:   :lol:

I think a large   :mmr:  decal painted on the roof would be a good feature. 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 08, 2017, 03:54:54 PM
Pete, this is a variation on a standard design for a "Grain Store", where keeping rodents out is considered desirable !

Usually the concrete sides would be considerably taller, and also normally the building would be much larger - this is only 1800 square foot which s small for an agricultural building.

Yes it's designed as a "whole kit" in order that it can be gone over by a structural engineer and granted "CE Approval" that the demi-gods in Brussels demand these days.

I think to trim the sheets before delivery would be pushing their luck, as things move, and aren't necessarily as square as the designers drawing board.

Had full planning permission been needed they would / could provide full drawings, but this has been built under a "28 day Notice" which allows me to build up to 5000 square foot each year if I want so long as the building falls under certain usage and construction requirements.

All I had to do was provide a site and location plan, along with a description of the materials used and external appearance on the application form.

Google Streetview still hasn't found my newish farm name signs - no doubt they will catch up - they have included some tracks I've created by driving tractors in their map library !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 09, 2017, 12:00:29 PM
First a photo of the brackets I made yesterday to mount the LED Floodlights - they span the two highest Z Purlins

Got a couple of minor things done today on the T / S :

a/ Mounted the 8x4 of 18 mm 'Water and Boil Proof' plywood onto the Z Purlins ready to take the main electrical distribution box, the CAT5 & Telephone termination box, and also the Roller Shutter Door control box. I stiffened it first with four vertical bits of 4x2 on the reverse.

From the way the Z Purlins lie the top had to be secured with 'sheeting screws' as the back wasn't accessible, but the bottom is held by 6 mm coach bolts and nuts as I can get my hand round the purlin for the nuts!

b/ Made up the Termination Box for the CAT5 and Telephone cables ready to mount on the above board.

I'll not actually mount anything on the board yet until the concreting is done, as it's bound to get pretty messy when that starts - lights and roller shutter will be fed temporarily by wander leads
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 12, 2017, 12:14:46 PM
'No Show' by Darren on Friday - I've not chased him as it probably wouldn't help - just hope we see him on Monday  :med:

I decided to start moving that huge 100 ton pile of earth from the field to round the back of the shed where it's needed - my kit is a lot smaller than Darren's - I've moved one entire 8 wheeler load, which took 11 of my Thwaites 2 cylinder dumper loads. That approximately equates, as it's a 2 ton dumper and an 8 wheeler load is about 20 tons.

It looks a particularly unimpressive heap in the pictures, and the remaining 'hole' seems flattened by the camera, but in reality they are large 'objects' If the weather holds and I can escape family commitments I'll see if I can 'rinse and repeat' tomorrow (Sunday)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 13, 2017, 08:50:24 AM
As I'd hoped, I moved another 20 tons this morning. No pictures, not a lot of point, one pile has shrunk and the other grown  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on August 13, 2017, 03:34:32 PM
I managed two trailer loads of rubble to the local CA site, and three loads of funiture across town for a mate, Sunday I was "resting" Tomorrow is post hole borer time to put up some outdoor runs for my cousins Kennels, they breed rough collies under the name "Wicani"  Then we have all the indoor kennels to make from OSB3 and 3x2 framing, that will be done "when wet" Should keep me out of mischief, and unfortunately, out of the workshop, for a week or two:-( I have decided that the main workshop area floor, (6mx9M) laid in 1974, is beyond redemption, and is coming out to be relaid with new mixconcrete. really not worth patching it up, so when Tony the conc is free I have a job for him! Good progress on the  shed Andrew, all is safely covered in!
Phil
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 14, 2017, 04:13:04 PM
So at 5 pm today Darren re-emerged from hibernation  :lol:

(In fairness he'd been doing urgent repairs to a grain store door)

He started building an earth platform on the side of the shed where the 'Pig Palaces' are in order that he can run his motorised access lift there to fit the heavy galvanised steel guttering, and more easily finish off screwing down the roof sheeting.

Hopefully he returns tomorrow .......  :med:

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 15, 2017, 05:03:11 PM
A very wet night with loads of rain made the platform that Darren formed yesterday a soggy mess  :bang:

While things were drying off we put the flood lights up and I've wired them temporarily to a plug and socket as I can't be sure where the final switches can go until the people installing the roller and personnel doors have done their stuff

After that Darren went back up on the roof and did the final screwing down of the corrugated fibre cement roofing sheets
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 15, 2017, 05:08:31 PM
Then to dry up that platform Darren scooped up some of the earth that I shifted at the weekend and overspread in on the platform as it was still quite dry below the surface.

This let him get his motorised lift round to start putting up the galvanised gutters.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 15, 2017, 05:12:19 PM
It was pretty dark by the time he left, and I couldn't resist going back out and trying the flood lights to see how effective they are: Answer - Very  :ddb:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Jo on August 16, 2017, 04:11:50 AM
 :scratch: I assume you are not putting the back on the shed until the doors go in to avoid the wind pulling the loose sheets about.

It is looking a very useful space but I am not sure if the front door is tall enough to take a Traction engine chimney :(   

Jo
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on August 16, 2017, 06:06:20 AM
:scratch:
It is looking a very useful space but I am not sure if the front door is tall enough to take a Traction engine chimney :(   

Jo

It should he OK, traction engine chimneys are made dis-mountable for that reason!!

Cheers, Matthew
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 16, 2017, 07:09:26 AM
Give me the Traction Engine Jo and I'll see if I can squeeze it in  :lol:

Back sheets going on as I type - photos later. He left the back off until the roof sheets were fully screwed down, as the door opening faces the prevailing wind (roughly West) and there's every possibility of flying sheets with strong gusts.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 16, 2017, 08:32:57 AM
Hi there, Andrew,

I'm enjoying this thread.  But then you've never put up an uninteresting thread yet!   :thumbup:   :clap:   :thumbup:   :clap: 

Please forgive me if you've already answered but as it's a tractor shed, shall you insulate beneath the floor slab?   :scratch:   :scratch:   :scratch: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 16, 2017, 09:33:22 AM
No Pete it will just be a 6" slab of concrete. This will be an unheated building, just to keep the weather off my various bits of agricultural plant.

I may even get all keen when it's up and dismantle the JCB 803 digger, replace a whole load of bushes and given it a fresh coat of paint - so far I've not had anywhere to safely do it and leave it in bits out of the rain, and this building will let me get at it with the forklift to do all the heavy lifting in relative safety and comfort.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 16, 2017, 04:06:08 PM
So as promised a few pictures of the rear wall cladding going on. Rather repetitive I'm afraid but at least it's now done  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 16, 2017, 04:10:53 PM
Having clad the rear wall we were able to get the downspouts fitted, and as rain is forecast overnight we have fitted temporary 90 degree bends and pipe leading away from the building. Eventually there will be roddable traps where the 90 degree bends currently are.

Then we need to add a fair amount of height to bring ground level behind the shed up to meet the concrete floor. To this end I've ordered yet more lorry loads of earth - another four eight wheeler loads  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on August 16, 2017, 04:17:12 PM
That drop down to the stream is looking steep enough to warrant a fence now Andrew :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 16, 2017, 04:26:54 PM
Oh yes Pete, it's getting a bit like the Grand Canyon  :bugeye:

... but we need more earth to level off the rest of it and form a consistent batter to the slope. When that's done and it's been adequately compacted I urgently need to get some foliage growing on it to keep it in place.

