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Figure 3

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Figure 2

9. 

Mix concrete, pour into hole, and insert post. Concrete 
should be loose but not soupy and about four inches 
below soil surface. Push post into concrete until the mark 
on the post is level with the string line. Plumb with level. 

10. 

Drive remaining posts into ground. Place ground post 
driver in top of post. Drive post a few inches, then check 
for plumb. Continue until line on post is level with string 
line.

11. 

Add fill dirt. Fill in around cemented posts after concrete 

has set. 

12. 

Install brace bands. Slide brace bands over the posts with 
bolting side facing out. Installation may be easier if you 
spread the brace bands apart with pliers. Push brace band 
down to ground level.

13. 

Bolt EZ-Clip to brace band. With EZ-Clip and bolt in hand, 
place the EZ-Clip small end inside the brace band, then insert 
bolt through holes of brace band and EZ-Clip. Tighten bolt.

Depending on if your tunnel has four- or five-foot bow spacing.

** 

The depth will be determined by your specifications, but ex-

posed post above soil line should not exceed 2 feet. Plastic will 
not go to ground if post exceeds these specifications.

table 3

table 4

Post  

Above Soil

Post  

Below Soil

Hole 

Depth

12"

36"

40"

14"

34"

38"

16"

32"

36"

18"

30"

34"

Post  

Above Soil

Mark from  

Top of Post

12"

0"

14"

2"

16"

4"

18"

6"

Figure 4 (not to Scale)

5'

3'

4'

Post Depth Line

(If string is 12" above soil)

Hole Depth Requirement

18" on center

18" on center

5. 

Check your angles with the 3-4-5 rule. Measure three 
feet from the string intersection on one line, and four feet 
on the other and mark both points. Adjust strings so the 
measure from mark to mark is five feet. Repeat for each 
corner. All diagonal measurements should match. 

See 

Figure 4

6. 

Secure strings on batter board by marking position with 
nail and wrapping.

7. 

Mark string every four or five feet.

*

 Dig holes where you 

plan to add concrete for posts. We recommend concreting 
at least every other post, starting from the corners. You 
may choose more or less concrete depending on soil 
structure and wind exposure. 

See Table 3 and Figure 4

8. 

Mark posts for depth line. Mark each post according to 

Table 4.

**

 

 One side of your tunnel must have the swaged 

One side of your tunnel must have the swaged 

ends of the posts facing up and the other side must face 

ends of the posts facing up and the other side must face 
down. Mark posts accordingly.

down. Mark posts accordingly. 

See compariSon on leFT

Step 12

Step 13

Swaged

Non-swaged

 = 

Recommended

 = 

Recommended

table 2

Distance Between Ground Posts

 

Bow  

Spacing

50-ft

Tunnel

100-ft

Tunnel

4-foot

50"

48"

5-foot

60"

60"

4

5

Summary of Contents for Caterpillar Tunnel

Page 1: ...Caterpillar Tunnel a s s e m b ly a n d i n s t r u c t i o n m a n u a l Watch the video Scan the code or visit fflc us tunnel s 16 ft wide ...

Page 2: ...r world a healthier happier place and we are developing the tools to make your work more productive and enjoyable Your success is our success From the whole team here at Farmers Friend I want to wish you a happy and extended growing season May your days be filled with more veggies and flowers and less stress Thank you again for your trust in us Jonathan Dysinger Owner Chief Innovator P S Don t hes...

Page 3: ...Permanent Marker Saw Drill Tape Measure Sledge Hammer String Post Hole Digger Level 1 2 Wrench Ground Post Driver Materials Needed 6 2 4 8 Boards 11 2 Wood Screws Concrete Mix Materials Included A Self Tapping Screws B Nuts and Bolts C Brace Bands D EZ Clips E Ground Posts 1 Mark greenhouse corners With a rock or some other object mark general position of greenhouse corners 2 Make batter boards fo...

Page 4: ...able 3 table 4 Post Above Soil Post Below Soil Hole Depth 12 36 40 14 34 38 16 32 36 18 30 34 Post Above Soil Mark from Top of Post 12 0 14 2 16 4 18 6 Figure 4 Not to scale 5 3 4 Post Depth Line If string is 12 above soil Hole Depth Requirement 18 on center 18 on center 5 Check your angles with the 3 4 5 rule Measure three feet from the string intersection on one line and four feet on the other a...

