Cattle Working Facility – Part 3
(To see Part 1, click HERE.)
(To See Part 2, click HERE.)
Last Thursday was another concrete pour day. I took off work to help. The concrete truck arrived at 8am, right on schedule, and the pour began. Not having been in on a concrete pour before, I didn’t know what to expect. I learned fast.
Concrete sets up in a hurry, so as soon as the truck arrives, it’s like someone has shot a starting gun for a marathon – we all jumped into high gear and stayed there until the job was done.
A pour is done a little bits at a time. First, the concrete is dumped off the truck, and then we shoved it into every corner and up against the forms. We wanted to make sure that there were no air pockets.
(L to R: Harland, Gerald, and the truck driver)
After it was thoroughly settled into the forms, we smoothed it out.
(That’s Ramona in the blue hoodie)
Then we poured more off the truck:
It too was worked over, and eventually smoothed out.
We continued like this for about 3 hours until we finally finished.. We were so exhausted.
The darker concrete is the new pour, the lighter is the pour from the week before. Ramona is sweeping the older pour.
Just look at that forest of posts that Harland and I set a couple weeks ago.
We went home for lunch, and afterwards Gerald and Ramona applied a sealant to the concrete, while Harland and I set the last three posts.
On Monday of this week, Harland removed the forms from the new concrete pour. It will take several weeks to cure.
So the hardest part of this project, the concrete and all the posts, is done.
Up next, steel pipe and panels will be welded onto the posts.
This is the look we’re shooting for:
After that’s done, the alley and tub will be set up on the concrete and bolted down.
And after that, we’ll bring the cattle home and work them for the first time in our new facility.
They’ll be SOOO pleased with all the work we’ve done for them.
“What the ????”
Stay tuned…
(To see Part 4, click HERE.)
(To see Part 5, click HERE.)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
It’s a good thing it’s nearly time for bed, because I’m pretty much exhausted after reading this. But one thing’s for sure. What seems like a huge, almost overwhelming task, has in fact been a series of tasks. It’s the old “how do you eat an elephant” business. The answer, of course, is one bite at a time.
Needless to say, I’m anxious to see what the cattle think of all this. I hope they’re properly appreciative!
I’m curious to see how they cooperate! Looks like a lot of work, but will be so nice for you!
One thing’s for sure – it will all be worth it when it’s done! I can hardly wait till you use it and we get to watch!
I’m glad you pointed out that it was Ramona in the blue hoodie.
I was wondering about the pink panties. 😉
LOL It might have been a red t-shirt mixed in with the whites!!!
Looks great everyone, teamwork at its best.
Pam