There will be a standard stock fence enclosing the little L shaped paddock behind the shed, with gates (4 foot to right of front and 10 foot on the diagonal corner ) and it will be a handy place to corral stock for short periods such as shearing and lambing.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 17, 2017, 02:32:18 PM
No actual progress on the Tractor Shed today  however Gary did bring in another 8 wheeler load of very nice topsoil  :thumbup:

Only problem was he got his lorry stuck on the field  :bugeye:

It took an awful lot of backing up and taking runs at it to get back to firm ground due to the not inconsiderable amount of rain we had last night - still he tells me he has loads of it in his yard - very handy as it's such nice stuff and can go on top of the crud we've been using  :ddb:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 18, 2017, 02:22:11 PM
Again no actual progress today as we were sans Darren once more, however Gary braved driving on the field (having got stuck yesterday) and brought in a further three eight wheeler loads of rather nice topsoil - so that's four loads stockpiled and a further two due in in the early part of next week  :thumbup:

So hopefully the landscaping around the back and sides of the shed can now go ahead.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 22, 2017, 03:48:29 PM
So the day began with one more load of topsoil thanks to Gary, bringing the stockpile in the field up to six loads  :thumbup:

Darren chipped away at the corner concrete stanchion footings to correctly set the height of the roof drain and then started on making the form-work to define the outer edge of the floor slab,
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 22, 2017, 03:54:27 PM
I then got him to pull out an old chainlink & concrete post fence that was well beyond it's sell by date that ran down the side of the shed. The idea being that the earth buildup can extend to the boundary with the new stock fence planted on top rather than at the bottom of a slope. This increases the useful area and makes the fencing easier.

The fence we pulled out had been 'repaired' in many places with every sort of wire mesh and tat that you can imagine
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 22, 2017, 03:58:27 PM
Then we set to moving earth around the shed to start the landscaping and back up the form work. It became pretty obvious early on that YET MORE LORRY LOADS OF EARTH ARE NEEDED  :bugeye:

Gary is on stand by for tomorrow to bring a few more in - that pile of six humps has been reduced to perhaps four or so and it goes NOWHERE  :scratch:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: charadam on August 22, 2017, 05:06:21 PM
Just like logs - when you stack them, half of them disappear into a black hole!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 23, 2017, 05:03:06 PM
Lots happening today but probably rather boring photographically as it's mostly just shifting earth around !

Firstly Gary brought another 8 wheeler in and added to the stockpile in the field, then Darren started reducing the pile by shifting it round the back of the tractor shed. The intent is to back up the form work for the concrete floor with earth temporarily to stop it flexing as the concrete is poured, and then level off to make a decently level paddock with the ground gently sloping away from the building.

However in one corner there is a huge 'hole' to fill that we expect to swallow several lorry loads on it's own, and the general level needs increasing all round to be slightly below floor level when finished.

So Darren has been going back and forth in the Telehandler with a huge bucket on the front gobbling up earth, while I've been chasing sheep and cattle out of the yard and back into the field with monotonous regularity. Daren sculpted the slope behind the Pig Palaces to create a more grass mower friendly contour so I don't have to buy a four wheel drive mower  :ddb:

However Gary has been bringing in yet more loads to build the pile back up. Darren eventually won this game and at close of play the field stockpile had gone. However Gary will get his own back with more loads coming in tomorrow!

Loads of boring pictures that will probably have to straddle two posts
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 23, 2017, 05:04:57 PM
Cont ....
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 23, 2017, 05:16:19 PM
Tomorrow I'm away on family business, but Darren will be finalising the height of the crushed concrete for the floor prior to pouring as it seems all the re-bar and mesh is being delivered on Tuesday with the pour being on either Wednesday or Thursday  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on August 24, 2017, 01:15:44 PM
This is one beast of a project Andrew - I doubt any of us had any idea how much work's actually been involved, even now it seems somewhat other-worldly...

If it's not too rude a question, approximately what has it cost to do this project, assuming nothing goes awry as the finishing line approaches?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 24, 2017, 02:25:24 PM
It's no grand secret Ade, I'm hoping to bring it in under £40,000 or about £22 per square foot. At the moment that's looking a bit tight, as the concrete floor with it's steel and membrane is £10,250 inc VAT. It's ridiculously expensive for a tin shed but that's largely been dictated by the need for all structural steel work now to be CE certified thanks to the EU in Brussels. So in this case, instead of Darren welding a few RSJ's together the entire shed was made in a factory in Cheshire and shifted on lorries  200 miles south - hardly very green !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 24, 2017, 02:50:56 PM
It's no grand secret Ade, I'm hoping to bring it in under £40,000 or about £22 per square foot. At the moment that's looking a bit tight, as the concrete floor with it's steel and membrane is £10,250 inc VAT. It's ridiculously expensive for a tin shed but that's largely been dictated by the need for all structural steel work now to be CE certified thanks to the EU in Brussels. So in this case, instead of Darren welding a few RSJ's together the entire shed was made in a factory in Cheshire and shifted on lorries  200 miles south - hardly very green !
 

Gulp!

Let me read that again.   Double gulp!!!!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 24, 2017, 04:09:20 PM
Sadly these things don't come cheaply Pete. I could have cut corners - no steel in the floor - painted rather than galvanised frame - but these things come back to haunt you later and you regret thsm  :med:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 25, 2017, 12:01:22 PM
In my absence yesterday Darren moved a bit of earth around to support the form work for the  concrete base and scraped a bit inside to adjust levels, but it looks to me as though that bit is as yet unfinished.

Also in my absence Gary had brought in another 8 wheeler load of topsoil (actually quite a bit of brick in it as well but that doesn't matter) and today he brought in another two loads of rather better top soil - this makes 36 loads of soil and subsoil imported so far - approximately 720 tons  :bugeye:

So the Sedlescombe Alps are returning, with three 'humps' in the field awaiting distribution. Gary hopes to get another in this afternoon but not here yet (5 pm)

No Darren today as he has family business up country to attend to but hopefully he returns to site on Monday
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 29, 2017, 04:04:57 PM
So today is the Tuesday after the Bank Holiday Weekend, and I was up early mucking out the pigs when the flooring guys arrived. Now we'd expected the steel to be delivered but had not expected that they were going to lay it!

Now Darren hadn't quite got everything ready, so a quick call (which amazingly he answered eventually!) got him out of bed and finishing off levelling and flattening inside.

While this was happening I popped out to pick up half a ton of pig food and when I got back met the steel lorry coming out of my gate  :bugeye: The floor was pretty much ready to take the membrane and steel - a bit of soft sand to blind a few places and they set too laying the membrane, the mesh supports and the mesh.

Then Gary came in with load 37 of soil making a current field stockpile of four heaps.

Once the floor chaps had left Darren grouted in the pillar bases, set the two roof drain gullies on concrete pads and sorted a temporary runoff for the rain we expect tonight and tommorow

Concrete is ordered for 07:30 Thursday - 6 lorry loads and a concrete pump to get it to the back of the shed.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 29, 2017, 04:06:21 PM
Cont ....
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 30, 2017, 01:06:45 PM
Pouring with rain today but we had to finish preparing for tomorrows concrete pour  :(

Firstly we prepared the threshold strip - (80 x 80 mm angle) that gives a small lip to the front edge of the slab to stop rain being driven under the roller shutter. This was welded onto the pillars either side of the main door and continues across to the pedestrian door.

Then the wooden shuttering to flank either side of the doors was made and pegged in place. Then the shuttering and threshold strip were backed up temporarily with crushed concrete to stop them moving.

Each pillar (12 of them) were made at our request with an extra hole at mid floor level, and we hooked a length of re-bar shaped like a walking stick through these to firmly anchor the slab and pillars together.

Then finally Darren cut slots in the rear shuttering for the exits from the roof gullies and placed a short length of 110 mm pipe into them ready to connect up after the concrete is laid.

A last tidy up to make room for the six concrete lorries and pump to turn - last time we had a concrete pump here he demolished the corner of one of my Portakabins  :bugeye:

I've even evicted the cottage guests from their normal parking places to avoid disasters  (hopefully) when they all start rolling in tomorrow morning at 07:30

Forecast is for fine weather in the morning - let's hope they've got it right !

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 30, 2017, 03:38:43 PM
Hi there, Andrew,

It's all looking good though it's way out of my league!!

I was interested to see the gizmos that you've used to position your reinforcement mesh at the right level - I've never seen that type before.

