Do You Have a Tractor Shed/Barn?

[keony]

Old isn't bad! My tractors are kept in an old carriage barn, that was already coming up on 200 years old, when yours was built.


Dirt floor = damp interior and rust, once enclosed. How do you plan to ventilate, if you're closing in the ends? I understand wanting to keep rain and snow out, but I'd want to ensure substantial airflow, to keep interior dry.

I get that for sure, my current old shed is dirt floor. I'll make it work, part of the fun.

 

[WinterDeere]

I've seen guys post about throwing down a plastic or foam moisture barrier, and then back-filling over that with sand then crushed stone, when building these. I've never tried it myself, seems like there's lots of potential for the barrier to get damaged, but maybe still better than bare earth? Not sure if that's an option, at your present point of construction, or if it's just not worth the hassle at this point.

 

[keony]

I've seen guys post about throwing down a plastic or foam moisture barrier, and then back-filling over that with sand then crushed stone, when building these. I've never tried it myself, seems like there's lots of potential for the barrier to get damaged, but maybe still better than bare earth? Not sure if that's an option, at your present point of construction, or if it's just not worth the hassle at this point.

Actually I excavated, laid down heavy vinyl, and built the base with RC6 (recycled concrete). We shall see how it works out.

 

[WinterDeere]

Actually I excavated, laid down heavy vinyl, and built the base with RC6 (recycled concrete). We shall see how it works out.

Nice! Definitely post back, if you remember. I'm interested in this for an upcoming project, as well.

 

[keony]

Nice! Definitely post back, if you remember. I'm interested in this for an upcoming project, as well.

I will...if I remember but I'll probably brag when the ends are done. The RC6 handles well and sets up quite firm. We'll see how the moisture management works out.

 

[RayIN]

60' x 40' x 15' w/ concrete floor. sliding door is 20' x 14' built by Davis County Metal Sales. Ridge skylight.

 

[ultrarunner]

I need this or 2 even better!

 

[BackRoad]

I'm told by our local code enforcer (in rural Northern PA) that an ag building 36' wide or less does NOT require an architect stamped design blueprint, but it still needs to be code inspected...

Length or height is not a determinant.

Wider than 36' requires a blueprint with a licensed architect signature and stamp. I understand the intent, but it is too much government oversight just to build a pole barn!

 

[rockinbbar]

Actually I excavated, laid down heavy vinyl, and built the base with RC6 (recycled concrete). We shall see how it works out.

It'll be alright.

If condensation becomes a problem in wet or humid weather, you can always add vents.

 

[WinterDeere]

Wider than 36' requires a blueprint with a licensed architect signature and stamp. I understand the intent, but it is too much government oversight just to build a pole barn!

Probably mostly due to liability of collapse due to things like snow and wind load. When I did the expansion and 2nd floor addition on my carriage barn, I actually started with the structural engineer before even going to the township, just assuming this would be the first thing the township would request. I was really surprised how cheap it was, I think the engineering firm only charged me $500 in 2015, for a whole bunch of calculations along with a full set of stamped plans. I suspect I may have supplied them with plans of the existing structure in AutoCAD, which may have saved me a bunch, but it's too long ago to remember now whether that was the case.

I was removing a key structural timber from a timberframe barn, in order to add a second floor within the existing space. The engineers figured out a way to make this possible, namely building up load-bearing interior walls in the gable ends, adding a 30 long LVL ridge beam (the original barn had none), and then adding a pair of posts on piers in the center of each long wall, to carry another pair of LVL's supporting the floor structure. They also calculated the load bearing capability of the old early 18th-century stacked stone footers, based on measurements from my own excavation. Quite a bit of work, and I honestly don't know how they did it all at the price I was charged.

Point is, it may not be as bad as you expect it to be, and they may even offer some ideas you wouldn't consider on your own. In my particular case, the township surprised me, saying they weren't even "going to bother" writing up a permit for the work. The old zoning officer was a bit of a character, I'm sad he's retired since then.