I need advice on making a concrete pad

[Looking4new]

IF one of you is an experienced concrete person, and you used Sakrete premixed bags, then maybe 2 people could do it.

The game plan is to use the Sakrete premixed and a 3 point mixer on the back of my Kioti. There are other cement jobs coming up, but this one is first. For the chicken house pour, I used a rental machine. The first one wasn't bad but the second one was a piece of crap and wouldn't stay running. The rental company didn't have a replacement mixer so I dealt with the crappy one and vowed that if I ever needed another mixer I would get my own. Which is where I am at now. 3-Point Hitch Cement Mixer | Princess Auto

 

[Tractor Seabee]

If wire mesh is not fastened to chairs and you walk in the wet concrete, forget it. It will never be where it is supposed to be for strengthening. Same with rebar, put on chairs and do not walk in the stuff, just on top of it. For a non-load bearing surface, mixed on site like the OP plans, you get what you get. Whole lot of variables to contend with. Solid sub-grade well compacted is the key, the concrete will do what the sub-grade does. Clay is the poorest type sub-grade as it expands when wet and shrinks when dry. Ready mix is the best for quality control; add fiber and air in controlled amounts (forget mesh or re-bar). Hot weather; do not add extra water on site, use water reducing additive instead to increase work-ability; shade from the sun, and keep wet for a week. Slab this small will not need control joints.

Yee-ol concrete placement inspector, Ron I follow the precepts of ACI.

 

[blackrams]

Will only repeat this one time. I don't care who they are, either hire some help or ask double the amount of friends you think you're going to need. I've learned this from experience. Never hurts to let everyone know there will be free food and beer afterward.

Rams :drink: