July 5: Crane Day - Raising the Walls

Erik and Dave discuss each step of the crane lift.

Erik gives specific instructions for the raising the walls.

Getting all the gear ready - endless loop straps, come-alongs, bolts...

The small shed roof wall on the north side gets lifted first. That was easy.

After the shed roof wall is temporarily braced, the north wall of the barn is lifted...

...and braced in place, slightly leaning out.

The south wall pauses during the lift for come-alongs to be attached.

Once the south wall is secured, the crane lifts the girt connecting the two walls.

Walls are up, connected with the long girt on the east side, and braced.

Erik and Scott install the steel connectors tying the walls together.

The next day, Erik and Scott frame the back wall with post, beams and knee braces.

Come-alongs pull the posts together while Erik connects the knee brace.

It's so exciting to see the walls vertical! Everything went together smoothly and the crane was only here for two hours lifting the three walls and the long connecting girt on the east side. The next couple of days were spent assembling the west wall and connecting the north shed roof wall to the main structure.