12.12.2025 The big lift!

 ~o~

  Friday 12th 45F/7.2C [7.15] Cool and cloudy with light winds.

  Up at 6.30 after  an unusually quiet night.

 A walk first. Probably after 9am to allow it to get light enough for road safety. Or, I could start on the carport as soon as I like.

 I shall be returning to lifting the carport while the weather remains dry and less windy. Which means moving the ladder pyramid. To the other side of the building. The folding ladders do the heavy lifting and weigh much more than the other two. Which I am only using for stability. To avoid sideways toppling under load.

 I shall have to clamber up and undo the lashing holding the ladders together. I should have used short lengths of rope but never do. I am always afraid I won't have any long lengths left when I need them. It also saves the ropes from unraveling. 

 Once free I can remove the side ladders. Then clear the raised roof section with the folding ladders. A simple somersault inside the empty panel space should do it. I can sort out the straddling once the ladders are safely on the other side. This will be a higher and heavier lift. As the entire carport pivots upright on the two, existing feet on the ground. 

 I was a bit worried about moving the raised carport accurately over the foundation blocks. Due to the considerable weight and friction with the ground.  In fact this proved to be quite easy. Once the weight was taken up by the chain hoist. 

 I just needed to bias the direction of pull of the lift to match my needs. As simple as sliding the lower lifting strop along the gutter. When the tension is taken off. 

 8.30 Just light enough to work by but not for a walk yet. I'll save some time by moving the ladders now. Instead of wasting time on the computer. I decided to outside and start work. I'll get plenty of exercise without needing a walk. 

 10.00 Time for a rest and morning coffee. All four legs are fitted and bolted in place on the undersides of the gutters. The legs are still splayed. Because they aren't standing centrally over the foundation blocks. 

 The right pair need to move about 15cm/6". The left pair much more. Which should bring them all upright. I still have to bolt the stainless steel plates down to the foundation blocks. Before I can bolt the carport feet onto these plates.  

 I rescued some anchor fixings from the observatory. Then couldn't find any suitable galvanized bolts for the plates. 25mm x M12 would be best. I have used 10mm bolts temporarily. I'll have to go to the builder's merchants this afternoon. The fixing to the ground anchors must have some stiffening effect. On the rather flexible carport framework.

17.00 Back from the builders merchant with 16 x M12 nuts and M12x30mm bolts. I used a torch to fit as many bolts as I could. Just in case it gets windy overnight. Several holes will need to be cleaned of excess galvanizing. Before the bolts will drop in. Quiet winds tonight but 40mph gusts are forecast for Sunday.  

 I still have to refit the central panel and all the screws. Which means I have to come up with a safe way of accessing the carport roof. Not while it is safely on the ground. While it is over 2m high!

 

 

Dinner was beans on toast.
 

  

  ~o~