I discovered the little concrete pucks just AFTER we'd poured the slab for my workshop!!   :doh:   :doh:   :doh: 

Is your mesh strong enough to walk on while the pour is in progress?  I've been following Blancolirio's YouTube channel showing the work on the Oroville dam spillway repairs - their mesh is a big enough grid for the guys to stand one leg in each square or even to stand the whole body in one square.  I fear that the mesh in my workshop slab ended up (or should I say 'down') just resting on the membrane!!  Definitely sub-optimum!!  We'd previously put down a strip footing, stepped because of the lie of the land, and then laid 18" x 9" x 4½" concrete blocks as what one building inspector called 'permanent shuttering', one course at one end and two at the other. 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 30, 2017, 03:41:18 PM
Well I've been walking on it today to no ill effect to the mesh however it would be very easy to twist an ankle as the squares are almost foot sized !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 30, 2017, 03:44:06 PM
Well, if it's OK for plasterers to wear stilts to do ceilings, maybe concreters should consider snow-shoes!   :lol:   :lol:   :lol: 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 30, 2017, 03:54:43 PM
Or high heels in this gender neutral age  :bugeye:

As for the pucks - I always used to use half bricks - the Pig Palace floors used half brick mesh supports and the pigs don't seem to mind  :ddb:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PekkaNF on August 31, 2017, 04:17:17 AM
I have been using plastic ones, they are pretty cheap id you buy them a bag.

http://www.talotarvike.com/images/big/raudoituskoroke_tassu.jpg

https://asiakas.kotisivukone.com/files/rtshop.fi.kotisivukone.com/.thumbs/harja1_198x.jpg

Some are that way smart than you can put mesh/rebar at two different levels.

Pekka
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 08:19:43 AM
Big day today - the floor arrives! So up early to get the animal chores done first, but not early enough - the Concrete Pump was first to arrive at 06:45 rapidly followed by the concreting gang.

First concrete lorry arrived 07:30 as booked but was a 7.5 cu M rather than the 6 cu M expected - never mind, less journey for the estimated 30 cu M that we need.

The gang was well organised  and set to with vigour - loads of pictures to follow:

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 08:26:33 AM
The day continued with the lorries arriving reasonably promptly - Hansons had two lorries on the job shuttling from the local depot, which is only three miles away).

Lots of pumping and levelling and hand trowelling of the outer skirt :
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 08:29:54 AM
And yet more pumping and levelling and trowelling !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 08:33:08 AM
By this stage the concrete was basically in place but needed finessing.

So that was 30 cu M delivered as ordered and we had a bit left over (a dumper truck and a splodge on the floor!)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 08:40:35 AM
As they were cleaning up and waiting for the concrete to go off enough to 'power float' a fifth (un-ordered ) lorry of concrete rolled up  :bugeye:

A heated 'discussion' ensued between the contractor and Hanson's local office and eventually lorry #5 left with it's tail between it's legs  :clap:

Power floating then started as did final finishing of the outer skirt

Then at about 12 noon the heavens opened and we had quite a down pour - there was much leaping about covering the bit by the doors with polythene sheeting but then it cleared up and no lasting damage has been done. They have re-trowelled the outer skirt to remove the rain marks and as I type are continuing to power float.

No point in taking more pictures until I can walk on the floor hopefully tomorrow.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 11:07:11 AM
So it's now 4 pm and the last of the team has left. They have given the concrete a final power float polish and it's come up remarkably smooth - it looks as though water is sitting on the surface but it isn't - that's reflections off the polished surface .

Someone is back tomorrow to cut preferential crack slots into the slab and give it a spray
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PekkaNF on August 31, 2017, 12:36:44 PM
Ever wonder why the power floater is called here "helicopter" :lol: Surely if amateur tries it.

Pekka
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 31, 2017, 12:43:15 PM
Wow!  That's amazing, I bet you're pleased to have reached that stage.

Two questions, one serious, the other just a little tongue in cheek:

Do the 'preferential crack slots' sever the rebar?

I've just got to know - what did you do with all that concrete in the dumper truck?!? 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on August 31, 2017, 01:29:15 PM
 superb Job Andrew, My next workshop job, almost the last job, is to break up and re lay a 9m x 6m slab, like you I will be getting "the lads" in to do it!! Powerfloat finish is amazing, and I have had enough of trolley jacks, engine cranes and the like sticking on the bumpy floor, and dropping into the holes, It has got to go! I really like the concrete going under the walls, completely rat proof! Almost there!
Phil
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on August 31, 2017, 02:16:20 PM
Ever wonder why the power floater is called here "helicopter" :lol: Surely if amateur tries it.

Pekka

Like this?

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 03:26:38 PM
Thanks chaps for the thoughts  :thumbup:

Pete, the crack inducing slots are I believe about 50 mm deep so should miss the re-bar by quite a way. The surplus concrete was spread out thinly over the pile of crushed concrete so it can easily be reduced to crush when needed !

Roller shutter should go in next week, so we should be weathertight then and I can start with the wiring and plumbing but there is still quite a bit of landscaping and fencing to do as well as an entry ramp and 'Aco' storm drain to install.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on August 31, 2017, 05:46:54 PM
Wow!  That's amazing, I bet you're pleased to have reached that stage.

Two questions, one serious, the other just a little tongue in cheek:

Do the 'preferential crack slots' sever the rebar?


Nope, they use a much wider blade than average which even if it hit the rebar would take an age to cut through it, especially on the typically lower powered saw they would use.

I've cut hundreds of meters of crack-inducer cuts. Don't like doing it because there's no margin for error - any slight wobble in the cut line stands out a mile. The bigger/better saws actually have a bias adjustment on the rear axle so you can put a bit of 'turn' on the saw to counteract the tendency to turn when pushing the blade mounted on one side. It's handy if you do a lot of roadway work where the blade is always on the same side but if you do work where you have to swap sides like we do you set it to track straight and counter-steer manually by leaning hard on the handle otherwise it's harder to cope with when you swap sides on the blade and the bias is working the wrong way.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 31, 2017, 05:58:55 PM
Pete I think that you had better come and supervise tomorrow  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PekkaNF on September 01, 2017, 02:31:37 AM
This is another great thread from Andrew. Entertaining and informative at the same time.

Downside is that now I have serious shed envy and I want to move back to countryside.

Pekka
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 01, 2017, 09:19:48 AM
Thanks Pekka  :thumbup:

So 07:30 brought another team to saw up the floor to form the preferential cracking positions. This time led by the boss of the company. It didn't take long to saw it up and swab it with a curing compound and they then disappeared over the horizon for breakfast.

Darren is here pulling up the shuttering, and if it dries up will be moving some more of the earth.

Garry brought in load #38 of soil while I was out walking the dogs so we now have six 'humps' in the stock pile waiting to shift round the back of the shed when it dries.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on September 01, 2017, 09:30:47 AM
This is another great thread from Andrew. Entertaining and informative at the same time.

Downside is that now I have serious shed envy and I want to move back to countryside.

Pekka
 

+1 from me!

The concrete extends to the outside of the building but because of the radius of the blade and the overhang of the machine the cuts must end short of the wall inside, is that a serious issue?

It seems to be a long time since we've seen your dogs - I hope they are thriving.   
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 01, 2017, 11:40:49 AM
Oh yes they are thriving  :thumbup: I walked them round Battle Great Wood this morning accompanied by the young lady who keeps her pet pig here along with her Terrier. They both walked me off my feet finding bits of the wood I've never seen before  :clap:

Remember the slots are to promote crack direction - they go close to the edges but obviously not all the way, but that produces a stress riser that will I'm sure propagate to the true edge.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 07, 2017, 02:42:17 PM
At last things dried up enough to resume earth shifting. First problem, move the cattle off the heap before they leap over the fence  :bugeye:

Fairly monotonous back and forth with the Telehandler until eventually the entire pile was re-located  round the back of the shed and levelled off. Then we trenched and put in the drains for the roof run off.

Loads of not hugely interesting pictures of piles of earth, bull calves and drains follow :  :clap:

Been told that the roller shutter and Pedestrian Door will be fitted Tuesday or Wednesday next week  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 07, 2017, 02:45:20 PM
Hopefully that's it for importing earth 'fill' - a total of 38 eight wheeler lorry loads  :bugeye:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 11, 2017, 01:03:44 PM
Got a surprise this morning - Darren in early and doing things with his scissor lift. Turns out that the Roller Shutter was due to come in early (noon today) and he had a hydraulic hose to fix first.

