August 16th 2008 - Placing Lifting Poles (Part 1)

Once the concrete had cured for a week and Jeff cleared out all of the scaffolding, the corner logs could be placed. The challenge is getting the logs 150 feet up a fairly steep incline and then lifting them up to a vertical position in each corner. This is a major part of the Log Home Builders Association's method of building, which allows a builder to stack logs on his/her own without relying on a crane. So, the time came to finally try out the cable and winch system to pull the logs. Jeff had tested it, pulling rebar up the hill, which was successful. After some time spent figuring out the exact method (which tree, which ropes, angles etc.), Jeff used a block attached to a tree to the side of the house, wire ropes, and the gas powered winch and eventually the first log was up the hill! It was great to have the help of our friend Don. He spent a good part of his Saturday helping Jeff with the first log and we really appreciated it. Once the log was far enough up the hill they used 2x6 boards to push it over into position to line it up with the doorway. Once it was lined up, Jeff used the winch attached to another tree on the other side of the house while Don and a laboror helped guide it over the doorway.

Bit by bit, the log slid accross the house and into position in the front left corner. Unfortunately, it was a few feet too long and a chainsaw would be needed to cut the end off before it could be lifted up. So, that would wait for another day, but not bad for a day's work... the first log was in position and another was pulled up the hill.

The next day Jeff worked on lining the top of the walls with pressure treated wood, which is needed to provide a barrier between the walls and the logs. He cuts it into size, drills holes so the rebar can go through, and climbs up a ladder to put it on. The ladder part is the hardest because there are sections where the short ladder isn't tall enough to do it from the inside, but the tall ladder on the outside slides down the hill once in while. But, Jeff managed to get through it.

So, next comes lifting that first and then remaining three lifting poles into their place in the corners. There has been much discussion about the best way for this to happen, so it will likely require some trial and error to find the best way (where to pull from, and whether something needs to slide under for support). The first game plan is to use a tree on the outside of the house to pull the log up with guidelines for side to side support.

To be continued...