Pole Barn Door impossible to open.

[Leaky88]

Hi,
I have a 40 x 60 Pole Barn Shed, it came with the place when I moved in 11 years ago.
It has 2 large sliding doors, the one pictured and one on opposite side in the rear.
One pictured has become nearly impossible to open. It is suspended by 2 bolts coming out of a closed V-shaped channel. At each end of the channel is a stop.
I had a Camper parked in the spot for many years, and did not open it on a daily or even weekly bases.
I don't know if it requires lubrication, removal or what?
Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Leaky

 

[doctordirt]

I had the same issue. Set ladder up from outside, sprayed roller liberally with silicon lubricant. Difference was day and night. My door is 16 wide and 14 tall.

 

[nadogail]

Fluid Film also works after the rollers are freed up.

 

[XJSuperman]

At first I thought maybe your "door sill" (for lack of a better term) wood beams where the door goes into the ground were pinching the door in place. But it appears that your door doesn't set into the ground in a track like our building. Looks like the only thing holding your door is the upper rollers, so I agree, lube well and run it back and forth a bunch to get it all lubed up nice and broke free.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

It may have acquired a few wasp nests inside. May require scraping the channel clean then lubricating as suggested. I have seen doors stuck from a few mud wasp nests.

 

[karoc]

I agree but to start with may want to go with a thinner lube till it breaks free.Once its rolling good then go with the fluid film which I like very much. Make that a routine on both doors.

 

[ed_v]

I had this happen at my old shop. Try to swing the door upward some while sliding it. See if that helps.

Ed

 

[The Cobbler]

I'm in the lube camp. it might be worth taking off the valence from the track ( if you can) and or take off the rollers and see if you can free them up .
I've had good luck using mineral spirits in tight fits to get it moving, and continue washing out rust till it works smooth , then lubricate

 

[Leaky88]

Thanks I appreciate the feedback. I tried lubricating the rollers, but its still is very difficult. A guy with arms like Popeye is needed. I’ve had birds in the past so maybe a good cleaning is needed. Can the track end Stops be removed, so one roller at a time can be run off end and cleaned and then returned to track by one person, or do I need a Lift?
I have no idea what the weight is, and I’m sure rain will come on the day it’s off.

 

[Neighbor]

I have experienced problems like that in the past. Bottom line is they take some maintenance. Cleaning and lubricating are correct paths. You could remove the stop and run it out the end, but that would be like wresting a grizzly bear. The entire door is mounted on the rollers.

One important thing to look at is the adjustment of the roller. On the inside at the top is a bolt that raises and lowers the roller in relation to the door. I'll bet that there is a bottom track for the door. The door may bid binding on the track.

There is most likely a Morton crew around you. Have them gone out and get it running again.

 

[Leaky88]

I've added some pictures:

Both doors are nearly same in size, so I looked for differences, to see if I was trying to obtain something attainable. After talking with a very seasoned looking gentlemen who builds Pole Barns, he politely informed me, that the Sturdi-Built Pole Barn I inherited was anything but what the name implied. Who knows? I'm just trying to make something work or see if it's worth calling in the SME's.


Front door only has a short piece of Bottom Track on the front door.

The Rear door which a small child can open, has a longer Bottom Track.

I'm guessing short piece on front was necessary so a vehicle could drive in/out of right side stall.

Rear door has a longer piece and does not require Popeye to open.

Does anyone have a short piece of track on one of their doors? And if so, are they functional?

 

[Farmerjonathan]

Built a pole barn on the fairgrounds in 1994. Rollers were some type of plastic/nylon. They got flat spotted from not being used and the sun just beating on the South end of the building. Changed them out and doors move again. Just a thought.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Two easy things to try.
Pop that bottom "rail" off, and see if it helps. Make sure you mark where it goes.
Take the pressure washer to the top rail. Use the needle nozzle. See who's been living in there, and flush them out.