Work is well under way to get my workshop built. The skeleton of the building was first up, building all the framing and supports for everything to rest on. This took them around a week to do. Now I can see it all coming together, before it was just a dirt pad waiting for construction. But seeing it all assembled now it gives my mind a lot to think about how I will be placing things inside. Really looking forward to using this building, it will be a good place to store my tractor and its attachments. And will make a good workshop once I get everything moved in.
Material has been dropped off on a near daily basis. Sometimes its timber, other times its truck loads of gravel but all building materials to get the construction done. The lumber quickly disappeared from the pallets and was all added to the assembly of the building.
It started off drilling holes over six feet deep and dropping twenty foot posts inside to make the vertical supports. These massive 6x6's looked like quite the job to do. The workers were joking about how if you fall into one of those holes for the supports you may need a hand to get out.. haha
We can see some of those massive 6x6 timbers, glad I did not need to move those myself. Just doing my solar project with 8 foot 6x6s was enough.. lol
A few dozen truck loads of gravel was used at the base of the foundation, concrete will be poured over once all of it is spread out. This is just one of many truck loads that was delivered. These dump trucks drove between local quarry's to pick up the needed gravel. I had the opportunity to visit one recently and I must say it is quite the experience getting a load of rock just dropped into your truck bed.
Once the posts are in the ground they filled with concrete, and used support beams to make sure they did not move while setting. It can take a day or more for the concrete to be strong enough to support itself. Soon the last side will be enclosed.
Looking at one of the corners, we can see how much dirt was added to this area for the building. I was honestly not expecting this, and something to always consider when a large building is constructed.
My farm hand spent the day moving dirt over to the side that was the most exposed. It was the first day we rented the skid steer so that really worked out.
Lots of hard clay, took awhile to break ground. But eventually we got down into the earth and moved a few dozen loads of dirt over by the size up on the hill.
The horizontal beams were added a few days after the concrete set. Also helps them climb up the side. Amazing how they can just use the timbers as steps.
The trusses were delivered later in the week, this is the pre-built roof that will go on. Hah all those hardwoods sure look sad during the winter, but do not worry they will wake up soon enough and be full of flowers and leaves.
So many big trucks coming through, hah was not expecting a big rig too. Hah look at that pine tree behind, that was up against the two massive oak trees that had to be cut down. So now theres half a pine with all this room where two hardwoods used to be. Pines do not drop their leaves in the winter, but I do hope it grows back to the other side.
The way they took the trusses off I was not expecting, they dragged it off with the skid steer as the big rig drove forward.
A short animation of them driving it off.
Safely on the ground, it was up to the builder now to get them up in the air and mounted.
Seeing them put the trusses up was pretty amazing, they used their skid steer with a large boom to get the reach they needed. I was working on the deer fence enclosure while they were doing work over on the workshop.
We can see them lifting one here. My red Maple tree is budding right above in the photo.
Dragging it up and then using the hydraulics of the skid steer to get it up high.
They did it again and again, until all the trusses were up. Took them around a day to get them up, amazing how quickly they work. Some local boys doing great work. Really happy with their construction.
Not sure how many times I will say this, but wow was not expecting that.. I thought they were going to rent a crane or something. I had no idea there even was such an attachment for a skid steer.
Adding more supports once up keeps it from blowing over. With high winds during this time it was something needed to be done right away.
Now we can see all those truck loads of gravel has added up. Making for a covered floor, but soon concrete will go on top.
The service door and the larger door for machinery. I should have a lot of room, over 13 feet of overhead clearance and 16 foot wide doors. I am building this to house farm equipment so I will need lots of space to get through. Using trailers and long attachments I never know how much space I may need. So going extra wide I hope works in my favor for the work doors.
Both of the door openings can be seen, this way I can just drive through the building using both doors.
Its great to see it all coming together, soon we will only be able to see the framing from the inside.
The moon made an appearance this morning, hanging out just above the building before it got too bright outside.
Now with the trusses mounted it is time to add the moisture barrier and roofing. But with the recent high winds during the day we must wait until things calm down weather wise, but soon it will be time to cover the top and then pour the concrete floor. After the concrete sets the siding goes up and its just about done.