Need to anchor down hoop coop

[4 the Birds]

It sits in a horse pasture, so leaving stuff in the ground isn't really an option

One of my mares has a neurologic issue and would find and trip on it, sigh. She has an uncanny ability to get herself into trouble.

Hmmm... Your options are pretty limited then. You either will need to pull out and reset your anchors with each move or add above ground posts at each anchor place for the mares. You could always consider a permanent coop and let your birds free range. Since you have mares then you already have a free range fence perimeter. A permanent coop has a lot of advantages. My birds free range with goats.

 

[Hokum Coco]

But how would you fasten the rebar to the jack to pull it up?

And I dunno....some of the anchors themselves were broken off IN the ground. Is rebar really strong enough?

I can think of numerous ways around that dilemma to many to mention.

First you put a bolt and nut through a length of chain to form a circle or loop of chain maybe a 12"in diameter or what ever works.

Attach one link of the chain to a tooth on the bumper jack.
A wrap or two of the looped chain on the item in question and out it comes.
If you have access to a welder pulling out the steel rebar would become a joke.
If steel rebar can hold down a Circus tent it just may hold down a coop..

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

You bend the top of the rebar to make an attachment point for your tie down cables, OR you weld a ring on top

They aren't too hard to pull if you pull STRAIGHT out

 

[res]

You bend the top of the rebar to make an attachment point for your tie down cables, OR you weld a ring on top

They aren't too hard to pull if you pull STRAIGHT out

Is it even possible to bend rebar without a very heavy and well anchored vise? I know I have attempted to bend several 2' pieces, and all I succeeded in doing was just about bust the plywood that my workbench vise is anchored to! Maybe there is an easier way???

 

[Hokum Coco]

Is it even possible to bend rebar without a very heavy and well anchored vise? I know I have attempted to bend several 2' pieces, and all I succeeded in doing was just about bust the plywood that my workbench vise is anchored to! Maybe there is an easier way???

The longer the rebar the easier it is to bend. Get a piece of pipe to act as a sleeve for your rebar. Drive your car on top of the pipe. Put your rebar inside the sleeve of pipe under the tire Bend Away! Trailer hitches on half tons are another excellent place to bend stock. Or visa versa drive your car on top of your rebar (you may need a plank between the rebar and the ground to give you tolerance). Bolted cement stairs to foundations is another area you might employ. There is sometimes a crack or a crevasse. Take the hub cap off your car depending on the bolt pattern and the contour of your rim that may anchor the end and provide the leverage you need. First think of something you can not move with a piece of rebar. Use your imagination...

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

The easiest way is have someone with an torch cut it and bend it for you.
When it's RED HOT, it bends like putty

Propane probably won't generate enough heat unless you happen to have a "weed burner" head, and you'd still need a good vice or some large clamps to hold it

OR you could attach your cable with a cable clamp;
It just won't be as strong, but should still do the job:

 

[res]

The easiest way is have someone with an torch cut it and bend it for you.
When it's RED HOT, it bends like putty

Propane probably won't generate enough heat unless you happen to have a "weed burner" head, and you'd still need a good vice or some large clamps to hold it

OR you could attach your cable with a cable clamp;
It just won't be as strong, but should still do the job:

That's what I was thinking, too... We do have torches and welders on the farm, but I DO NOT touch them! And my husband was TDY with the military when I needed to bend the rebar... Best thing I could come up with was the vise. Didn't work very well....

 

[Primo]

A simple plumbers propane torch will heat up re bar enough to bend it (will go a little quicker if you use map gas). And you can use a sawzall to cut it. Use at least 2 of the clamps bearfoot posted. Don't crimp them down too tight or they will abrade and weaken the cable itself. I also use turnbuckles to attach the cable to the anchors. This will allow you to get it good and snug

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

If you have LOTS of time to wait, you might get lucky and get it hot enough with propane

If you want to do it in reasonable amount of time, use acetylene:, which is much hotter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxy-fuel_welding_and_cutting

Quote:

 

[Primo]

Ya sure, if you happen to have an acetylene torch and bottles lying around.

You can pick up a basic plumbers torch for $15 at HD

And no it does not take much time at all. You do not need to get it cherry red, it will bend easily long before that. Done it many times.