Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
DIY High Tunnel Plans
02/28/2024
Read All Instructions Before Beginning Your Build
Thank you for choosing Bootstrap Farmer for your farm's equipment needs.
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
Related Manuals for Bootstrap Farmer DIY High Tunnel Plans
Summary of Contents for Bootstrap Farmer DIY High Tunnel Plans
- Page 1 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.
-
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Table of Contents.........................2 Identifying Structure Components.....................4 Recommended Tool List....................5 Parts List- Kit Components......................6 Hardware in Bolt Packs......................7 Locally Sourced Parts......................8 Optional Add-Ons*........................9 Hoop Bender........................9 Finished Height Hoop House Width (ft) | Approximate Height (ft)........9 Location Of Hoop House....................9 The Build Process........................ - Page 3 Constructing the Door Header................... 26 Installing Side Posts....................27 Building the Door....................... 27 Greenhouse Plastic....................... 28 Installation........................29 Optional Components....................... 31 Roll-Up Sides.........................31 Double Layer Air Inflation Kit....................34 Attach the Mounting Bracket and Fan................34 Wiring Notes......................34 Install Hose Hook Up to Motor................... 35 Install Hose to Endwall Flange...................36 Double Layer Plastic......................
-
Page 4: Identifying Structure Components
Identifying Structure Components Page 4 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com... -
Page 5: Recommended Tool List
● Slip joint pliers ● Scissors/blade HEIGHT WARNING: 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. Refer to their safety equipment recommendations and best practices for the unit you rent during use, loading, unloading, and transport. -
Page 6: Parts List- Kit Components
Parts List- Kit Components 6 Mil Greenhouse Plastic Lock Channel & Spring Wire Ground Post Driver Cross Connector 1-⅜” Endwall Cross Connector (Optional Add-on) 16 GA 1-⅜” Ground Posts Bolts DIY Starter Bolts DIY Addon (kits 40’ in length or over) Page 6 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com... -
Page 7: Hardware In Bolt Packs
Hardware in Bolt Packs ¾” Self Tap Screws ¼” Lock Washers ¼” Nuts ¼” Flat Washers ¼” x 2” Hex Bolt ¼” x 3.5” Carriage 2 ½” Phillips Flat 1 ¼” Phillips Flat Bolt Head Wood Screw Head Wood Screw ¼”... -
Page 8: Locally Sourced Parts
Locally Sourced Parts 10' x 1⅜" top rail 8’ x 1-⅝” fence line posts 1" x 6" x 8' wood for baseboard 2" x 4" x 8' stud for door 1" x 4" x 8’ board for door 2" x 6" x 12' board for frame end-walls Page 8... -
Page 9: Optional Add-Ons
Optional Add-Ons* *Not included in Base Kit Hoop Bender Our hoop benders allow you to bend your own hoops to 10', 12', or 20' wide high tunnel hoop house out of 1⅜" chain link fence top rail. Each hoop bender includes the bender, hardware for attachment to any solid flat surface, and an extension bar for added leverage at the end of your bend. -
Page 10: The Build Process
The Build Process Weed Barrier Optional: Install landscape fabric prior to installing ground posts. It is recommended that you line the perimeter of the greenhouse 1’ inside and 4’ along the outside with landscape fabric so that you will prevent erosion from the water the greenhouse sheds, and so you don’t have to mow or use a weedeater next to your greenhouse! Accidentally throwing debris through your greenhouse plastic is a surefire way to get holes in your plastic! -
Page 11: Calculating The Quantity Of Posts Needed
Calculating the Quantity of Posts Needed: ● Determine the length of your greenhouse (in feet). ● Divide this length by 4 to calculate the number of hoops. ● Add 1 to this result for the total number of hoops and, consequently, the total number of fence line posts required. -
Page 12: Installing The Ground Posts
Installing the Ground Posts First, measure out your area with temporary stakes by squaring the Hoop House. Squaring The Hoop House Making sure 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. Tools ●... -
Page 13: Setting The Ground Posts
Setting the Ground Posts: Read each step before driving the ground posts into the ground. 1. Position and Install Corner Posts: Place the corner posts at your pre-marked spots. Start driving these posts into the ground, ensuring they're correctly positioned where you initially marked. 2. -
Page 14: Bending Poles To Make Hoops
Bending Poles to Make Hoops Note the following: 10-12 ft wide hoop house requires (2) 10 ft 1 3/8" top rail per hoop. 20 ft wide requires (3) 10 ft 1 3/8" top rail per hoop. Scan the QR Code for information on Making Hoops or visit https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/products/ground-post Bending Poles to Make Round Hoops... -
Page 15: Connecting And Setting Hoops
8. For 10’ and 12’ hoops: Stop bending at the mark that is 9 inches from the end on the second pole of each hoop. 9. For 20’ hoops: Stop bending at the mark that is 9 inches from the end on the third pole of each hoop. -
Page 16: Installing Hoops To Ground Posts
Installing Hoops to Ground Posts 1. While on a ladder, one person eyeballs the top of the hoops as a partner adjusts the height of the hoops at the ground posts. (20’ has a center height of 10.75’. The 12’ has a center height of 8’, and the 10’ width has a center height of 8.5’.) 2. -
Page 17: Ridge Poles
Ridge Poles End Wall Cross Connector 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-tapping screw to all tension bands and end wall cross connectors - but not the saddle-type cross connectors on the interior hoops. -
Page 18: Installing End Wall Cross Connectors
Installing End Wall Cross Connectors 1. Place the end wall cross connector on the peak of the end wall hoop. 2. Place the Ridge Pole past the lower loop, not further than 1/2 way past the hoop, and tighten the gold nut and bolt supplied with the end wall cross connector. If the ridge pole extends past the end wall hoop, it will wear on the plastic once installed. -
Page 19: Cross Connectors And Ridge Poles
Cross Connectors and Ridge Poles Ridge poles and cross connectors work together to connect and stabilize the hoops. Optional purlins and additional cross connectors further stabilize the structure and are installed the same way outlined below. Tools Parts (PER 20FT) ●... - Page 20 Depending on the length of your greenhouse, you will need to cut off the excess from the final ridge pole before installing the end wall cross connector. Install the final end wall cross connector on the last hoop as outlined above. Scan QR for info on Ridge Poles or visit https://youtu.be/AfTKTvcqw20...
