Tearing down cement block silo.....

bobodu · Mar 10, 2004

I've been having a ball reading the posts on this forum,although the wife is feeling ignored.She just doesn't appreciate greasy things,yet somehow she married me....We have a 14X60 foot cement block silo out back that should come down.Blasting it would be fun....but I
am not fond of jail.A neighbor suggested popping it with the 30'06 and waiting for the wind.Sounds too risky and Indiana doesn't have a season on silos.Block by block is out because we couldn't reach that far and manlift rental is too high.Thought about suspending a rock from it and hauling it back with a 60' chain and letting it swing.However;if it didn't come down after so many whacks...I'd hate to go near it.Any ideas?

Cliff_Johns · Mar 10, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Block by block is out because we couldn't reach that far and manlift rental is too high. )</font>

No, no. You do it block by block, but you start at the bottom
where the blocks are easier to reach.

Perhaps you could find a use for it as it is. Really deep
swimming pool? Perhaps rent it out as a climbing wall for
people who want to practice repelling and climbing.

Cliff

surfran · Mar 10, 2004

Have you thought about contracting a silo company to demo it? It is very dangerous work and not something I would try myself. A good friend of mine is in the business of silo's and he took over from his father who was killed while felling an old cement one about 5 years ago.

I believe they cut the staves (not sure if this is correct term but think so) kind of like cutting a tree. Anyhow, he was making a cut when it started to fall and he ran right in the path and was crushed. They think he may have been de-hydrated and delirious but will never know.

What ever you choose to do, be careful.

RonR · Mar 10, 2004

When I got out of the Marines 30 years ago, a buddy wanted me to blow up an old upright silo on a farm he bought. It was out away from stuff, so other than the risks to body, it would have been fun to do. As a farmer, he thought he could buy the dynamite. With all the EOD training I got in the Marines, I could have handled that part.

He wanted it to fall a certain way, to fill in a gulley. I wasn't sure I could make it do that, so he went to plan B. Sure would have been fun trying though........

Ron

rdln · Mar 10, 2004

six pack of beer, case of 12ga slugs, shotgun, proven method /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

BeeFarmer · Mar 11, 2004

Now that's what Marines do well... blow things up!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Junkman · Mar 11, 2004

fill it with hay and throw a match into it.. maybe it will melt... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bowhunter · Mar 11, 2004

What part of Indiana?

I saw on Real TV a few years back a video of someone trying to push one over with a dozer. It started to go then rocked back and collapsed on top of the dozer. Somehow the operator just received scratches. My only advice is.....don't try that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

AndyMA · Mar 11, 2004

Isn't this what an excavator is made for. With my 44,000 lb Hitachi I could sit back out of harms way and punch a hole in higher than mid way up. A few careful grabs and it would be on the ground. Another couple of hours and the blocks would all be separate. Probably cost you about $500 -600 for 4 hours work.
Just my thoughts. Nothing like the distance and reach of a good size excavator. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Andy

jmc · Mar 11, 2004

As tall and heavy as it is, I wonder if at least the bottom block isn't filled with concrete and rebar. That would really make the bullet or demo ball solution into a time bomb.

Maybe excavating the foundation on the side you want it to fall? Help it along by turning that side into mud? A huge hydraulic jack on the other side for more help. Turn it into a tourist attraction if it only goes part way?

John