Thoughts on putting a 2 post vehicle lift in barn hay loft

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

we are looking at farm properties to purchase which better fits our family needs. Since we bought our small 130 year old farm house 12 years ago our family size and vehicle collection has increase to the point we are bursting at the seams. Our current house is a perfect starter home for a young family but I think we have outgrown it.

What we are looking for is as 4 bedroom historic farmhouse with outbuildings to support raising chickens, pigs, goats and a couple horses. We also would like vehicle storage for about 6-7 cars and a shop with a 2 post lift.

We viewed 2 houses last night. The first was in too rough of shape, bones wise, for us to consider. The second had everything we desire, was in excellent shape and had sufficient outbuildings which could support our farm and vehicle needs with the exception of a place to put a 2 post lift. There is a large and beautiful historic barn on the property which has a excellent roof, foundation and support structure. The beams under the hay loft are about 18" - 22" tall and 10" wide. Very stout.

My question to the Pelican brain trust is what are your thoughts about using the center section of the hay loft, the area where horse, buggy and hay wagon was pulled into the bar for unloading, for a vehicle shop including a 2 post lift. I think I would plywood over the existing floor and have a 4-6" concrete slab poured on top of that. The slab would be the whole depth of the barn ~ 30' and as wide as the center section ~ 16'. I would then mount the 2 post lift to the slab of concrete. I might even do radiant floor heating embedded into the concrete.

An additional thought would be to create a false roof and walls which would be heavily insulated and lit.

I did a quick search on the net and could not find an example of what I am envisioning.

Thoughts?

Speedy

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

ben parrish · 04:59 AM

Too much weight for an old structure....have you thought about adding steel I-Beams to add strength? It shouldn't cost much to add the beams and appropriate footings. You may even skip the concrete floor and just add another layer of 2x decking perpendicular to the existing floor.
Either way you go, make sure you have solid sport under the lift...4" of concrete over a span is not stout enough.

Seahawk · 03-10-2012, 04:59 AM

PM your email address...I have done pretty much exactly what you are proposing and have advice and pics I can share.

Great looking house and barn.

PFFOG · 03-10-2012, 05:58 AM

I agree with the I beam reinforcement, and then a good plank floor. Concrete would be WAY heavy, for the existing structure. Many barns collapsed when balers started using wire instead of twine, as the bales were packed tighter, making them heavier. When most old barns were designed, the hay was loose, and not very dense.

lgb240 · 03-11-2012, 01:15 AM

Seahawk,

post some pics here ... I think many of us would like a look ...

Mark Henry · 03-11-2012, 05:58 AM

Can it be done? Maybe with the proper support built under it.
Would I ever do it? No.

The other thought is stay put where you are and have a pole barn put in. You say you "think" your family has outgrown your small farmhouse, just remember that children grow up and leave the nest. In a very short time that bigger house may become too big.
We thought along the same lines as you are when we moved to the country, but now my wife and I are coming to the realization that, once the kids leave, this house will be too big and we will most likely downsize.