Hammock Post

[Iplayfarmer]

First of all I have to praise my tractor for yet another use. I've been parking it near the tree house and hanging the two hammocks from the ROPS. This is a temporary solution at best. I bought some 2" and 2.5" metal square tubing so that I can replace the tractor with a metal post that is removable. The plan is to plant the 2.5" tubing in concrete in the ground (with a measure of gravel and maybe sand at the bottom to allow for drainage). The 2" tube will then slide into the 2.5" socket. The idea is that the post can hold the hammocks when needed, and then be removed when not in use so as not to obstruct other activities in the back yard.

How far down should I put the 2.5" tubing?

The balance is between the stability of the removable post and ease of removing it. Every inch adds another 6 ounces to the weight and is that much more awkward for my wife or kids to pull out of the ground.

Has anyone done something like this? What depth do you think is good?

Thanks.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Well, I did some figuring on my own and decided to go with 18" for the depth of the socket. I dug the hole the full depth of my 3 point post hole auger attachment (4') and then filled the hole with large gravel up to within 18" of the top. I put the same large gravel around 9" of the post. Then I filled the top 9" with a single back of concrete. I think the socket depth is plenty. I do wonder if I should have used more concrete, though. This post supports two hammocks in a triangle type configuration, and when both are occupied the concrete moves by about 1/4" within the hole.

I've attached a few pictures of the finished project for reference.

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks nice and clean. I've never been a fan of hammocks. I get on it and two minutes later, I'm done. But I like how you have two of them next to each other. How long do you use them for?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

The wife and kids will spend all afternoon in there. Having the two together helps it be more of a social experience. I can enjoy a half hour or so laying in a hammock visiting with someone, but then I'm stir crazy and off to tinker with something else.

 

[jmc]

ROPS: Recreational Oriented Provisional Structure.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

ROPS: Recreational Oriented Provisional Structure.

Ha, ha!! That's so right.

 

[JethroB]

:thumbsup:

Very creative, with both the ROPS usage and post design.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

:thumbsup:

Very creative, with both the ROPS usage and post design.

Thanks. As time goes on it continues to lean a little more. I think I'm going to have to reinforce the concrete base some. Stay tuned.

 

[ruffdog]

Thanks. As time goes on it continues to lean a little more. I think I'm going to have to reinforce the concrete base some. Stay tuned.

Yeah, with 2 hammocks pulling on it, I would say you would need at least 12" and 4 feet deep worth of concrete....if not more. I normally use trees for hammocks and the lateral forces are tremendous with one hammock, let alone 2.

 

[jmc]

I normally use trees for hammocks and the lateral forces are tremendous with one hammock, let alone 2.

It might be an urban legend but the story goes about two adjacent frat houses and only on keg of beer. So they tied a rope between the two houses, suspended the keg from a trolley on the rope, and intended to pass the keg back and forth. As the keg approached the halfway point, the rope pulled down one house wall. Like a hammock...