I was due to go over to my commercial butcher in Horam to collect some pigs that he'd been dismantling for me, and by the time I'd returned, unpacked, and set curing six sides of bacon and six legs and packed away the rest of the meat in various freezers the door was up and working, albeit on their temporary 3 phase genny.

So few actual pictures and I set to this afternoon living up the 3 phase distribution board and wiring a single 13 amp double socket as a temporary source of single phase power.

The pedestrian door is here and Darren intends to fit it tomorrow weather permitting
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: russ57 on September 12, 2017, 09:31:41 AM
I hope you are planning substantial internal fitout, as I can  feel awemawson project withdrawal approaching...
Great project, well described!

-russ

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 12, 2017, 10:24:15 AM
Thanks Russ  :thumbup:

It ain't finished yet ........  :lol:

Nice bright dry day but no Darren so far (15:15)  :bang: So I've gone ahead and started pulling pipes and cables through from the Woodwork Shop where I'm sourcing electrical power, compressed air, telephone connections, and my local intranet.

So this morning I got two 25 mm MDPE pipes (water and compressed air), a 6 pair telephone cable, and two Cat5e cables pulled into the duct alongside the three phase 415v cable I pulled through a while back - I also left a heavy 'draw rope' in there for future expansion.

This afternoon I went out and collected yet another drum of rather expensive 3 core x 2.5 mm CSA 'Hi-Tuff' cable to wire up more 13 amp double sockets around the periphery of the shed, but I'm held up awaiting a couple of lengths of 4" cable tray as I've decided that the 'girder clips' I'd planned to use are not holding the incoming three phase cable securely enough.

I can't really progress much further until the handedness of the pedestrian door is decided (to place light switches) and the external flood light goes up (to finalise cable runs.

...... finger twiddling time ........
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 14, 2017, 05:51:59 PM
I gave Darren a bit of a nag today and he turned up a little after lunch to start fitting the pedestrian door.

Before that I spent a frustrating couple of hours connecting up the telephone (6 pair) and two Cat5e cables to the wall box I'd previously prepared. The telephone cable being terminated on genuine Krone blocks was no issue - however the Cat5E onto a Chinese 12 way patch panel was a nightmare. Connected it up using it's 'punch down' connections easily enough, but when I came to test it I got very intermittent results. Sometimes good continuity, other times nothing. In desperation I put a pair of standard CAT5e sockets on the cable for testing and had no problems what so ever. Conclusion - this patch panel is pants  :bugeye:

Now I've used 11 of these patch panels elsewhere satisfactorily, but this one is definitely for the bin  !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: marcusthehat on September 15, 2017, 02:47:29 PM
Ahs be suffering proper agric based  based shed envy, only gotten a couple o wile low spec 60' by 30' sheds to make do wit.
but few planning regs to worry aboot :wack:
No 3 Ph yet either!
bugger!
marcusthehat
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 16, 2017, 03:27:32 AM
So yesterday (Friday) Darren came in the afternoon and finished adjusting the pedestrian door, fitted my new swanky 100 W LED outside floodlight (with remote control  :ddb: ) and fitted the corner cappings and cappings round the doors.

Mounting the floodlight was slightly problematic and involved making up some brackets so the the weight is taken by internal steel work rather than the flimsy outer cladding - confoundedly odd remote control but I think I now have the hang of it !

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 16, 2017, 03:34:45 AM
Now on departing yesterday he declared the intention of returning this morning (Saturday) to finish off shifting / grading the surrounding earth and forming the grades around the front so we can visualise how the entry ramp will interface with the yard and decide where to put the Aco flood drains in.

To this end I took a series of 'before' pictures this morning for later comparison:

Meanwhile the chap who rents a container from me was desperate to park a newly acquired small tipper lorry so it seems the shed in now in use !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on September 16, 2017, 03:59:26 AM
So yesterday (Friday) Darren came in the afternoon and finished adjusting the pedestrian door, fitted my new swanky 100 W LED outside floodlight (with remote control  :ddb: ) and fitted the corner cappings and cappings round the doors.
100watt LED, your going to need sunglasses with that! I have a 20watt outside above the 4metre high doors to my workshop, plenty of light for outside!! Looking forward to seeing all this in December!

Regards, Matthew
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PK on September 16, 2017, 06:54:10 AM
What LED light did you buy Andrew? 
I've had two (used as security floods) fail in the last three years... I'm reticent to blindly purchase a third without a recommendation..

PK
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 16, 2017, 11:11:50 AM
PK - bought from Phase Electrics in Hastings - but they are a UK chain of distributors. About £80 if I remember correctly and are guaranteed for three years.

Matthew - tests last night showed that it was adequate and markedly brighter than the flood lights on the buildings on two other sides of the yard, but not exactly 'operating theatre' bright. It'll be good to see you again in December for the scraping class.

So Darren arrived and shaped in crushed concrete the form of the ramp that will gain access to the building to give us an idea of the overall form things will take. Then he pushed a load of earth around with his 6 ton digger and then 'landscape raked' it with my 3 ton JCB 803. The ground is just a bit too damp to get a decent tilth, but the weather doesn't look too bad for the next few days so play resumes on Monday.

While he was doing that I removed the temporary wiring for the internal and external lighting and then installed the permanent wiring even with the luxury of a light switch next to the door (contrasting with the temporary 13a plug / socket !)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 16, 2017, 04:23:20 PM
Here you go Matthew - Flood Light lit
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on September 16, 2017, 04:33:22 PM
Certainly brighter than mine! You've got more space in front  to light up than me!!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on September 17, 2017, 09:25:50 AM
Andrew,

We had a severe hail storm here late afternoon yesterday.  Not big hailstones but lots and lots of them!  And torrential rain to boot.

I wondered if it had survived to your end of the A272 and beyond?  If so, the sound level inside your tractor shed would have been fairly formidable! 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 17, 2017, 10:30:18 AM
It was certainly rather wet over night Pete but no hail that I'm aware of.

Spent today adding a few electrical sockets down one side of the shed, and also three commando sockets for wander leads adjacent to the distribution panel. (A 16A single phase, a 16A three phase and a 32A three phase)

I'd intended to run the 13A sockets in Hi-Tuff with girder clips, the upright RSJ get in the way of straight runs of conduit however in a flash of inspiration I realised I could drill a clearance hole through the RSJ's and use singles in conventional 20mm conduit.

I'm short of the breaker for the 16A single phase commando socket, and a few saddle clips for the conduit - all on order and should arrive Monday or Tuesday.  I'm off collecting butchered lambs on Monday so Darren will have to just get on with things (hopefully)

I will probably leave the electrics at this stage - the sockets are really to help during Decembers scraping class but will be useful  long term putting vehicles on trickle charge.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: AdeV on September 18, 2017, 08:25:11 AM
See! I knew this shed wasn't for tractors! Scraping classes indeed! Illicit educational events! Tractors, my arse!  :lol:

PS: I'm gutted I couldn't commit to coming to the scraping course :( Financially it was just too much of a risk for me at the time. Hopefully there will be future classes (again held in the so-called "tractor" shed)
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 18, 2017, 02:13:52 PM
Well today proved rather too wet to play with earth so attention shifted to excavating for the entrance apron / ramp and also a trench to house the Aco storm drain channel. There is a suitable drain adjacent to the corner post of the upper Pig Palace so Darren chopped out vast quantities of my farm yard to accommodate it. The storm drain will sit between the slope of the entry ramp and the slight slope of the farm yard hopefully preventing flooding.

I took delivery of the replacement Cat5 patch panel which I installed in minutes with no issues this time, and also the circuit breaker and conduit clips so at least that's all now finished.

 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PekkaNF on September 19, 2017, 01:37:36 AM
That big roof area is going to dump a whole lot of water on the side.

If I got it right, you have located this building somewhat higher on the site and that should pretty much take care of runoff, even if the drain is floded in torrential rain. Only problem we had with that sort of building was a puddle on 5 metres on front of it.....heavy machines moved and turned right after entrance has tendency to compact the ground.

Pekka
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 19, 2017, 02:36:24 AM
Pekka you are right, huge run off from the roof, but all that water is directed to the rear of the building directly into a stream (branch of the River Line) so none comes anywhere near the farm yard thankfully.

