Pole Barn

Nissan197 · Oct 6, 2009

Well I have been shopping around for a company to build a 40 X 50 pole barn with a 15ft shed. I think I am going to go with a company out of Oklahoma (USA Barn). They seem like a good company and are very friendly and quick in answering questions and getting quotes out to me. From others who have used them they seem very happy. I just now need to plot where I want the building and have the wife choose the colors. Then I need to get the area level, which I am a little nervous about. I think I can use a line level with no problem, but I am sure there are steps that need to be taken such as removing the topsoil and then using lime dust and then AB3 gravel to finish it off. I don't think it will take much to get level, but never doing it I am probably way off. I plan on getting 2 10 X 10 doors, 2 walk doors, 2 or 3 windows, insulated, and 4 to 6 skylights. I will pour a floor later. If anyone has any recommendations please let me know. Thanks.

buckeyefarmer · Oct 6, 2009

I use a transit level, but you can do with string level pretty easy also. mark outside the approximate corners of the barn with stakes. mark a line on the highest stake. run a line level from the highest stake mark and mark level on the other 3 lower stakes. you should now have a level mark on all 4 corners. you can pull strings between the level marks if you want, as a guide for the FEL as you remove dirt. Remove dirt keeping the entire area the same distance down from your level mark. hope this is what you were looking for.

Erik_in_Hoyt · Oct 6, 2009

I'd suggest a water level - that way you don't have to worry about string sag or wind.
yes, you need to remove the topsoil.
up here the excavators suggest "pit sand" as a base if you'll be adding concrete later - but I've also used agrilime in a pole barn in the past and had good results with that.

good luck!

dave1949 · Oct 6, 2009

Some other TBN'ers buiding pole barns, etc. have made the comment that it is good to have a door high enough to drive in a large camper/RV. That made sense to me, don't know if it applies to your project.

10' high would be enough for most utility ag tractors with a cab. The mid-size (70-100 HP) seem to spec at 102" - 108" from what I have seen on line.

Anything road legal for interstate travel would be under 13'6". I think their reasoning is for another 4', you have barn that holds about anything you may own in the future and/or you would be able to rent or lease storage space.

I have a 28 X 48 garage with 8'-6" door clearance, I think that was short sighted planning on my part.

Just food for thought.

Dave.

bpsooner · Oct 7, 2009

Nissan197 said:
Well I have been shopping around for a company to build a 40 X 50 pole barn with a 15ft shed. I think I am going to go with a company out of Oklahoma (USA Barn). They seem like a good company and are very friendly and quick in answering questions and getting quotes out to me. From others who have used them they seem very happy. I just now need to plot where I want the building and have the wife choose the colors. Then I need to get the area level, which I am a little nervous about. I think I can use a line level with no problem, but I am sure there are steps that need to be taken such as removing the topsoil and then using lime dust and then AB3 gravel to finish it off. I don't think it will take much to get level, but never doing it I am probably way off. I plan on getting 2 10 X 10 doors, 2 walk doors, 2 or 3 windows, insulated, and 4 to 6 skylights. I will pour a floor later. If anyone has any recommendations please let me know. Thanks.

Nissan197,

I recently had two pole barns built. Like you I shopped around and looked at USA Barns. I went with a company out of Tahlequah, Ok that builds a lot of barns in Kansas. The Company's name is Diamond H Construction. They were very good to work with and did me an outstanding job. They beat every quote I received from USA Barns.