We're building an ICF house

[Going_Commando]

Originally Posted by Dave in Wi

Epic fly 'n ride trip report opportunity.

Epic indeed. Only thing slower than that JD is a KLR

[adam_c_eckhardt]

Originally Posted by DUNDERHEAD

What year is your excavator and how many hours on it ?

1995 and it'll have 8000 hours by the time I'm done.
New track chains and sprokets recently- very little wear.
New track adjuster seal about 20 hours ago.
Fluids and filters changed.
Electronic throttle replaced with manual knob by previous owner (I'm sure because it was broken, but I kinda like it better this way)

[kobudo28]

Originally Posted by adam_c_eckhardt

1995 and it'll have 8000 hours by the time I'm done.
New track chains and sprokets recently- very little wear.
New track adjuster seal about 20 hours ago.
Fluids and filters changed.
Electronic throttle replaced with manual knob by previous owner (I'm sure because it was broken, but I kinda like it better this way)

What about heated grips? Hippo hands?
What kind of oil did you use? You should start a thread on oils. There never seems to be enough discussion on that topic.
Are there any power outlets for GPS, cell phone, etc?
What about side cases? Jessies, Pelican, vario-cases?
You didn't say if it had a bash plate or crash guards. Can't be too careful you know.
Does it have any final drive issues?
Water pump issues?
Doo-hickey issues?

I mean, what kind of an adventure ride is it without farkles!

[adam_c_eckhardt]

Originally Posted by geode

Having run an excavator through the night I have to say I am alarmed by the lack of extra lights on your Excavator Farkle List, EFL for short.

With the right lights mounted just right, or wrong as the case may be, at about 0230 it is possible to induce vertigo as the lights play across the surface as the turret spins back and forth rapidly. This is particularly true if the excavator is operating on an inclined slope.

I'm used to running a backhoe- I sit still and the boom moves. When I run an excavator at work it's usually in a WIDE OPEN space. When I run this one for any length of time I tend to get a little motion sick- especially on slopes. Weird- only time in my life I've ever felt that!

And in other news my wife is awesome. She worked out there all day and got it built all the way up to our first pour height. Bracing is in, a few minor tweeks, and we're ready for the cement pump.

[A-Bone]

Originally Posted by kobudo28

What about heated grips? Hippo hands?
What kind of oil did you use? You should start a thread on oils. There never seems to be enough discussion on that topic.
Are there any power outlets for GPS, cell phone, etc?
What about side cases? Jessies, Pelican, vario-cases?
You didn't say if it had a bash plate or crash guards. Can't be too careful you know.
Does it have any final drive issues?
Water pump issues?
Doo-hickey issues?

I mean, what kind of an adventure ride is it without farkles!

Have you ever taken that thing off any sweet jumps??

[kobudo28]

Originally Posted by geode

Having run an excavator through the night I have to say I am alarmed by the lack of extra lights on your Excavator Farkle List, EFL for short.

With the right lights mounted just right, or wrong as the case may be, at about 0230 it is possible to induce vertigo as the lights play across the surface as the turret spins back and forth rapidly. This is particularly true if the excavator is operating on an inclined slope.

I knew I missed somthing! HID so there will be more available power to run other farkles, AC, drink holder/cooler/warmer, heat (not really needed right now)

What happens if you just spin the turret around and around and around....

We now return to our regularly scheduled episode of this "This ICF House" with your host, Adam C Eckhardt.

[Hardware02]

Originally Posted by adam_c_eckhardt

... When I run this one for any length of time I tend to get a little motion sick- especially on slopes. Weird- only time in my life I've ever felt that!...

Tip: when you're about to swing the excavator, turn your head in the direction you intend to swing, fix your eyes on a point roughly where you intend to end up facing and stay focused on that through the swing. About eye level's probably preferable as opposed to looking down into a hole or up at the far horizon. I find that helps me, can't hurt to try it.

[adam_c_eckhardt]

Originally Posted by geode

use the thumb to pick up a heavy rock on the upslope, then quickly spin downslope ... you'll swear the whole unit is about to fly off the ground and pitch-over frontwards.

on second thought ...



when is the concrete pumper coming?

have you ever seen how they clean the tubes before they leave the site?

No thanks.

I must be over tired because I just noticed I called it a cement pump. That's one of my pet peeves- it's concrete, not cement.

No date set, but it'll be in the next few days and I'll post when I know.

On a serious note- no- I don't know how they clean the tubes- should I worry?

[adam_c_eckhardt]

Originally Posted by A-Bone

Have you ever taken that thing off any sweet jumps??

Originally Posted by kobudo28

I knew I missed somthing! HID so there will be more available power to run other farkles, AC, drink holder/cooler/warmer, heat (not really needed right now)

What happens if you just spin the turret around and around and around....

We now return to our regularly scheduled episode of this "This ICF House" with your host, Adam C Eckhardt.

Have you two chuckle heads met in real life yet? When the house is finished I'll save you guys a room.

[Going_Commando]

Originally Posted by geode

It is such a simple idea yet so perfect.

I won't ruin the surprise.

I know how they do it too, but want to see what his reaction is after the fact.

[kobudo28]

Originally Posted by adam_c_eckhardt

Have you two chuckle heads met in real life yet? When the house is finished I'll save you guys a room.

No, but you and I are overdue for a beer.

Sounds like you and your wife are making great progress. Would like to carve out some time and drop by. I'm sure your wife LOVES all of your fellow inmates stopping by to bother you and slow you down.

[adam_c_eckhardt]

Pouring walls on Monday. There's been a lot of extra prep for this stage because of deck ledger board, cuts and rebar for "bumpouts" that come in the next level, and prep for the Hambro system.

Pump truck scheduled for 10:00AM, but they told us they'd send it earlier if nobody else calls with a slab to do.

Figured we wouldn't rush because we're waiting on the Hambro stuff to show up anyways- they told us Tuesday.

As usual, visitors welcome.

[adam_c_eckhardt]

And the walls are poured.

From July 15, 2012

And we did some more time lapse. Still not happy with the timing, and this one is even more boring than the others. Maybe by the time we're done I'll have it figured out! (I'm told that picture quality will get better in a few hours)



Hambro flooring system to arrive on Wednesday!

[adam_c_eckhardt]

My wife and I took the day off of work (the place where we get paid to work, as opposed to this project where we work harder than normal and don't get paid.)

With the help of the ICF guru we placed all the steel trusses for our first floor. As mentioned before, it's a Hambro system, which is a division of Canam Steel. I have mixed feelings on my dealings with them, but overall I'm quite satisfied. Funny statement to make, and I can clarify for anyone seriously interested in the product, anyways...

We got the entire system in, along with the temporary rollbars used to support the temporary (and reusable!) sheathing. We also managed to place a beam without hurting anyone. Nice to have the excavator around. It could have been done by hand, but would have been more cumbersome, dangerous, and time consuming.

Here are a few pictures of different perspectives, including one of me that I didn't know was being taken. I caught a lot of flack for the condition of the T-shirt I was wearing.

Enjoy:

From July 27, 2012

From July 27, 2012

From July 27, 2012

From July 27, 2012

More progress to come.

Well drillers didn't show up today, but there is evidence that they've cased the joint, so I'm sure they'll be around soon.

[BillsR100]

That's gonna be a stout (strong) house!