Throwing framed walls

[Anonymous Poster]

Has anyone modified their loader to throw framed walls up. I will be starting a shop in spring and am wondering if I might be able to throw some of the smaller walls with my tractor.

I have a 4300JD w/loader and the bottom of the loader is at about 7-3/4-feet at full extension. Being that minimum wall size is 8-feet (and I might even build w/10-foot walls) and the walls have to go on a 1-foot stem wall, is there a way to make this happen? I read recently about the guy putting up the pole barn with his FEL. Has anyone made this modification? Pictures?

Thanks, Tracy

 

[crb478]

I have never stood walls with a loader, but have used them to set beams in place. I don't think that there would be any problem using a loader or even just a tractor to raise walls though.
If it were me I would frame the walls where they needed to be stood and then nail strapping ( the kind lumber or brick are delivered in ) to the bottom cord to the wall and to the inside floor so the wall could not slide off the floor as it is being lifted. Next I would brace the top of the wall with a additional 2x near the top on the inside of the wall and running perpendicular to the studs. I would attatch a chain to the extra 2X's and to the tractor and pull the tractor away slowly raising the wall. Stop the tractor before the wall is totally vertical and then brace the wall plumb from inside.
For long walls you would need more than one attachment point but it would probably be best to have at least two points on any walls. I would also inset diagonal bracing in the ends of the walls to keep the wall from racking. If the wall is shaken up too much you might as well just reframe it.
Hope this helps, I am not sofisticated enough to send any pictures.

 

[crb478]

just re read your post where you are setting the wall on 1 foot stem walls. Just keep your wall lengths less then about 12 foot sections and screw the 2X material at least 2/3 up on the wall. If needed you can attatch a gin pole to your loader for height. Then with a helper set the wall up. Only lift on the added 2X and dont rack it and you should be fine.

 

[kcbarnes]

Here is a pic. If you can get a hold of some forks- no problem,I set all my walls by myself this spring for our garage. most were 12' and the rest were 8' sitting on a 4' retaining wall. With hydro I could set the wall right over the anchor bolts with ease. If no forks you could probably make something up. kinda what you said crb478?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Excellent suggestions guys. I looks like the most important part is the blocking (between studs) used to hold the wall high enough to place on the stem walls. As far as racking goes, I could shear and square the walls before the raise. This might make it tougher to lift though. I've got all winter to mull this over.

Tracy