The storm drain channel is purely to drain what falls on the yard itself and is ducted again into the stream.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 19, 2017, 02:46:56 PM
Today we started laying the Aco storm drain on a bed of concrete - ran out of balllast so play resumes tomorrow, Also exposed the land drain connection that we  will be Teeing into and inserted a swept Tee joint ready for the storm drain.

I also today connected up the compressed air having made up a support for it's termination. The air plumbing is grafted onto that already in the Woodwork Shop where I'd left a blanked off Tee 'just in case' a couple of years back. It runs round the Woodwork Shed at ceiling height then plunges down to the 110 mm drain conduit leading to the Tractor Shed. I put an isolator valve in the line for future diagnostic purposes. In the tractor shed the airline emerges from the 110 mm drain duct at floor level and rises to a 'wall plate elbow; then via a ball valve to a PCL Q/D fitting. I will in due time fit a pressure gauge at this point just as a reassurance measure as the compressor is a very long way away !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 20, 2017, 11:02:06 AM
No Darren today - no idea why - so I got on pulling pipes and cables through the duct that runs under the tractor shed floor, and outside to a manhole that I'm using as a marshalling point for water (to the pigs and chicken) - three phase 415v (for my external distribution point) and a pair of Cat5E cables (just in case!)

It was a bit like the problem of getting a troop of boy scouts across a river in the least number of moves with only a two seater canoe  :clap:

I needed three draw ropes in the duct (water pipe / mains cable / Cat5E cables) but also wanted a fourth one left in situ for future use. First I pushed my excellent cable pulling rodding gizmo from the outside manhole up into the tractor shed. Then I pulled back three draw ropes with it.

Dead easy to tangle multiple draw ropes doing this, so I lay them out first rather than leave them coiled.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 20, 2017, 11:12:35 AM
Then I attached the 25 mm MDPE water pipe to one draw rope by drilling a hole in the pipe, and secured the other draw ropes so they weren't accidentally  pulled as well.

25 mm pipe has a life of it's own when uncoiled  :bugeye:

Once pulled through I made it off to the existing stop cock in the man hole, and also completed the link loop from the Woodwork Shop into the Tractor Shed, and completed the connection in the Woodwork Shop where the water is sourced.

All a bit tight working down a man hole - no room to wield a spanner but I got there in the end.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 20, 2017, 11:18:22 AM
Then it was the turn of the 415V mains cable - heavy old reel and very stiff cable however it went fairly easily as far as the man hole. But onwards in the narrower 3" duct to the distribution point was a right b*****r needing much pulling and pushing and coaxing and cajoling. Eventually I got it through but had to leave an annoying kink in the man hole between it's entry port and it's exit port.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 20, 2017, 11:22:02 AM
By comparison the CAT5E was a doddle and behaved itself nicely. But by this time I was knackered so not many pictures.

So in summary - the water connections are finished, but the ends of the mains and CAT5e cables are as yet unterminated - a job for tomorrow - especially the external distribution box as it started to drizzle quite heavily when I was pulling the data cables so my motivation decreased somewhat to be outside !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: DICKEYBIRD on September 20, 2017, 05:11:13 PM
....by this time I was knackered so not many pictures.
I'm worn out just watching the work you complete in a day! :beer:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 21, 2017, 11:04:00 AM
Today I intended just to make off the ends of the 50A SWA cable - shouldn't be too hard - little did I know what I was letting myself in for  :med:

At the external brick built 'distribution point' the clay from the build up that the shed sits on was VERY sticky, so I cleared away a small working area and put some soft sand down to hopefully make the job less unpleasant. Then - strip out the innards of the 3 phase fuse box (which is a nasty plastic affair) - make provision for an adaptor box below it, as the wall of the plastic fuse board isn't strong enough to take a metal SWA gland , and prepare the SWA cable for making off to the gland. So far so good no big issues.

THREE HOURS later I had managed to get the gland clamp to accept and grip on the wire armour. Even by making it off in free air with the cable straight there was no way the clamp nut was going on far enough to start threading for tightening  :bang: I then dismantled the gland, and experimented with bits of the cut off armour wire - even when only a 1/4 turn was engaged of nut on the tapered grippy thing the wire was too fat  :bang:

I tried another nut - same issue - so time for the Mad Modder approach: I skimmed about 5 thou off the taper, but as the original was taper knurled I did it in steps to maintain the grip. After that it went on first time, clamped up nice and tight. Then at last I could connect it electrically and transfer to the inside end of the cable which went on with no bother in about 20 minutes flat  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 21, 2017, 11:18:42 AM
While I was doing this Darren arrived and completed the apron shuttering and laying the Aco storm drain

Hanson's concrete lorry arranged for 13:00 / 14:00 tomorrow so we should have an apron  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on September 21, 2017, 02:53:13 PM
Funny you should mention swa cable and glands Andrew, I have been doing some 2.5mm and 6.0mm swa recently, and had a real job to get the glands fitted properly, mainly due to the piss poor, only just big enough glands, with huge undercuts at the top of the fixing thread so that the locknuts, which were incredibly badly threaded, and paper thin, screw onto the gland in a wobbly angled fashion, then drop into the undercut and spin freely, meaning you have to find the best locknut you have to secure the gland to the box, and use another two at the top of the thread in the undercut to act as washers! As for getting a good firm grip on the SWA, I know exactly what you mean, they simply will not do it, due to dimensional inaccuracy which goes to the point of believing (possibly correctly) that your supplier has sent the wrong size glands. Perhaps this is why a lot of sparkies are using an extra core as earth, and not trusting the SWA to have good continuity. Did you also notice how hard the plastic insulation was to cut? I could not believe it. I started fitting swa glands about 1970, and have done it on and off ever since, so I know what I am talking about. Recently I fitted a new 3 phase dis board in my own workshop, which involved stripping back the gland and shortening the old  (1974) cable. It was a real trip down memory lane, cable easy to strip, insulation soft and pliable, gland fitted perfectly and really got hold of the swa, even the locknuts fit the threads perfectly, and no undercut to lose a locknut or two into. It is not you Andrew, we have to work with rubbish today, makes me really glad I no longer work full time in the industry!
Phil
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 22, 2017, 11:37:26 AM
I started the day terminating the ends of the CAT5E cable that were pulled in yesterday but as I was doing it we got a call to say that the concrete lorry was 10 mins away - several hours early ! Luckily we were ready for him.

Access wasn't too bad and the lorry load ended up pretty much in the middle where needed, and Darren then shuffled it about a bit with the digger to get it in place. The 6 cu Metre proved to be almost enough - just a couple of mixer loads to finish the fill of the shuttering.After a bit of tamping. Darren had hired a long pole steerable float which proved OK'ish if a little light weight but it got the job done. Final finish was a brush attached to the pole float, and then my edging trowel giving a rounded corner.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: vintageandclassicrepairs on September 22, 2017, 03:49:34 PM
Hi All,

Quote
Perhaps this is why a lot of sparkies are using an extra core as earth, and not trusting the SWA to have good continuity

The use of the SWA screen as the sole earth conductor has not been allowed (in Ireland anyway)
for years  :scratch:

When I had a "real" job, it often included work on SWA cabling installed in the 70's
All these cables had separate earth conductors
Really glad to be out of that game now :D

Recently I was asked to change out the cable to a foot pedal on a press brake
I could not believe how skimpy the shielding and insulation is on the "new" sylflex compared to the old???

John
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 23, 2017, 02:58:11 AM
Although the wire armour is being used as an earth in this run there is also an earth rod as an auxiliary earth as it is quite a long run.

It's four core cable, neutral and three phases, as five core was not available as far as I or my supplier could determine  at the time. However I have subsequently found a source  :bang:

The regulations do allow the use of the armour as a CPC and I used this rather good link as a guide:

https://gadsolutions.biz/regulations/swa-as-the-cpc


The relevant paragraphs of that article are:

The use of SWA as a Protective Conductor BS7671

The permitted types of protective conductor are listed in 543.2.1 and SWA is identified in sub section (v) as:

A metal covering, for example, the sheath, screen, or armouring of a cable.

It can therefore be verified that the SWA can be used as a protective conductor in compliance with BS7671.

