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market-farming - Hoop house snow load test

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  • From: robert schuler <sunnfarm AT bellatlantic.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Hoop house snow load test
  • Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 10:56:06 -0500


If you use pvc or 1/2" steel plumbing pipe, set your hoop into the ground
then have
someone weighing 120 lb. go to the center of the hoop and do chinup"s, if the
hoops don't
bow or twist then the hoop house will support at least 12" of snow load if
spaced no more
than 4 feet apart, most folks are tempted to widen the span as far as
possible but at
least for steel a 1/2" x21' plumbing pipe can only be safely bent to 14'
wide. 3/4" can go
to 16' wide, I don't know anyone who seriously uses pvc but if you do its not
a bad idea
to have center 2x3 sticks under each bow when snow threatens, most guys
around here with
holding houses have air blast sprayers to blow off the snow as it settles.
I wish it would snow here in south NJ so I can do some xc skiing, if not then
next week
starts plowing and lettuce field planting...
Sunny Meadow Farm
Bridgeton, NJ.





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