Can I do concrete projects myself?

[czechsonofagun]

10x10 pad 3.5" thick is about maximum I pour myself, working single with a HF mixer. It is doable, but not like one in the morning and second one in the afternoon - one a day is plenty, thank you

Anything bigger is better to call in a ready mix, it is hard to be more cost effective than they are. And preparation takes more time than the pour itself.

 

[charlz]

Concrete is a terrible job to do... I'm cheap but I would hire out any concrete work. Call around to some local guys and ask for their 'cash' price Given the way construction and the economy are going this might be a great time to get some concrete work done.

 

[Egon]

Concrete and young backs equate!

 

[Redneck in training]

Concrete work is not complicated but as somebody mentioned physically as well as time demanding (especially while using small mixer). If you would enjoy the workout and have the time go for it. It is fun work. Also calculate how much is delivery of sand and cement. You might find that to buy concrete isn't much more expensive. Last time (three years back) we ordered some limestone for our driveway. 14 tons delivered about 20 miles cost us around 240 USD.
Somebody mentioned using tiles. My wife and I built a patio and walk way while back. We used crashed limestone as underlying material. I thought we did very good job but two seasons later it was all crocked as the ground under the tiles settled. So we pulled all the tiles off, removed about 1 to 1.5 inch of the limestone while making sure that what was left was disturbed as little as possible. Then we spread a layer of dry quickcrete and laid the tiles back. After that I just hosed all down to cure the concrete. Now we have walkway that looks good and so far is very solid.
If you use tiles make sure they are all from the same batch (pallet) otherwise they might vary slightly in size and will be difficult to align with each other.
Sorry got carried away and forgot that this forum is about tractors.

 

[Redneck in training]

Just recalled. Four years back when we built our house square foot of concrete slab 6 inches minimum thick with rebars cost us about 8 USD

 

[jamestaylor72]

Being Italian, I have been involved in a fair amount of concrete work.


LMAO

 

[Reg]

On the PHYSICAL question; watch the pros.
They have the pour directed a bit uphill and let it "come to them", they don't work it that much.
Don't wear yourself out trying to move it with rakes and shovels, a good delivery truck guy will work with you to minimize your work.

I think about the only point missed was to be sure to include........ hmmmm, forgot the name.
I guess they're stress relief lines ?
The point is that there WILL be stress and you want to allow big slabs to break if they have to where you prefer, so every so often put the shallow grooves across that make it look like paving slabs. I think its every 4 ft., but check on that.
Someone help me with vocabulary here ?

 

[RobA]

Can't you get redi-mix you pick up in a towable trailer and pour yourself? I've seen that mentioned somewhere on TBN and thought it would be a good compromise to getting concrete delivered and having it poured.

 

[Reg]

Can't you get redi-mix you pick up in a towable trailer and pour yourself? I've seen that mentioned somewhere on TBN and thought it would be a good compromise to getting concrete delivered and having it poured.

THAT is a lot of work if you don't have a mixer.
With your tractor 3 or 4 80 lb bags dumped in the FEL bucket takes a LOT of hard hand work to mix thoroughly with a shovel.
Nice and easy to drive it to where you want to pour it, as long as you plan farthest first, but the mixing is what will tire you.

 

[CurlyDave]

Can't you get redi-mix you pick up in a towable trailer and pour yourself? I've seen that mentioned somewhere on TBN and thought it would be a good compromise to getting concrete delivered and having it poured.

Around here, 6-sack redi-mix is $129/ yard in a towable trailer with a small gas engine to keep it turning.

The same material in a concrete truck is $100/yard. If you get less than 2.5 yards, there is a $50 short load charge. The real concrete truck has a chute for concrete placement, and is just much easier to work with.

Essentially, if I need 3/4 yard or less, it is the towable trailer, 1 yard or more, concrete truck.

I only mix it in a mixer if it is less than about 1/4 yard.

Reg:

I don't think anyone is proposing to mix sacks in a FEL or a wheelbarrow with a shovel.

Redi-mix is usually wet, premixed concrete. Getting it into forms and finishing it is still very demanding physical labor.