Removing dirt and going with concrete for barn.

cat fever · May 5, 2017

Update;
Road base has been put in and compacted so we are ready for concrete which may get done today, if not then Monday.
Also will fill the ballast box. I'm looking most forward to having the ballast box more so than the concrete to stack hay on.

PJSprog · May 5, 2017

We've been talking about doing this in our pole barn as well, Lynn. Looking forward to seeing your results.

Soldier415 · May 5, 2017

Following

TNhobbyfarmer · May 5, 2017

Another dirt floor pole barn here. I hate walking through the dew, getting boots wet, walking on the dry powdery dirt, then needing to go back into the house. Makes for a muddy mess.

Since this is at my remote property away from where I reside, it's not as major a problem as it could be. I'm going to put gravel down in the next month or so and see if that is enough to satisfy me. If that doesn't work to my satisfaction, I'll probably bite the financial bullet and get concrete. It's only $, and as they say, you can't take it with you.

fried1765 · May 5, 2017

cat fever said:
Update;
Road base has been put in and compacted so we are ready for concrete which may get done today, if not then Monday.
Also will fill the ballast box. I'm looking most forward to having the ballast box more so than the concrete to stack hay on.

Be CERTAIN to use 6mil thick poly, at a minimum, for your vapor barrier.
The thinner (cheaper) stuff is easily damaged during the pour.

cat fever · May 5, 2017

fried1765 said:
Be CERTAIN to use 6mil thick poly, at a minimum, for your vapor barrier.
The thinner (cheaper) stuff is easily damaged during the pour.

Noted, thanks.

Deere Dude · May 5, 2017

TNhobbyfarmer said:
Another dirt floor pole barn here. I hate walking through the dew, getting boots wet, walking on the dry powdery dirt, then needing to go back into the house. Makes for a muddy mess.

Since this is at my remote property away from where I reside, it's not as major a problem as it could be. I'm going to put gravel down in the next month or so and see if that is enough to satisfy me. If that doesn't work to my satisfaction, I'll probably bite the financial bullet and get concrete. It's only $, and as they say, you can't take it with you.

I have a 40x60 barn that had a dirt floor where water would run through it and make mud. The barn is an old 60yo building and crooked so I just put 4-8" of road gravel in it and it did wonders to my attitude when I go in it. Concrete would still be nice but hate to stick a lot of money in a real old building.

cat fever · May 6, 2017

Deere Dude said:
I have a 40x60 barn that had a dirt floor where water would run through it and make mud. The barn is an old 60yo building and crooked so I just put 4-8" of road gravel in it and it did wonders to my attitude when I go in it. Concrete would still be nice but hate to stick a lot of money in a real old building.

After the road base was compacted I was thinking "heck this is good enough" it was flat and hard. I am looking forward to getting it done though. Looks like it will be Monday morning.

cat fever · May 9, 2017

So we were able to pour the floor yesterday. (and fill the ballast box)
Everything looks great. I do have a question. How long should I let the ballast box sit before hooking it to the tractor? I pulled the wood off today, super green still. I was thinking about a week, what say the group?
Here's a few shots of the work.