advise please: difficult workshop build

[oldboyscout]

I'm trying to build a small workshop on a "pay as I go" budget. I was going to pour a floating slab and put a metal carport/garage (TNT style) on it.
the current problem is I realized I can't get a cement truck closer than about 75'. So I know pouring the pad is going to get expensive.
So I'm wondering if an option would be, to dig postholes and pour piers to put the garage on, and then pour the pad in sections by hand later.
any thoughts?

 

[/pine]

One option is a "concrete buggy"...

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en....0....0...1ac.1.51.img..0.14.1748.XGVu0dTX8Yg

 

[mfreund]

I would pour the slab in 1 section, then cut the relief in. I think it would be very hard to get good results pouring is stages by hand. It could be done. It would be easier to find a solution to getting the concrete the last 75 ft. Do you have a loader for your tractor?

 

[oldboyscout]

concrete buggy-hadn't thought of that. If inured I would be looking at a lot of money for pumping.
I do have a loader, but that would be a lot of trips-wouldn't it? Only a B2620-maybe 1000 lbs safely per trip.

 

[mfreund]

I was thinking it would be easier and faster than a wheel barrow!

 

[J_J]

Why not use a cement pumper,

The cement truck dumps into the pumper unit and that unit feeds cement a good distance away.

It is fast also.

Concrete Pumping: services and pricing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLph5x9pWgk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAxVUTKbkyE

Notice also the portable vibrater.

 

[GPintheMitten]

How big a slab and how thick? I used the concrete buggy for a 14 X 22 once. It worked fine. Cheaper than a pumper. But you really have to have enough labor available to dedicate one guy to buggy and a couple guys to spread until you get it placed. Then he can help with screeding etc.

They won't wait for slow placement without charging you.

You might ask your ready mix supplier what they recommend.

 

[oldboyscout]

18x24 x 4" (3 1/2?") maybe a little bigger.
I haven't priced pumping, but I heard it's expensive. Everything's expensive here.
I heard about onsite mix also, but it's not available here.

 

[GPintheMitten]

18x24 x 4" (3 1/2?") maybe a little bigger.
I haven't priced pumping, but I heard it's expensive. Everything's expensive here.
I heard about onsite mix also, but it's not available here.

I would look into buggies. Im not aware but maybe there's something you could pull with your tractor.

 

[TnAndy]

Guy here does pumping for $400 for 4 hours. (that is his minimum charge also). Tow behind truck unit, has couple hundred feet of hose. Nice thing about using him is placement is so exact, you can do the pour with just two guys ( in addition to his guy on the hose ). Just screet it as you go, and his guy keeps the concrete right where you need it, but not too much. It's worth paying him just for the ease of pouring.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Go to you tube and search for concrete buggy. You'll see how they work. If you can find it I would get a tracked one rather than wheels if the terrain is uneven.

 

[oldboyscout]

the concrete would have to moved down a short, moderately steep hill on a gravel drive.

 

[GPintheMitten]

the concrete would have to moved down a short, moderately steep hill on a gravel drive.

For comparison info, here's a link to a rental place close to me. This wheeled buggy rents for $70/day.

BUGGY CONCRETE 16 CU FT INV Rentals Burton MI, Where to Rent BUGGY CONCRETE 16 CU FT INV in Flint MI, Burton MI and Genesee County

Check your local places, see what they have and what they advise. If you haven't already, I would ask your concrete supplier what they recommend.

Do you have help available?

 

[GPintheMitten]

the concrete would have to moved down a short, moderately steep hill on a gravel drive.

Why can't the concrete truck drive down the gravel drive? Are there overhead clearance issues?

 

[oldboyscout]

the drives are narrow intended for my tractor and gear, not full driveways

 

[fordmantpw]

I would use a pumper truck. The contractors used one when pouring our basement floor and it was well worth the $625 according to them since they didn't have to drag the concrete around as much and you can pour it with less labor. There is a minimum $500 charge around here. I'm not sure how big your slab will be, but in the end, the additional charge will probably be worth it.

 

[burnieman]

I'm trying to build a small workshop on a "pay as I go" budget. I was going to pour a floating slab and put a metal carport/garage (TNT style) on it.
the current problem is I realized I can't get a cement truck closer than about 75'. So I know pouring the pad is going to get expensive.
So I'm wondering if an option would be, to dig postholes and pour piers to put the garage on, and then pour the pad in sections by hand later.
any thoughts?

Dump the concrete off the truck into your FEL and move it that way. Should go pretty quick? Easier than a wheelbarrow.

 

[oldboyscout]

I'll try to get on the phone today to get an estimate.
It sure would be nice to get the slab poured and get the metal garage bolted down, and be done with it.

 

[GPintheMitten]

With a 18 x 24 x 4 your slab it calculates to 5.3 yards.

I think it depends on how much good help you got. 2 strong helpers who know what they are doing I would buggy it. But if you don't have good strong help or not enough guys, it might be worth $400-500 for a pumper. But a buggy for less than $100 or a pumper for whatever, to me it's not a slam dunk for a pumper. Depends on how much work you can do (with help).

 

[GPintheMitten]

Regarding using your loader, remember this is a heavy product so you don't want to tip over and you don't want to slop a lot out on the way to the pour. I don't think I would use the loader for the size pour your doing, but it is an option.