However there are conditions on the use of SWA as a protective conductor defined in
BS7671.

1. It must be adequately sized to meet the requirements of section 543.2.1.
2. If the armour is used as a CPC then any accessories have to be connected to the associated enclosure's earth terminal by a separate CPC (flying lead) to comply with 543.2.7.
3. If the SWA is used as a main equipotential conductor other than on a PME system it must have a copper equivalent CSA, for CSAs over 25mm², of not less than half the cross sectional area of the associated earthing conductor and not less than
6mm² to comply with 544.1.1. If the installation is PME then the copper equivalent CSA of the SWA must comply with table 54.8.
4. Where a number of installations have separate earthing arrangements any protective conductors common to these have to be suitably sized to carry the maximum current likely to flow through them OR insulated from the other installation at one end to comply with 542.1.3.3
5. If the SWA is to be used as a combined CPC and main bonding conductor it must meet the requirements of both 544.1.1 and 543.1.1
6. Regulation 521.5.1 permits the use of a separate protective conductor to be run in parallel with an SWA cable.


There are tables in that link (above) giving CSA copper equivalent of various SWA cables and mine is very adequately over sized.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 24, 2017, 06:21:57 AM
Today's task is to commission the new water feed having removed the temporary feed that was necessary to avoid pipes being damaged as the tractor shed was built.

I had tapped the temporary feed off a tap in the field, trenched across a gateway, crossed the stream by just draping the pipe from bank to bank, and brought it into a chicken shed where the original pipe had supplied water. This allowed the chicken and pigs to still have water while the build progressed. The original feed being cut and stopped off in the manhole that I'm using as a marshalling point.

However, as the afternoons job is to slice the bacon, and the flitches need to be rinsed off and dried and left to form a pellicule before chilling and slicing this had to be done first.

Then it was a simple case of isolating the water supply, blanking off the two Tee's where the two water systems were joined, then opening up a few taps and checking for leaks. However first to decide which of the three stopcocks on my distribution manifold was the right one. OK now I've labelled them  :clap:

Then open up the manhole, and mop out the seepage water so when the tap is turned on I can see if there are any leaks.

Then cross fingers and start opening up the feed taps on the new distribution system that runs from the Woodwork Shed underground into the Tractor Shed. Then under the Tractor Shed to the man hole.

Obviously my lucky day - no leaks  :ddb:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 24, 2017, 06:29:14 AM
Then it was just a case of recovering the temporary pipe and returning it to the 'pipe store' for future use.

I've left the bit that I trenched across a gate way in situ as it may well prove useful for a cattle trough in future.

OK those flitches are probably ready to pop into the freezer for a bit to stiffen up before slicing so I'd better go and do it ....
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Biggles on September 26, 2017, 01:04:51 AM
Is that your handy work on the bacon Andrew?  :drool:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 26, 2017, 02:05:18 AM
Oh yes  :clap:

Later that day I sliced and vacuum packed 540 rashers each 6 mm thick. There are always ends of flitches too short for the slicer and misshapen rashers that cannot be packed so lunch yesterday was bacon sandwiches, and although I say it myself this is a particularly good batch  :mmr: :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 26, 2017, 02:41:35 PM
A bit of a clear up and tidy up day today. The Aco storm drain was first fully  flaunched in concrete then using my digger ground rake we sorted the big bits out of the piles of crushed concrete, filled in the trenching either side of the Aco drain, and raked the yard surrounding the apron into a semblance of level.

All this in preparation for an eight wheeler load of 'road planings' that I hope to receive tomorrow to surface the yard where we have disturbed it. The deep raking should allow the old and new to 'key' together.

I also received the plumbing bits allowing me to mount the pressure gauge on the compressed air outlet. Leak tested successfully using my soapy water spray.

I also sorted out the pile of timber used for shuttering that will double up as making temporary benches for the Scraping Class that will be held here in December.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 01, 2017, 11:04:06 AM
Having been pressing for delivery dates for the phantom Road Planings for days now, I got a text message out of the blue today (Sunday) asking if I could take delivery in 20 minutes - too right I can  :lol:

So now I have a nice big heap (20 tons or there abouts) of what look to be nice and fine road planings - only problem, Darren is busy until at least Wednesday  :bang:

Still they are at least here now  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on October 01, 2017, 11:33:35 AM
Have you still got the vibro-roller there to roll that lot in? Should make a great standing if it's packed down hard.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 01, 2017, 12:15:42 PM
Yes we have Darren's twin ride on one and my single roller walk behind one  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 02, 2017, 12:45:32 PM
So kicking my heels not being able to effectively shift this stuff about I got to cogitating - certainly enough to repair what we've mucked up making the tractor shed, but everywhere else is a bit thin and really needs a top dressing. So, while there actually IS a source of this stuff I went ahead and ordered another wagon full - after all it's ONLY £360 a load  :bugeye:

There should be quite a bit left over but it's useful stuff to have to hand. The price has sky rocketed recently as there is a firm taking it straight from the scalping machine at the roadside, and heating and re-tarring it for direct laying as 'black top', and it's rare now to find any not already under contract to them.

So now I have two darn great piles of the stuff to play with  :clap:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: jb3cx on October 02, 2017, 03:38:43 PM
Wow Andrew that's expensive down your way http://madmodder.net/Smileys/default/confused0068.gif.about 4 months ago I was levelling a farm yard ,a bit like yours,we got 10 x 20 ton loads in at £80 a load ,mind you they only had to travel 1/2 a mile .and this was on a Sunday .i also think the place where they were delivering to was closed over the weekend,so I think we were doing them a favour as well ,nice job on the new "tractor shed "
Wonder how long it will be before machines start to make there way in .
Regards
Peter
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 02, 2017, 04:25:08 PM
Behave Peter . . . . . it's a Tractor Shed !

It's £160 per 20 ton load 'off the road' round here IF you can get it, but Conways have most of it stitched up.

Previously I've had the 'fines' ie what they brush up when finished, for free when they did the A21 outside with lorries coming in at 2 and 3 in the morning, But this stuff is coming from miles away !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 09, 2017, 06:11:20 PM
Well I'm pleased to say that today Darren started spreading the hugely expensive road planings - quite a task even with his 6 ton digger. A general spreading around, a bit of levelling up of existing hollows, and quite a bit of weeding. Also an 8 mm 'road plate' (for crossing trenches with plant) had to be moved - this has been propped up against the loading dock for ten years !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 09, 2017, 06:17:57 PM
Meanwhile I'd been offered ten tons of crushed concrete FOC. It'd be rude to refuse  :lol:

By the end of play Daren had shifted the two huge piles and got most of the main farm yard suitably levelled and covered so he decided to start vibro rolling it in and spread the rest down the track past the pigs to the field tomorrow. The plan is to use the crushed concrete to surface an area set aside (and slightly raised) on the field that is used to park various vehicles.

Darren allegedly will return tomorrow afternoon to finish off the road planings
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: tom osselton on October 09, 2017, 09:18:37 PM
This has been a heck of a undertaking well done!
Is the dog looking for where he buried his bone? :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 10, 2017, 02:37:28 AM
Thanks Tom, yes the end of this project is now in sight, but actually it cannot be fully finished until spring next year, as the earth build up round the back of the tractor shed is too wet at the moment to be given its final shape. Anyway it's bound to settle somewhat, there's eight foot of build up in places.,

Max (the dog) always shows a keen interest in what's going on  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: mattinker on October 10, 2017, 03:09:36 AM
Looking forward to seeing all this in December. I've enjoyed following along, it's going to be strange when you've finished and there are no more "new tractor shed" posts!

 :thumbup:

Cheers, Matthew
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: hermetic on October 10, 2017, 03:15:27 PM
Looks really smart Andrew, and much better than paddling through the mud!
Phil.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 10, 2017, 03:42:57 PM
Thanks folks  :thumbup:

Well despite promises, no Darren today - apparently an urgent tractor repair got in the way  :bang: Assurances that he'll be here tomorrow having popped into Hastings to pick up a wacker to do the edges where the roller cannot reach.

