Remote Construction

BattleRidge

A Kmax will haul 10k pounds but getting them to drop things off is ridiculously expensive. Heli is definitely the way to go if it fits in the budget. We did that for sheetrock here once just to get it to the house in the winter. Its pretty cool to watch. It was that or haul it 50 miles on about 3-4 ft of snow in the mountains.

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Willie T

Me too...

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TempestV

Keep in mind, you will probably need more live load than that in Alaska. You need more than that here, and that's barely makes it at that load.

mics_54

I can't imagine using 2x4 for any exterior wall or floor anyway ..it isn't enough space for insulation.

I'm thinking modules or panels. Panels would probably be easiest for logistics and onsite assembly. Air lift sounds fun but...sleds are pretty convenient and panels can be built in any garage.

Keep in mind most of these structures will be recreational shelters.

TempestV

That would be cool to see. How much did the helicopter charge per hour?

I would think that if you could drop the whole thing in one load, it would be worth it, a lot due to the fact that you could build the whole thing before moving it. If you had to make several trips, I would guess that it would be better off loading it in on sled, trailer, horse, or maybe even a truck, depending on what the access to the site is like.

mics_54

Well to these remote site owners part of the fun is riding the machines and playing in the snow...give them a reason to own the toys. Most of the sites are near water and recreational activity keeps trails packed and groomed. A 500 will pull a 600# sled full of materials on a packed trail at 35 mph fairly easily.

TempestV

It depends on the helicopter. The one that R&R Connor uses on axmen will pick up a bit more than 3000 if I recall correctly, but they aim for 3000 for safety. I have a friend that will be on the next season, hooking logs for R&R. I'll have to ask him.

Garlic helicopters, also based in the Bitteroot, modifies the Huey Cobras for heavy lift, and they will pick up 9000, which is nearly as much as a sky crane. However, they are only used for fire fighting.

Gus Dering

I used a helicopter once in Tacoma WA for a remodel at a hospital.

We needed 12 ft rock and fairly long steel studs to an area of the hospital that would have been a biotch to carry them through the halls and the elevator couldn't handle the lengths.. We had the whole package dropped on the roof real close to the job. What a cool deal that was.

There was a pucker factor for us with visions of this load flying over all those occupied areas of the hospital and breaking up.

Pilot made it look so easy.

Sleds traveling at 35 mph down a trail through the woods seems like a blast too.

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mics_54

The forest service had a chopper sling a dozer in for fighting a fire a few years ago...the had to take the tracks off and sling them separately. The set it down in a clearing.. dummies. Natural clearings in alaska are swamps. It sunk too far to get the tracks back on it. It might still be there.

TempestV

I thought he was referring to rafters for some reason.

by panels, do you mean Sips, or framed panels? Sips would be a pain to do in a garage.

tgeb

Why not drag the sleds with something like an ASV Loader. Then if you need to you can dig your way through any obstacles that may be encountered.

http://www.asvi.com/pdfs/spec_sheets...spec_sheet.pdf

They don't go at 35 mph, but you can level the site with it, move boulders, take down trees, etc.

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mics_54

sips are beyond the capabilities of an average DIYer. My plans will become obsolete once wesley clark gets time travel and teleportation working.

TempestV

As I understand it, the idea here is to make a kit that the owner can haul and build on site. Therefore, the reason to make it haul-able on a sled behind a snow machine or 4 wheeler is because that's what the owner already uses for back country access. The ASV would be great though, as long as the trail is wide enough.

Home Work Pro

If you plan to use vinyl siding on the exterior, you could use 2x4 studs, 1" dow for the sheeting, fiberglass in the pocket, steel t bracing and 1/4" ply on the inside. Panelize 4x8 sections and lock it all together with steel plates.
Single top plates would also lighten the load.
The panels would be very light and easily transportable.
Brian

forsmant

What program do you use to draw those sketches?

naptown CR

This is floor load not roof load

mics_54

Forsmant, I use Google Sketchup. Kewl huh?

forsmant

yes thanks

tgeb

Yeah, I re-read the first post, I get it now....but when these darn nail benders started talking about helicopters.....I thought I would bring it back down to earth.

Sorry for the interruption, carry on.

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mics_54

"Ice Road Skidsteers"!