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  • From: Two Onion Farm <farmer AT twoonionfarm.com>
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] For those who have built tunnels using Johnny's hoops bender
  • Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:09:12 -0600

I caution strongly against using tall ground posts unless you are using really solid steel.  We made a house using the Johnny's bender with 6' tall ground posts that were cheap chain-link fence line posts from Menards, 17 ga 1-5/8" steel.  In a strong straight line wind blowing against the side of the house the ground posts all kinked and bent over at ground level and the arches completely deformed.  Other houses made with the same construction but with short ground posts weathered the storm with no damage.  If I were to make another tall house I would use heavy duty ground posts - Nolt's Produce supply sells a 6' 13 ga 1-5/8" post which might not have the same problems. 

Chris

Chris & Juli McGuire
Two Onion Farm
www.twoonionfarm.com
19638 Cottage Inn Road
Belmont, WI 53510
(608) 762-5335
farmer AT twoonionfarm.com

On 2/18/2012 6:35 PM, market-farming-request AT lists.ibiblio.org wrote:
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Today's Topics:

   1. For those who have built tunnels using Johnny's	hoops bender
      (Etienne Goyer)
   2. Re: For those who have built tunnels using	Johnny'shoops
      bender (MAsteveINE)
   3. Re: For those who have built tunnels using Johnny'shoops
      bender (Etienne Goyer)
   4. Re: For those who have built tunnels using Johnny'shoops
      bender (Shoemaker, William H)
   5. Re: For those who have built tunnels using	Johnny'shoops
      bender (Beth Spaugh)
   6. Re: For those who have built tunnels	usingJohnny'shoops
      bender (MAsteveINE)
   7. Re: For those who have built tunnels using Johnny'shoops
      bender (Etienne Goyer)
   8. Re: For those who have built tunnels using Johnny'shoops
      bender (Todd Lister)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:37:49 -0500
From: Etienne Goyer <etienne AT lejardinduvillage.ca>
Subject: [Market-farming] For those who have built tunnels using
	Johnny's	hoops bender
To: market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Message-ID: 4F3FE1ED.2080600 AT lejardinduvillage.ca"><4F3FE1ED.2080600 AT lejardinduvillage.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hello everyone,

I bought Johnny's "Quick Hoops" high tunnel bender.  Their instruction 
manual is really good, and I like their design.  I am planning on 
building two 100' tunnels this spring.  I have two questions for those 
who have built similar tunnels.

First, Johnny's tunnel are 7' high in the middle, which I find is a 
little low for trellised crop.  I would prefer something closer to 10' 
high.  I am thinking that, instead of cutting the 6' post in half, I 
would use the full 6' length of the post, leaving 4' sticking out of the 
ground (instead of 1').  I This would make a kind of straight "side 
wall" 4' high, on which the bows would rest.  This would obviously cost 
twice as much in post, but I think it is a fair trade off.  Have someone 
done something similar, and if yes, is the structure sound?

Secondly, how wide have you set the bows?  The example in the manual as 
a bow every 4'.  I am planning on using three purlins (one in the 
center, and two to attach the trellises to), so I am thinking the 
structure will be quite solid indeed.  I am thinking of having one every 
6' instead.  Would that be enough?  My only worry is water accumulating 
on the plastic above the purlins.

Beside, what was your experience?  Any tips to share?

Thanks!




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