Only downside is I'm away all day on a pig inspection into deepest Kent that is going to involve a pub lunch with a couple of pretty girls - it's a hard life but someone has to do it  :lol:

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: jb3cx on October 10, 2017, 04:15:09 PM
Andrew,your man Darren has made a cracking job of grading them planings.especially with that type of machine ,you'd have thought it was don with a blawnox,in the 80s I used to have a small planthire company .i had 3 international 125 drotts and 3 b100 and a couple of old jcb mk 3 .when I was forming up and taking the final grade ,I always had a long railway sleeper which was wider than the bucket .grab it with the 4 in 1 clam ,that made life so much easier.and left a perfect finish just like Darren s

Regards Peter
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 10, 2017, 04:55:54 PM
Yes he's pretty good isn't he - and just gets on with it ! He's done loads of work for me over the past ten years and I have full confidence in him.

No doubt I'll have apoplexy and groan when I get his bill  :lol:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on October 11, 2017, 04:05:21 AM
Hi there, Andrew,

I'd just like to record that I've very much enjoyed following along with this project (as with all your projects!).   :mmr:  :mmr:   :mmr:

Are we now going to have to endure a Mawson famine while you catch up with the farm work and then prepare for and run the scraping class?   :(   :(   :(

Do you know what happened to your CNC lathe?  What is the buyer doing with it? 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: wgw on October 11, 2017, 04:09:23 AM
Many years ago I was paid to take several loads of road scrapings ! Saved them many miles of driving. Very useful stuff. I am trying to find small amount of similar for road repairs here and it is not easy. I have been told that it can no longer be used for farm roads, pollution products ?
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 13, 2017, 07:31:38 AM
There are limits on the volume used rather than an outright ban, and the limit is pretty high.

Yesterday Darren was back and made good progress - the main 'inner yard' is now finished bar a couple of low spots that need raising. The track past the pigs needs a bit of fettling, as does the hard standing outside my 40 foot containers. Then behind the containers is a little yard used to park construction plant by a local builder, and that is going to be scraped off and compacted with the  crushed concrete that we have left. It already is well hard cored, but when it was laid the vibro roller wasn't here so this is an opportunity to do it properly.

He may be back this afternoon but is suffering water supply issues on his farm.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 19, 2017, 03:34:31 PM
I've been away for a few days, and in my absence Darren has finished off the whole yard, the track down to the field, the bit in front of the containers, and the plant storage yard / area behind the containers - he's done a cracking job  :thumbup:

No pictures - it's dark  :clap:

He's also removed all his plant (and I suspect a bit of it was responsible for wiping out one of my security cameras - cast mounting bracket sheared off  :bang: ) - something else to fix !

So now I'll just have to twiddle my thumbs until the spring for the earth build up behind the Tractor Shed to dry off and settle, so that it's final level and shape can be established before seeding and fencing.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: russ57 on October 21, 2017, 05:42:42 AM
Quote
wiping out one of my security cameras - cast mounting bracket sheared off  :bang: ) - something else to fix !


Reprieve... I sense another project coming on... Was starting to suffer awemawson withdrawal...



-russ
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 19, 2018, 09:58:56 AM
The weather is improving and things are drying out, which means I could attempt to shift the stock pile of topsoil from the field to round the back of the Tractor Shed. It was still a bit gloopy, but will dry out far faster now it is piled in 14 pyramids round the shed rather than one massive pile in the field. An estimated 28 tons - probably need a bit more by the time that is spread about.

Went pretty well until I reversed the digger into a Willow Tree and flattened it  :bang: In all fairness it was on it's last legs anyway after a friends cattle had taken a liking to it back end of last year.

We are holding an 'Open Tea' on Sunday in support of the local Hospice (St Michael's) and we are a bit short of outside seating - now a recent visit to the tip liberated a pair of cast iron Bench Ends, just short of the slats - I was sure that I had a big oak beam I could slice up but it must have been used on other projects, so before I started moving earth I sliced up some scaffold planks and gave them a coat of varnish - not as good as oak but they'll last a couple of years or so.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on April 19, 2018, 03:59:41 PM
Aww Andrew you should have told me you were looking for some decent hardwood, I just skipped some huge mahogany window frames this week.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on April 19, 2018, 04:17:27 PM
Hardwood in almost any form is always very welcome Pete  :thumbup:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on May 04, 2018, 09:21:21 AM
There is a bend in the banking behind the shed that not only makes fencing a pain but also makes it a bit narrow at the 'entrance' end to the patch behind the shed. As the bank hasn't been progressively formed and compressed here, to build it up I need some form of retainer. I have four whacking great timber electricity poles that were replaced last year, and the idea is to roll them down against the trees at the bank edge one by one, filing in and compacting earth behind them.

They've been stored in the main field for a while and needed moving before the extra earth comes in or they won't be accessible. So a fill in job today was to move them. Now the JCB803 is happy to lift them trapping them between the dozer blade and the land rake - but these poles are 35 foot long and have to go through a 12 foot gate, so couldn't just drive them through !

The operation consisted of picking them up with the dozer blade one by one, and dropping them on blocks pointing at the gate, then with a choker strop pulling them in reverse up behind the shed. Great fun, one 90 degree turn half way, round a container then up the bank and stack them without ripping the siding off the shed. Got there in the end in time for a late lunch !

. . .now I can order the earth !
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on May 07, 2018, 12:02:02 PM
So Bank Holiday Monday - blazing hot, and I'm felling five trees that interfere with the new fencing round the chicken run as they are tilting alarmingly - once the fence is there they cannot be felled - so  Bank Holiday Monday - blazing hot, and I'm felling five trees that interfere with the new fencing round the chicken run !

Now May Bank Holiday is the 1000 motorbike run from London to Hastings - there are always MANY more than 1000 and they all pass our gate, so it was a great surprise, and pleasure, to see Gary White the 8 wheeler tipper / loader owner haul into the yard braving the traffic with a magnificent 20 ton load of top soil. He had already brought in three loads of subsoil yesterday and suggested he would put this lot behind the subsoil as he knew it would be used last.


Classic case of helping someone (me) and suffering. His 8 wheeler got stuck - badly stuck  :bang: We tried everything - towing with the dumper truck, pulling with my 3 ton digger,, using his loading grab to unbalance the lorry from side to side to try and get scaffold boards under his wheels. No go, he was stuck and stuck he remained  :ddb:

So he called a friend with a JCB Fast Trac massive tractor, and while said friend finished ploughing a field I poured coffee down Gary's throat. OK coffee finished still no Fast Trac, and the traffic queue into Hastings 6 miles away has reached our gate.

Nothing for it but to continue felling trees - poor chap got press ganged into helping  :ddb:

Just got the last tree on the ground with all personnel still alive (surprisingly!) when massive tractor blasts it's way through the queuing cars at the gate and we have some confidence we can get poor old Gary back on the way home.

A big strop, some nice big diesel motor throaty roars, and with almost no apparent effort the wheels that were 9" into the field and skidding are now actually turning and going forward   :clap:

Please can I have a JCB Fast Trac for Christmas ?

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: russ57 on May 09, 2018, 05:02:46 AM
I'm sure you could find one that needs the special awemawson touch... And if you happened to document the progress that would just be Christmas for everyone else...

Russ

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on May 10, 2018, 02:29:33 PM
I was leveling a spot to put the repaired chicken shed using the JCB when I got a call from Gary offering what he reckoned was a 20 ton load of very good top soil. - it would seem rude to refuse  :clap:

Along he came within 15 minutes and sure enough a fantastic quality load that had been someones front lawn that they ripped out to make a parking place - their loss my gain !

Bless him he offered to put it round the back of the sub soil despite  getting stuck last time - but I couldn't risk a repeat performance of what happened on bank holiday Monday !

So dumped it at the front and I set too shifting it up behind the tractor shed

Hugo insisted on helping  :lol:

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on May 10, 2018, 03:40:05 PM
I think Hugo has a nose for this kind of thing...
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 09, 2018, 10:34:48 AM
I decided the time was right to start reinforcing the bank behind the tractor shed and building the bank up to straighten the run for the fencing. I'd hoped to get Darren back to do it, but he's far too busy hay making and I want to shift the earth before the weather breaks.

