I've taken down quite a few, most were stave, or tile.
I had some troubles a time or two, but as a youngster I learned from watching my dad. He once had a small one, notched it like normal, and all was well till it started down. It was a tile silo, and the farmer always threw manure up on the side of it in the summer months till he could get a full spreader load. That made it rotten, and it went sideways as the tile crumbled. The story has a happy ending as no one got hurt.
Another time I had a real short stubby silo, again tile. It was notched real well, but when it started down, it wasn't top heavy enough so it dropped into the pit at about a 45 degree angle and stoped. We had a seven there, but when we hooked to the silo ladder, it just kept pulling out the ladder rungs. We ended up taking a cable clear around and then pulled with the seven. It actualy took a prety good tug.
I would not think twice about yours, if you get tired of swinging, just go at it again another day. I would make the notch like felling a tree, but the notch should be at least three ft upward. The high notch will make breaking out the rest simpler. I always went from the notch clockwise for the first half, then counter clockwise for the second half. I did this because I swing right handed, and it was better for me to get away faster. (just a preferance).
With a poured concrete, you may want to take a cement saw and cut your intended notch, and around both sides. The remaining 2" will keep it upright, then you only have to bust the remaining two inches with your sledge hammer. You will be already through the rebar probably because the rebar are outward of the center. Most handheld saws will cut 4" with a 14 inch blade.
Make certian you make your notch at waist high so it is comfortable swinging. You have a real big four hrs at least with two good armed guys I would guess.
However I have only taken down a few poured ones. There is no need to cut the rebar other than for busting out ease. The weight will shove them downward real fast. I have never had the oppertunity to use the big bang method as there are usualy other buildings in the wrong area.
If you are going tooooo clean up the mess, make sure you level off the landing strip before you drop it. That will make clean up simpler, and not have to move as much dirt to get under the concrete pile.
At one project with a poured silo, we piled some concrete that had been jackhamered out of another building. This will help bust up your silo when it lands on the pile. That of course is not neded with a stave or tile unit.
Most important is to have a clutter free escape for the road runners path, and hopefuly there will not be a dark shadow above that path when it drops.
And for darn sure, this is not the place for hollering wolf. The spotter must be a trustworthy person that will give undivided attention, avoid cloudy days when the clouds make it appear as if it is moving. Keep the wife in the house as you need not listen to the constant screams to distract you, and make sure it is not windy so you can listen to any noise. It will talk to you as it starts to drop.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - New Life for an Old Allis - by Tyler Woods. My friend Jon, has an old '39 Allis Chalmers B. He thought it a marginal tractor that had long since served its time. She smoked terribly and never had much power but he couldn't afford another so he was limping along with what he had. Jon's Allis has a small front loader and though it doesn't carry much, it serves his needs. It was the hard starting and low power that made him think it was time to replace the old girl. Jon called me to help him discover why his tractor wouldn't start
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
Sell 1958 Hi-Altitude Massey Fergerson tractor, original condition. three point hitch pto engine, Runs well, photos available upon request
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
