1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Bootstrap Farmer Manuals
  4. Greenhouse Kit
  5. CAT Tunnel
  6. Instructions and owner's manual

Bootstrap Farmer CAT Tunnel Instructions And Owner's Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual

CAT Tunnel

Instructions and Owner's Manual
1/20/2024
Thank you for choosing Bootstrap Farmer for your farm's equipment needs. Our
All-Metal Caterpillar Tunnel Kit is manufactured with 100% American-made steel
and aluminum for maximum strength and durability.
Our team strives to provide quality products that are built to last. From all of us at
Bootstrap Farmer, we thank you for putting your trust in us.
If you have any questions, please reach out. We are available 7 days a week by
phone, email, and chat.
1(888)-406-1982
contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com
Page 1
Need Help?
contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the CAT Tunnel and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Bootstrap Farmer CAT Tunnel

Summary of Contents for Bootstrap Farmer CAT Tunnel

  • Page 1: Cat Tunnel

    CAT Tunnel Instructions and Owner's Manual 1/20/2024 Thank you for choosing Bootstrap Farmer for your farm’s equipment needs. Our All-Metal Caterpillar Tunnel Kit is manufactured with 100% American-made steel and aluminum for maximum strength and durability. Our team strives to provide quality products that are built to last. From all of us at Bootstrap Farmer, we thank you for putting your trust in us.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Batten Strap Install Diagram Install Plastic on Doors Diagrams for Plastic Pleating and Door Position Installing Second Door Panel Installing Batten Strap Gutter Line Using the doors on your CAT tunnel Sidewall Ventilation Maintenance Page 2 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com...

  • Page 3: Recommended Tool List

    HEIGHT WARNING: The 20' kit has a center height of 9'4" which means you will have to work 10-12' from the ground. The 14' kit has a center height of 7'4". BOOTSTRAP FARMER cannot be held liable for unsafe work practices. Installers and Farm Owners are encouraged to rent a lift from your local equipment rental company.

  • Page 4: Cat Tunnel Placement

    Cat Tunnel Placement We recommend finding a flat area of land, clear of any trees and far enough away from existing structures to avoid runoff and snow drifts. Pay attention to the drainage in the area. Extra groundwork may be required to divert water runoff caused by regular watering.
  • Page 5 Cleat Ball Bungee Ground Post Clip Nylon Batten Driver (Carabiner) Strap ¼” x 2” Bolts Hoop Spring Post Spring Greenhouse Drill Guide Plastic Stickers Door Hardware Door Cross Connector Endwall Cross 75in Swaged Brackets 1.375 Connector Ridge Pole Page 5 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com...

  • Page 6: Labeled Cad Drawings

    36” x 1” Lock Channel / Bundled Hoop Tool Hardware Brace Band Ground Posts Spring Wire Packs *Ground Post Pack Options ● 14/20- (12) 14/40- (22) 14/60- (32) 14/80- (42) 14/100- (52) ● 20/20- (12) 20/40- (22) 20/60- (32) 20/80- (42) 20/100- (52) **Hoop Pack Options ●...

  • Page 7: Ground Posts

    Ground Posts Optional: Install landscape fabric before installing ground posts. It is recommended that you line the perimeter of the tunnel 1’ inside and 3’ along the outside with landscape fabric to prevent erosion from the water that the tunnel sheds. Also, you won’t have to mow or trim next to your caterpillar tunnel, accidentally throwing debris through your greenhouse plastic! Scan QR Code for information on Landscape Fabric or visit...

  • Page 8: Squaring Your Structure

    Squaring Your Structure Ensuring that your first four corner posts are square will provide you with a base to work from to ensure the rest of the posts are easy to install plumb and level. Using one of the following methods, set your corners. Measure Method - First, measure length to length.

  • Page 9: Installing The Ground Posts

    Installing the Ground Posts Once your area is measured out with temporary stakes, install each corner ground post at the marked location from the previous step. Place your posts where you had previously marked the corners and begin driving those into the ground. While driving the posts into the ground, you want to ensure the poles are plumb in all directions.

  • Page 10: Hoops

    Install Ground Post Springs- Put one Figure 8 spring onto each ground post with the larger ring slid around the ground post and the smaller ring facing up and to the outside before installing the hoops. Put one clip on each smaller ring of the ground post spring. These are where you will attach the batten strap in later steps.
  • Page 11 Pole Layout for Hoops Our pre-bent poles (96” swaged) come with one open end and one swaged end to decrease the diameter, similar to a pipe nipple. This enables you to connect poles without the use of fittings. The final hoop section (99” pole bent) is open on both ends. When properly constructed, the bottom of the hoops will be open to slide over the ground posts.

  • Page 12: Connect And Install Hoops

    ● Install Hoop Springs - Start at one end wall, count three hoops from the end, and install a CAT tunnel hoop spring on both sides of that third hoop. The ears of the hoop spring will face inward and down toward the ground.

  • Page 13: Installing Hoops To Ground Posts

    Installing Hoops to Ground Posts *Make sure all your springs are in place before moving on* Scan QR for info on Installing Hoops to Ground Posts or visit https://youtu.be/wMiQLfUz4Bw?si=8NKHaqFp_KFQZmwC&t=405 1. Measure 3’’ above the ground and mark the side of the hoop 2.

  • Page 14: Cross Connectors And Ridge Poles

    Cross Connectors and Ridge Poles End Wall Cross Connectors The end wall connector is manufactured in the OPEN position for easier installation over the hoops. End wall cross connectors help to keep the ridgepole from extending past the end hoops and poking the plastic end walls. We recommend adding a #8 self-tap screw to all brace bands and end wall cross connectors - but not the saddle-type cross connectors.