As he had left it, the bank behind the shed had a curve to it which would make getting a decently taut fence in neigh on impossible. There are convenient large trees at the stream edge, and I'd obtained four massive electricity poles that had been replaced on our field. The plan being to rest them against the trees as retainers, and compact earth behind them, bringing the bank up so that the top was reasonably straight.

Obviously over time the electricity poles will rot, but by that time the Hazel and Willow saplings that I will plant will have rooted and hold it all together.

First job - extend one of the roof drain pipe by 1 metre so it terminates beyond the new barrier. Then carefully roll a pole down the bank - this one was great fun as it had to be slotted under the roof drain - these poles are over 35 foot long and weigh something just over a ton - great fun with just me and the JCB803 - oh for a banksman !

Then I moved 20 tons of earth from the field where I've had it stock piled for some time, and back filled behind the pole.

Second pole was easy by comparison, just roll it into place, poke it with the digger to final location, and start back filling. I've two more poles to do, and about 120 tons of earth to ram behind them, but that's a job for tomorrow as the pigs want feeding

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 10, 2018, 12:21:37 PM
It's important that this build up of earth is well compacted, so I decided to try and get the Benford vibrating roller on it. First question - will it self propel up the 1 in 4 slope up behind the tractor shed - YES amazingly  :ddb:

So now to lower it down onto the level I've so far built up to - JCB 803 took it in it's stride.

Roll third pole into place - poke it in with the digger bucket

Then I brought another 20 tons of earth up in the dumper truck, spread it about and again used the vibrating roller to bed it in well.

The fourth pole has 'run out of tree' to rest it against, so I've sunk some fencing posts in front of the other three poles, and it will have to sit forwards a pole width - no great issue.

Then I needed to shift more earth, but what's left is rather full of rubble - so I started separating it using the pronged 'land rake' on the JCB.

It was as I did a rotate in the cab I noticed the oil slick  :bang:

Oil pouring out of the rear seal of the main three section hydraulic pump, so work has had to stop until a replacement arrives.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Jo on July 11, 2018, 12:14:09 AM
Oil pouring out of the rear seal of the main three section hydraulic pump, so work has had to stop until a replacement arrives.

I wonder if someone overstrained the hydraulics by trying to lift/place something that was a bit heavy for it :poke:

You know it will be better for a nice new set of seals :thumbup:

Jo
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on July 11, 2018, 02:50:25 AM
Jo the pressure relief valve would cope with any overload.

Reconditioned pump on its way ... Only £450 !


Now I need to find clean drums to drain 90 litres of hydraulic oil into
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 18, 2018, 05:46:43 AM
At long last I've managed to spread and level the 120 tons of 'top soil' - well slightly better than the sub-soil that I used for the build up ! And on Thurday raked it to a tilth, seeded it, and raked it again.

The weather was kind to me - the piles of quasi top soil had dried nicely in the recent very hot dry spell, so spread reasonably well,  and just as I was finishing the second raking - raking in the hand sown seed - it started to drizzle, which developed into a reasonably heavy prolonged bit of rain - 7 mm in four hours - absolutely ideal for the seed.

Now my arms are aching from the raking and (oddly) somewhat more from the hand broadcasting of 27.5 kG of grass seed - approximately a domestic dustbin full at 70 grams to the square metre. Why a dust bin - well I had three types of seed that needed mixing and it was slightly more than would fit in the bin!

It now needs to 'establish' and will probably be cut a few times this season, but I will leave it to probably early summer next year before I fence it to give the made up ground time to settle a bit.

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete. on August 18, 2018, 06:13:36 AM
You'll be playing cricket on it next summer :D
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: russ57 on August 20, 2018, 09:01:04 AM
Assuming you have better success than I ever did sowing seed - pretty much a guaranteed way of ensuring a good storm to wash it all away...



Russ

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 20, 2018, 09:36:33 AM
Well Russ, I was very lucky and had a nice gentle bit of rain to start with before it got heavier.

. . . mind you I keep looking every morning and no green shoots yet (it's only four days since sown !!)

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Pete W. on August 20, 2018, 11:57:58 AM
My father used to mix his grass seed with red lead and paraffin.  Probably a No-No these days! 
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 20, 2018, 01:47:00 PM
One of the seed types I bought (Ryegrass I think) was nitrogen treated and dyed green, which made the broadcasting easier (you could more easily see where you had been) but looking for sprouting all I see is green seeds !!!!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: SwarfnStuff on August 21, 2018, 02:44:52 AM
Hi Andrew,
       This thread continues to intrigue.

Something about a watched kettle comes to mind regarding your seed.  :Doh:
 

All the best from Downunder,

John B
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on August 21, 2018, 03:29:57 AM
Well John, the watched kettle is beginning to simmer ! If I look extremely closely this morning there is just the odd wisp of something sprouting - but heck this is only day five.
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: Will_D on August 21, 2018, 05:49:52 AM
. . . mind you I keep looking every morning and no green shoots yet (it's only four days since sown !!)
Been doing a lot of re-seeding of the club pitches. Taking at least 8 days from sowing to first shoots.

I also sow up a small tray as a test piece that the birds cant get at so I know when I should see growth on the pitch. Also depends a lot on rainfall.

Cant believe first game of season is on Saturday!
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 30, 2018, 10:01:54 AM
Grass now well and established having had two cuts with the ride - on mower.

The 100 watt LED Flood Light on the gable end of the tractor shed over the roller shutter door has given problems ever since installation back in August 2017. It has a PIR built in to a flat glass fronted unit. So far five have failed and been replaced but I'm getting fed up having to keep climbing the long ladder to change them. One failed permanently 'on' but the others just failed, no life, nothing.

TLC who supplied the original light have been very good, bringing out a replacement usually the day I report the fault, but they are getting no feed back from the maker as to what the failure mode is. I have a further three identical units without the PIR built in, in the roof of the tractor shed, and, touch wood, all are working just fine.

Now our voltage now a days is pretty well in the middle of the specification at 235 and doesn't vary much, my only thought was that perhaps the PIR inside the unit is susceptible to voltage spikes. Now this lighting circuit is on quite a different feed from the consumer unit than the big loads of motors and welders in the workshop, but never the less just maybe something is getting though. A kind contact on the UK DIY newsgroup sent me a pair of surge arrestors removed from some equipment that he has been working on, so today I mounted one in a box and wired it up.

. . .time only will tell if it makes any difference  :med:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: PekkaNF on September 30, 2018, 03:25:23 PM
You most likely know that he MOV:s has tendency to take a certain amount of hit and then die to short circuit, therefore they should have some sort of fuse attached at front or it thermal fuse tied up with MOV. Most of the commercial units have been tested and build accordingly. Those burn hot.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varistor

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on September 30, 2018, 03:39:58 PM
Thanks for the heads up Pekka, but yes the unit is fused at 3 amps
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: John Swift on October 01, 2018, 06:56:05 AM

having had a bad experience with glass mains fuses
either  exploding or continuing to conduct due to the copper film on the inside of the glass tube

I would use a  3A   1" HRC fuse  ( as used in UK 13A plugs)



     John

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on October 01, 2018, 07:07:26 AM
John,

It's fed via a 5 amp MCB that is solely for this circuit with the one lamp on it, and the entire 3 phase distribution box in which the MCB lives is protected by a 30 mA RCD, so I don't think that there's too much to worry about.

But as I said to Pekka, thanks for the 'heads up'

Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: V8DRUID on March 04, 2020, 06:51:56 PM
well Andrew ... just read this start to finish ..... what a great thread and well documented project ....  :D  :nrocks:

45' x 40' is just what I'm aiming for, but would like 16' at the eaves .... where did you get that made? can you recall a rough idea of the cost  ... presumably this included all the roof and side cladding as a package?
stunning shed .... and a huge amount of work to get it that way  :clap: :clap:  :thumbup: :bow:
Title: Re: New Tractor Shed
Post by: awemawson on March 05, 2020, 03:05:23 AM
Thanks Graeme, yes it was quite a journey!

I had it as a ‘turn key’ package from Darren, so he did the ordering and presumably added his mark up. The entire thing came on two lorries from Cheshire.

In the end the total cost was about £45000 if I remember correctly, but the polished concrete floor was £10K of that..