Small batch concrete methods?

[earl84]

I’m installing DIY grid-tie solar. I’m taking pics and will start a thread later, too many irons in the fire right this moment. Currently, trench is dug, conduit and wire are run, need inspector to approve depth and grounding before backfilling.

I have a need to bore three 2’ x 6’ holes for the piles, center the piles and fill with concrete. Unfortunately, weather did not hold out, lots of snow, and I’m afraid that a cement truck will not be able to make it to the site without getting stuck. I’m taking a week off for an elk hunt, hopefully it can melt and dry out, but I don’t think it will.
Need just over 2 yards of concrete, and that’s about 90 bags of 80 pound Quikcrete. I can (but don’t want to) move the bags, rent a mixer and pour, but that’s a long, tedious process. Any other brainstorming ideas.

Also, quick question on billing myself for labor and claiming it for tax credit. Is that possible/legal/advisable? I do have a business and can invoice myself, but I think it looks a little too fishy for the tax man.

 

[930dreamer]

Some concrete places have trailers you can rent with the concrete for small projects.

Not sure if this place has it or not?

Delta Sand & Gravel Co
Ready mix concrete supplier in the Montrose County, Colorado
Address: 13279 6200 Rd, Montrose, CO 81403
Phone: (970) 249-6993

 

[Bretny]

This is why prior planning is key. Now your late in the season and need to do more work for the same outcome.

80 bags is no problem. I believe HD rents a mixer that will take 5-6 alone. That's a 4hr job at most.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

If I need more than a few bags I get sand, gravel and cement then mix my own.

What equipment are you getting out there to bore the (2ft diameter x 6 ft deep) holes?

 

[readhead]

How close can the truck get to the site safely? You can transfer the mud with a loader to the holes. There is probably a place in Montrose that has 1-2 yard tow behind mixers.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

How close can the truck get to the site safely? You can transfer the mud with a loader to the holes. There is probably a place in Montrose that has 1-2 yard tow behind mixers.

Either a loader or three/four guys with wheel barrels is a lot more attractive than mixing 90 bags of concrete

I have done that before and can tell you it is a lot more work than you think it is. Mixing concrete bags like that as a real chore

 

[reader2580]

Also, quick question on billing myself for labor and claiming it for tax credit. Is that possible/legal/advisable? I do have a business and can invoice myself, but I think it looks a little too fishy for the tax man.

I did a quick Google search and you are not allowed to deduct for your own labor. I don't know about running the labor through your own business.

I am doing a DIY solar install and if I could get tax credits for my labor that would be quite a bit of money. I'm probably 200 hours in by now.

 

[earl84]

This is why prior planning is key. Now your late in the season and need to do more work for the same outcome.

80 bags is no problem. I believe HD rents a mixer that will take 5-6 alone. That's a 4hr job at most.

This is why prior planning is key. Now your late in the season and need to do more work for the same outcome.

80 bags is no problem. I believe HD rents a mixer that will take 5-6 alone. That's a 4hr job at most.

Yeah, lots of prior plans have been screwed up in 2020. And I’m pretty sure a lot of concrete has been delayed by weather even the best conditions in summer. But thanks for the second helpful part of your post.

 

[earl84]

Thanks everyone for suggestions. Always nice to get experienced answers.
For digging the holes, I’m experimenting with my pressure washer with turbo nozzle, and a trash pump to evacuate. Sounds a little hokey maybe, but you’d be amazed how well the turbo nozzle works. I’m not in a huge hurry, but need to keep the project moving. If that doesn’t work, I’ll quit screwing around and rent a skid steer with auger.

 

[rburke65]

How about buying and then selling afterward, a new or used portable, concrete mixer? Harbor F., or Craig’s list...FB?

 

[zkdiesel]

Truck to edge of road and skidsteer to transfer concrete to hole

 

[JoeMcGov]

Rule of open concrete foundation excavations: do not open (ie: dig) what you cannot pour that day. YES. It requires extraordinary planning and coordination.

 

[Spareparts]

We poured some piers about the same size as yours, loaded about 30 bags on the front of trailer, some 5 gal buckets of water, and put the mixer (I think 4 bag) on the rear of the trailer. Made a chute out of 3/4"plywood with 2" x 6" down each side 4' long to kinda guide the crete into the hole. Load the mixer, let it mix good , flip the tub over and let it slide down the chute into the hole, we were only about 6" above grade and it worked well. Have plenty of help and it will go quick.

 

[matt_i]

I'm not sure the 1-2 tow behind mixers are necessarily better. Thats a very heavy trailer at the upper end, they may require a 3/4t or better....and off-road it might be a liability (e.g. if the big boys are getting stuck or worried about getting stuck that's a sign).

One other thing is that the concrete plant can give you calcium chloride added to the batch so you can get the thing cured in a reasonable amount of time in the cold.

You might be well served to also investigate and plan ways to insulate the newly poured concrete if it is going to drop below freezing overnight on the first couple nights.

 

[pvanderlugt]

Not sure how far itis from however close the truck can come, to where the holes are, but 3-4 guys with some wheelbarrows can move 2yards pretty easy... we did just that this summer, and only took 25 min.....the key is to invite like 10 friends with wheelbarrows, hopefully 5 will show up....if it is real muddy, put planks down....much,much,much better then hauling bags around.....

 

[rsanter]

If need be you can use a concrete pumper

 

[earl84]

All great ideas, guys. Thank you.
I’ll have to do some calling and figure out what will work best, and enlist some help. Have plenty of time to mull it over.

Just to be clear, as was stated in my initial,post, the holes are not dug yet, and I have time to figure this out. If I need to put it off for a while, I can do that. I just have to adapt and overcome what Mother Nature threw at me.

Again, thanks to all for ideas.

 

[jerry67]

I would consider renting a concrete buggy, if it's muddy get one on tracks
https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equipment/items/942/power-concrete-buggies/

 

[nadogail]

The Old Man told me "do not undertake vast projects with half vast plans.

 

[vavet]

Those biggies seem like the answer. 2 yards is 54 cubic feet. That’s 4 trips with the buggy.

Not sure how fast they go. Probably don’t want to go too fast anyway or it’ll slosh out.

What’s the expectation on how long the trucks stays?

 

[brownbagg]

truck stay- 2 hours from ticket time on cool days

but youre paying for it so it stay as long as you want

 

[Dh3256]

Also, quick question on billing myself for labor and claiming it for tax credit. Is that possible/legal/advisable? I do have a business and can invoice myself, but I think it looks a little too fishy for the tax man.

Umm, the IRS calls that "tax fraud", very illegal.

To legally claim the labor tax credit, an unrelated and unaffiliated third party has to do the work.

 

[nadogail]

When I lived in Southern Spain, we piled the sand and aggregate on the ground, mixed it with a really big hoe, made a crater in the pile and added the Cement and water

The concrete was carried away in buckets.

 

[earl84]

Calls to a few ready mix plants, concrete contractors and rental place leads me to the concrete buggy approach, when the time comes. Truck stays for 60 minutes, but they almost never charge for any extra time, especially if it is their last run for the day. Should take 3 round trips, I think I can get that done in 60 minutes, but I’ve never run a concrete buggy.