Concrete and Basketballs

[turbowoodworker]

I was given a basketball hoop and pole. It is a well built and probably expensive adjustable model. It was dug out of the ground and has attached concrete as shown.

It seems to me that considering the height of a basketball goal, this thing was not in the ground very far. But it was functional and never tilted. I measured the above ground sections at a total of 10.5 ft. Pole is 4 inch thin wall metal. It is quite top heavy considring the wt of the metal and plexiglass goal. Not counting the 65 lb seven year old dunking the rim!!

So my question revolves around hole size. Should the old concrete be removed and new concrete placed in a 12 inch or so hole? Or can a larger hole be used and if so, what size and how deep?

I have made a feeble attempt, one might call it test drilling, to see how hard it is to get the concrete off. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[Jeffksf]

That does seem pretty small of a footer for that size. I put in a bigger one for my flag pole. Usually you can smack off the old concrete with a sledge pretty easily. You could leave it on but then you will have to dig a bigger hole and it will probably be easier to set with the concrete removed from the steel pole.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I was checking the you tube videos as I cannot find a manual for the goal installation. You tube videos show a 36-48" by 18 " hole and the manufacturer uses a J bolt anchor system with plate for mounting. The PO either did not do this (He told me he paid to have it installed), or it was possibly relocated once.

I am guessing there are J bolts and rebar in there if the installer followed directions. That may make removal more difficult.

So given the size of the concrete ball, how wide a hole should I make, how deep? And I understand that new concrete won't bond to old concrete. What can be done to improve strength?

 

[turbowoodworker]

My last post is only conjecture as I see the company also made an "in ground" model. But if that is the case, boy that thing was not very deep.

 

[csi123]

Not exactly the same thing but hopefully this will give an a rough idea:

http://www.goalsetter.com/UserDocs/Signature_Int_Contender_12_31_2012.pdf

 

[MoonRise]

Yes, remove the old concrete.

Bash with sledgehammer, drill a series of holes and then use a masonry chisel to crack the concrete from hole to hole, use a masonry blade to score or partially cut through the concrete and then use sledgehammer and/or masonry chisel to crack it.

Or buy or rent a hammer drill or breaker hammer with some more oomph and go to town on that concrete.

Once you get almost all of that old concrete off, evaluate the mounting options and proceed from there.

 

[Jeffksf]

You could attach new hook bolts into that existing concrete, either by epoxy or insert.
I would lean towards removing the existing concrete from the pole though.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Thanks, that was my idea. I'm inherently lazy but I would rather whack concrete than dig a giant hole. Appreciate the input.

 

[creativecars]

I picked up a HF sds hammer/drill and it works great to knock things like this apart. Right now they are 90.00, but with 20% coupon it is $72.
Might save you a lot of hammering.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-18-in-10-amp-heavy-duty-sds-variable-speed-rotary-hammer-61882.html

 

[turbowoodworker]

I've been busting concrete. Just say I would not have made a good convict back in the day!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Your sentence is one hour hard labor busting concrete.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Update.
After busting concrete with a sledge, I wised up. I put a face shield and hearing protection on my seven year old. He used my little air hammer with a point tip and broke off pieces for days. It was fun to watch him go to town on the concrete.

I then welded a section of four inch sq tube to extend the length and got it in a hole with about 40" below ground and in concrete. That sucker isn't moving.

Now if dad could just dunk...

 

[ms fowler]

Update.
After busting concrete with a sledge, I wised up. I put a face shield and hearing protection on my seven year old. He used my little air hammer with a point tip and broke off pieces for days. It was fun to watch him go to town on the concrete.

I then welded a section of four inch sq tube to extend the length and got it in a hole with about 40" below ground and in concrete. That sucker isn't moving.

Now if dad could just dunk...

Working smarter--not harder.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Well making the kid work harder makes me look smarter!