  • Page 15: Cross Connectors And Ridge Poles

    Installing End Wall Cross Connectors 1. Place the Ridge Pole past the lower loop but not further than 1/2 way past the hoop, and tighten the gold nut and bolt supplied with the end wall cross connector. 2. Pre-drill on the side of the connector (see linked video above) with a 3/16” drill bit.

  • Page 16: Install Ridge Pole And Connectors

    Install Ridge Pole and Connectors Loosely place a cross connector on the top of the rest of the hoops. Starting at one end wall, carefully ensure that the end wall is still plumb. Connect the ridge poles with #8 self-tap through from the bottom or side at the swaged connection.

  • Page 17: Install Corner Braces

    Install Corner Braces Corner Brace Kit Standard on 20’ Wide (Optional on 14’) Tools - ● Ladder ● Tape Measure ● Drill ● ● Ratchet & Sockets Parts - (hardware included) ● 2 - 1 ⅜” Brace Bands ● Flat Swage 36in Brace ●...

  • Page 18: Doors

    Doors Tools ● Drill & ¼” bit ● Level ● Step ladder ● Tape measure ● Square Parts ● # 10 self-tap screws ● ¼ x 2" Bolt (8) ● ¼ Nut (8) ● ¼ Split lock washer (8) ● ¼ Flat washer (16) ●...

  • Page 19: Drilling The Hoops To Make Doors

    Drilling the hoops to make doors. 1. Lay the hoop on a flat surface to mark it. Place a piece of plywood or scrap wood at least 12 inches long under the base of the hoop. 2. Find the centerline of the hoop and mark it. This is done with a square placed on the board and up against the hoop.

  • Page 20: Installing Door Brackets

    Installing Door Brackets 1. Standing inside the tunnel, facing towards the door, is the correct orientation for placing the left and right door guides. 2. The right side guide goes on your right, and the left side guide goes on your left.

  • Page 21: Installing Doors

    Installing Doors It will take two people to install the door. One to hold the door hoops in place while the other does the fastening. 1. Working from the outside inward: Install a 2’’ x ¼’’ bolt through the side of the door guide into the hole closest to the end wall.

  • Page 22: Install Cleats

    Install Cleats Tools - ● Drill with 5/16” bit ● Center punch ● Square (to measure 60° angle) ● Marker Parts - ● Cleats ● Strapping ○ Cut four pieces at 8’ long each. Installing Cleats Cleats go between 5’ and 6’ from the ground. They are installed on the end wall hoop, and the bottom/second door hoop in line with each other when the hoops are vertical.

  • Page 23: Attach Lock Channel To End Walls And Door Hoops

    Attach lock channel to end walls and door hoops Tools - ● Drill with bit ● Clamps ● Metal Saw (reciprocating, chop or hack saw) ● Metal file Parts - ● Lock Channel ● #8 self-tapping screws Installing Lock Channel Lock channel will be installed on both of the end wall hoops and each door hoop.

  • Page 24: Install Greenhouse Plastic

    Roll the plastic out and drape over the length of the CAT tunnel. Installing plastic can be the most intimidating part of your build. Still, once you get going, you will find it to be pretty straightforward.

  • Page 25: Install Greenhouse Plastic On The End Walls

    6-12 inches of plastic all the way around to make reinstallation easier.*** Install Batten Strapping The batten strapping will run the length of your CAT tunnel from one hoop to the next hoop by going up and over the structure. You will then go back down the structure tying down the plastic to the opposing hoops.
  • Page 26 3. Throw the rope across the second hoop on the opposite side. Hook the strap through the clip. Pull through enough slack to throw the ball back over. 4. Crisscross the strap back over the opposite side, using a painter’s pole to assist in grabbing it.

  • Page 27: Batten Strap Install Diagram

    Batten Strap Install Diagram Black = Hoops Blue = 1st Door Hoop Orange = 2nd Door Hoop on Ground Green = Door Bracket Purple = Batten Strap Gray = Film outline once installed and doors closed Page 27 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com...

  • Page 28: Install Plastic On Doors

    Install Plastic on Doors 1. Reset the 1st door hoop at the 60° you tied it off with the batten strap on the cleat earlier in the build process. 2. Install plastic on the end wall hoop from door bracket to door bracket, arching over the top of the hoop with spring wire into the end-wall hoop lock channel.

  • Page 29: Diagrams For Plastic Pleating And Door Position

    Diagrams for Plastic Pleating and Door Position Page 29 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com...
  • Page 30 Page 30 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com...

  • Page 31: Installing Second Door Panel

    7. Once the plastic is secure, trim off the excess loose film. Installing Second Door Panel For the second door panel, attach the plastic in one straight line in the same channel you just installed the pleated end of the 1st door panel. It will fit. 1.

  • Page 32: Installing Batten Strap Gutter Line

    Installing Batten Strap Gutter Line 1. Attach the batten strap to the first end wall clip (carabiner style). 2. Attach a wiffle ball to the batten strap. Be sure to leave a long tale. 3. Throw the batten strap across the structure and directly through the center of the end wall hoop and first door hoop and connect the batten strap at the opposite end’s end wall clip (carabiner style), creating a v-shape gutter.

  • Page 33: Using The Doors On Your Cat Tunnel

    Using the doors on your CAT tunnel The doors fold up from the ground to the last/end wall hoop. You can lift up one or both of the last two hoops for ventilation. These can be secured open using the ball bungee on the dock cleat, or a rope can be used if you wish to have the doors open halfway.

Table of Contents