-
Page 21: Install Baseboards
Install Baseboards For baseboards, we use the 1" x 6" x 8' ledger boards. These will be in contact with the ground, so using a water-resistant wood like cedar, redwood, or pine is ideal. We also recommend coating the boards with latex paint. 1. -
Page 22: Installing Lock Channel
6. Place a zinc-plated 3.5" x ¼” carriage bolt through the wood and attach it with a washer and nut on the hoop end. Installing Lock Channel The spring wire channel can now be installed on the hip boards and baseboards. Tools Parts ●... -
Page 23: End Walls And Doors For Hoop Houses
bend the channel before installing it. End Walls and Doors for Hoop Houses Tools Parts ● Drill & Drill Bits ● #8 self tap ● Clamps ● #10 self tap ● Metal Saw ● Lock channel ● Bubble Level ● 2" x 6" x 12' board ●... -
Page 24: Before Installing The Door Frame
Before Installing the Door Frame Install Baseboards: First, if not already done, install baseboards at the front and back ends of your greenhouse. Extend the baseboard along the full length of the greenhouse, securing it to the ground posts using 3.5” by ¼” carriage bolts. This step is crucial for providing a stable foundation for the door frame. -
Page 25: Marking And Cutting The Door Frame
Marking and Cutting the Door Frame 1. Divide the Door Width: Divide the total width of the intended door by two to find the center point for each side of the door frame. 2. Mark the Hoop: Measure from the center of the hoop to each side using the half-width measurement you've calculated. -
Page 26: Constructing The Door Header
of the stud is positioned behind the baseboard (inside the greenhouse). 2. Level and Secure: a. Use a bubble level to ensure the stud is vertically level. b. Secure the stud to the baseboard with 2-½” wood screws. Constructing the Door Header 1. -
Page 27: Installing Side Posts
5. Add an Upper 2x4: ● Cut another 2x4 to sit directly above the header, forming an 'L' shape, and flush with the outer edge of the door frame. ● This reinforces the header. Secure it in place with screws. Installing Side Posts 1. -
Page 28: Greenhouse Plastic
Greenhouse Plastic Make sure you can finish securing the plastic before you stop for the day so it doesn't blow away on you. Roll the plastic out and drape over the length of the greenhouse. Ensure there is an equal amount of plastic that overhangs both ends. Installing plastic can be the most intimidating part of your build, but once you get going, you will find it to be pretty straightforward. -
Page 29: Installation
Installation 1. Install spring wire starting at the middle top of the hoop down to the hip board. 2. Spring wire from the top down on the other side of the hoop. 3. On the opposite end wall, pull the plastic tight and repeat steps 1 and 2 4. - Page 30 1. While making sure the "inside" label is facing the inside of the house, install spring wire along your base board while keeping the plastic stretched left & right 2. Next, stretch the plastic up and work from the top of the hoop to one side. You will keep pressure by pulling up and out.
-
Page 31: Optional Components
Optional Components Roll-Up Sides Parts: Tools ● 2 Roll-up Cranks ● ¾” Inner EMT Couplings ● Drill and drill bits ● Snap On Clamps (every 2') ● Metal saw *SNAP CLAMPS ONLY FIT 3/4 EMT- ● Single Jack (3 pound hammer) DO NOT USE PVC PIPES! ●... - Page 32 5. Following instructions in the box, install the hand crank on ¾” EMT. Scan QR for info on Rollup Sides or visit https://youtu.be/zdlP_L-fAYg Page 32 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com...
- Page 33 Page 33 Need Help? contact@bootstrapfarmer.com www.bootstrapfarmer.com...
- Page 34 Installation 1. Roll the end of the plastic onto the EMT pipe you made earlier. Make sure you roll it under the pipe like in the diagram so that the rolled plastic does not collect rainwater. 2. Install eye bolts on every other hoop alternating between the hip boards and baseboards to create a zig-zag pattern.
-
Page 35: Double Layer Air Inflation Kit
Double Layer Air Inflation Kit We recommend pulling outside fresh air with the inflation fan. If you draw the air from inside of the hoop house itself to inflate your double layers, all of that excess moisture from the humidity will end up between your plastic layers. -
Page 36: Install Hose Hook Up To Motor
● Wired directly to an outlet box **Refer to local building codes and consult a licensed electrician if in doubt about electrical work. Install Hose Hook Up to Motor 1. Remove Baffle Cover 2. Install Metal Ring to Motor with #8 Self Tap Screws. Note the New Baffle position. 3. -
Page 37: Install Hose To Endwall Flange
far to space the ring so the screws do not interfere with the squirrel cage inside. See picture 4. 5. Location of correctly spaced self-tap screws. 6. Once the motor is installed inside of the house, in the previously installed bracket, insert hose tips into the bracket and twist. -
Page 38: Shade Cloth
Shade Cloth Installation ● Shade Cloth Clips - A plastic clamshell with spikes that grip the shade cloth with a hole in the middle to strap with rope, strap, or other securing line. This works best if your shade cloth doesn't reach your hip board. Clips should be installed at least every 24"...