Page 5: ...Driver Bit Materials Included A Side Curtain Hooks B Self Tapping Screws C Classic Bow Sections D Gothic Center Bow Sections Only included in Gothic Tunnels B O W A S S E M B LY Classic Gothic Classic Gothic Watch the video Scan the code or visit fflc us bow assembly v Step 1 Step 2 2 Step 2 1 Step 3 Figure 5 Complete bow assembly Swaged ends Non swaged ends Classic Bow Gothic Bow Grey lines repre...

Page 6: ...ger tighten nut 5 Center cross brace in the peak then tighten nuts 6 Repeat process for correct number of bows See Table 3 Tools Needed 2 Pairs of Pliers 1 2 Socket or Wrench Materials Included A Nuts and Bolts B Brace Bands C Cross Braces Watch the video Scan the code or visit fflc us cross bracing v Step 1 Step 4 Step 3 Step 5 39 39 39 39 100 ft Tunnel with 4 ft bow spacing 100 ft Tunnel with 4 ...

Page 7: ...dllc com CLASSIC CLASSIC PRO GOTHIC GOTHIC PRO UPGRADE The Lift Kit is not to be used in conjunction with Ground Posts The Lift Kit is not to be used in conjunction with Ground Posts 1 Insert a Lift Kit post into bottom of each bow 2 Connect posts with one self tapping screw on the side of each joint Make sure screw head is not facing out or it can cause damage to the plastic 3 Slide the completed...

Page 8: ...n strap clasp over one T post at each end 3 Insert purlin strap into clasp at one end then wrap strap ping around each bow Using a step ladder wrap purlin strap around the top center of each bow Ensure bows are standing up straight and strap is in a straight line down the center 4 Insert purlin strap into clasp at the opposite end of the tunnel 5 Pull purlin strap as tight as possible from each en...

Page 9: ... tapping screws to attach the purlin tube to the first bow Tools Needed Ladder Drill or Impact Driver 5 16 Driver Bit 7 16 Socket or Wrench Level Optional Materials Included A Tube Strap B Cross Connectors with Hardware C Self Tapping Screws D 78 Swaged Purlin Tubes E 75 Non Swaged Purlin Tube S T R U C T U R E S U P P O R T Solid Center Purlin Solid Center Purlin Watch the video Scan the code or ...

Page 10: ...ing down to avoid snagging plastic Tools Needed 2 Pairs of Pliers Ladder Drill or Impact Driver 5 16 Driver Bit 1 2 Socket or Wrench 3 8 Socket or Wrench Materials Included A Stainless Steel Cable B Cable Clamps C Brace Bands D Nuts and Bolts E Self Tapping Screws F Thimble G Trellis Wire Hangers S T R U C T U R E S U P P O R T Trellising Kit Trellising Kit Watch the video Scan the code or visit f...

Page 11: ...ten nut Make sure bolts face to the inside of Make sure bolts face to the inside of the tunnel to avoid puncturing the plastic the tunnel to avoid puncturing the plastic 4 Slide a brace band onto Bow 2 5 Attach other end of wind brace to brace band on Bow 2 At its natural connecting height attach wind brace from bow three to brace band on bow two Finger tighten nut 6 Ensure both bows are visually ...

Page 12: ...sing at least one channel per end Side ventilation will be incrementally restricted when using two or more channels Spring wire can be removed to increase ventilation however repeated installing and removing however repeated installing and removing of wire will wear out plastic of wire will wear out plastic End walls can assist with ventilation 4 Install spring wire into the channel after plastic ...

Page 13: ... spool Pull plastic tight from the opposite end Repeat 5 Install anti billowing rope Tie to EZ Clip on spot 1 and pull spool to other end of tunnel Clip into EZ Clip on spot 3 Pull out enough rope between spot 1 and 3 to throw over tunnel Clip into spot 2 Repeat to the end See Figure 8 6 Tighten Rope Have one person at spot 2 and one person at spot 3 Person at spot 2 will pull rope down with left ...

Page 14: ...d run through clips to corner 2 EZ Clip Starting at corner 1 pull rope down to EZ Clips between clips Pull rope tight and tie off corner 2 Repeat on other side Method 2 Attach clips to cloth at each bow Tie rope from each clip to EZ Clip below 4 Wiggle wire shade cloth to end bows Optional Keep existing wiggle wire used to secure plastic in channel Additional wiggle wires can be used on top of exi...

Page 15: ...762 Dry Prong Rd Williamsport TN 38487 support farmersfriendllc com 931 583 0397 ...

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