My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

Kiwi Phil

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Joined
Jun 23, 2003
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2,182
I tried hard to get 2 of my good staff to increase their hours so we could produce more stock and Anita and I do less.
We actually had our first 6 day holiday together (3 weeks back) in 10 yrs.
We have to slow down a bit.
Nobody wanted the work, so i decided to pour bucks in to making the whole op super efficient, so we could produce more, in better conditions, with less staff, and less of our time.
Even without increased sales, the whole thing will recover its costs in 18-20 months.
I am putting in a 9mx6m storage shed
A 9mx6m packing area that can be accessed by semi-trucks so they can be loaded quickly and easily.
A all-weather, insect proof,30mx10m grow tunnel that will hold 50,000 pots with out-of-season lines.
Here are shots of the progress.
Cheers
Phillip


This is the old potted colour nursery all stripped down.
We next got in industrial skips and dumped most everything.

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Clean area for excavation

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Excavation

017.jpg


020.jpg


Preparing area for packing sheds
024.jpg


Fill....thats the way to watch your bucks disappear
025.jpg
 

Kiwi Phil

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Joined
Jun 23, 2003
Messages
2,182
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

We used the maxi's at the top end, but changed to the minis.....they didn't fold up the steel mesh, could get to all points, so no barrow work.

I am honestly to damned scared to total the cost for the concrete....it is all paid for....I think it went over 60 cu m.
What you don't know can't worry you can it!!

001-1.jpg


From the top end (shed end)

003-1.jpg


From the bottom end

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This is the storage shed and packing area.
I said to this builder, "I'm sending this photo to my makes in the US on a boating forum"
"Hang on a minute" he said, "I'll drop me daks", hence the grin on his face.

004.jpg


Cheers
Phillip
 

zach103

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Mar 11, 2008
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2,233
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

what are daks?
 

CN Spots

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
1,612
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

Hope it don't mean underwear!:D

Looking good Phil! (the greenhouse, not the guy in his underwear):p
 

Kiwi Phil

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Joined
Jun 23, 2003
Messages
2,182
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

"daks" are your pants.
Are you guys familiar with the term 'brown-eye"....well, you have to drop your 'daks' first.
Here is the frame of the tunnel house up.
Cheers
Phillip

005-1.jpg
 

zach103

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Mar 11, 2008
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2,233
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

had a feeling thats what they were.. .. it deff looks good.. ive never seen the minis before
 

Kiwi Phil

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Joined
Jun 23, 2003
Messages
2,182
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

The minis are a good way to go.
Some carry max of 2.6m cu, some 3.6m cu.
Because of their short wheelbase, better turning circle and lower weight, they can get into places the Maxis can't, and literally save 2 blokes on barrows.
They don't fold up the mesh, nor does their weight sink wheel track groves, which in itself takes a lot of concrete to fill.
You order them 15 mins apart so the gang can keep ahead of the pour all the time. Gives a lot of control of the job.
They normally cost a little more per m but on orders maybe 20 m cu upwards they charge the same as the big Maxis.
Really come in to their own when doing posts.
We put in 40 posts, and the mini just drove along and stopped at each hole. Took 20 mins to do the lot. We took a break, then 3 of us just went around and around with a level making sure everything was straight. Very simple job.

We use to lay all our own concrete.
Anita did the screeding, but when she hit 50 she declared "no more".
She was good though.
One of the drivers quietly said to her once "if you want to earn big bucks, just let me know...I know of a couple of gangs that will take you on immediately, and your a damned site better than their blokes".
Well, that tore it!!

Cheers
Phillip
 

CN Spots

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
1,612
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

What are those things on the terra cotta roof in the background? Looks like solar panels with a stainless tank on top.
 

Kiwi Phil

Commander
Joined
Jun 23, 2003
Messages
2,182
Re: My current project: new sheds and grow tunnel

A solar hot water system Spots. 2 panels.
Those darned thing will bring the water tank to a boil inside a couple of hours of sun.
Neighbour tells me he is only short of hot water maybe 10 days per yr. (cloudy) so it automatically flicks over to electric.....
They are great....you have endless free hot water for anything.
Cheers
Phillip
 
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