Thanks for the comments; I'll try to address each.
KennyG, Thanks, while I don't go around looking for work I'm not afraid of it either. But I really was happy just waiting for the neighbor to come with his bobcat. :laughing: Leaving dirt around the hydrant does not bother me for the fact that the only time we use it is to water the cows, and it's dry
Deere Dude, I'm not sure if I understand what you are asking/telling me. But I could not afford to raise the concrete height at all. That is why we dug down, head room is already limited. Basically the finished concrete should be where the dirt level was maybe even a little lower.
As far as the concrete cracking around the post, no offense to anyone that has posted so far; but I don't care if it cracks a little. It will always have hay on it. How good does a hay storage barn have to be? :laughing:
Eddie, The truth behind putting concrete in there is this; a year ago I was shoveling some BS (literally) out of the barn. I stepped back and my foot was on the existing concrete but hanging off and my ankle bent right over to the ground. (dirt) Nothing broken, but it was swollen for weeks and still is not as strong as it used to be. We purposely run ourselves low on hay just so we could do the concrete work. Usually there is always plenty of hay in there. I want a flat surface so I don't twist another ankle.
I'm kind of with you on the water vapor barrier thing. But it's not much at all to put down a barrier so I'll just do it. After all I've been using a tarp for 15 plus years under the hay. I have not had a problem with moisture yet. With the exception of baling with too much moisture content.
Countrybumpkin, I think I already addressed the issue. I will make the surface level with the concrete around the hydrant.
RNeumann, going with your suggestion and putting down a vapor barrier.
So along with the concrete inside I'll pour more outside where the cows stand to eat. It'll be about 6-8 feet wide by 21 feet long. I need to wait a few more days and let it dry some more. Very muddy and soft where they stand to eat.
I do want to frame up a counterweight for the Kioti so I can fill it with the cement truck while it's there. Seems a lot easier than bags.