Media
Back to Pictures page
On the Sappa Creek in southern Rawlins County we have many alfalfa fields that require creek crossing to navigate between. The best way to make a crossing stand up to the test of time is to put concrete or other hard materials in the bottom. The heavier the material, the better so as to prevent washing stuff downstream. As such, in 2009 we were in need for more concrete scraps for a couple of crossing and opted to get the concrete from an old abandoned silo on a nearby farm place
In the 1940's, concrete silos were a popular addition to many farms in this area and the fact that they are 100% constructed of concrete means that many can still be seen today. Most of the silos of this type were abandoned in the 1960's as better solutions came about. This particular silo was 40' in height.
Here is Terry Kastens taking out some surrounding fences as we prepare to get this silo onto the ground.
Lester Yoos and Terry Kastens contemplating on the best approach for knocking the silo down exactly where we want it to fall.
This video shows the final staves being broken and the collapse of the old silo. From the direction we wanted it to fall we used sledgehammers to knock on the first stave and then each guy knocked a stave out one at a time from this center stave until the weight of the silo caused its collapse.
From left to right, Chuck Felzien, Lester Yoos and Terry Kastens survey the final pile of concrete and rebar. Chuck and Lester then loaded the concrete onto a truck and drove it down to the creek crossing for final placement with Lester's D5 Cat.Cleaning places up is an important function in this area as 90 years of out-migration has left many abandoned, unsafe and dilapidated farmsteads around. Often as we involve ourselves in cleaning up farmsteads, we try to reuse any materials we can as well as recycle old iron and other metals. Old water wells are properly sealed and capped to prevent any potential contaminants to get into the water table and unsafe holes (old hand dug wells, basements, cellars, etc.) are properly filled in to prevent accidental fall-ins by either people, equipment and/or natural wildlife.
|
Contact
Us | Contact Webmaster
| © 2009 Kastens Inc. Farms
|
