Pit price

[steamguy56]

John if memory serves me right, I put 5yds in floor, 5yds, in the walls 5yds in the apron. 15x4 5 deep works great. As said before can use small ladder to clim up into bus if needed, mostly all is at arms length. Drive bus to 2, 3ft of end use ladder to go under. Pull over few feet for rear. Had a problem pulling over the great void, solved that with 2 4x8 sheets of aluminum plates placed over the hole(not to drive on just cover up the hole) Can worm them out easy enough. Built dry sumps in each corner with 2 inch pvc through bottom of wall. The barn I put over, did not have to be as tall as planed. The key is scissor trusses, always check by the truss plant to see if weeds are growing around pile of trusses (got them cheep). On the price done all work myself with helpers hired when needed apr. 4000. Now I had alot of things available to me your average busnut just don't have(compliments of my junk yards).
  Your price turn key may not be to bad....when asked why I did all this, the answer..SAFTY.. Oh by the way it doubles as the Airstream motorhome cover when not in use.
               Danny

[johns4104s]

Does anyone know what heavy duty material I can use to cover the pit when the bus is gone, This would play in the size of the angle I use to concrete in around the edges.
Tom, Thanks, I will remember to measure between the duals.

John

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi John,

You can have your concrete guy make a recessed lip at the top of the pit that is about 2" on the inside.

When the bus is gone, you can cut 2"x12" plank boards to fill the entire top of the pit.

My dad did it that way and after the plank boards, he covered the wood with a strip of rubber matt and

you couldn't even tell the pit was there. You can also cut an I-beam to fit the opening to use for jacking of bus

parts that are over the pit hole.

Good Luck
Nick-

[Dreamscape]

Hi John,

Remember this phrase "Build it and They We will come!"

Hope you get it done soon as I need to use it! HA

Good Luck and for those of you guys who have one, this is what every Bus Nut dreams of.

Paul

[Sam 4106]

Hi Guys,
I built my pit 44" wide X 5' deep X 20' long. I have never used more than 12' of the length. I cover the 12' of the pit I use with 44" X 48" pieces of 3/4" plywood, and the 8' I don't use with 3/8" aluminum deck plate. I recently bought an old scissor lift that I plan to put in the bottom of my pit. When the platform is up it will cover the hole. When I want to use the pit I will ride the platform down to whatever height is comfortable to work from. When completly lowered, the platform will be 5' below the floor. Any one have a 120 volt single phase AC electric hydraulic unit for sale to replace the 12 Volt battery pump I have now. If so my home number is 507 area code 895 local 3216. I don't have a cell phone, so if I don't answer, please leave a message
Thanks, Sam 4106

[HB of CJ]

Sometimes it's crazy how threads morph.  Are you in "storm" country?  Maybe you can modify your pit into a shelter or swimming pool.  Of course plugging something in while wading might not be a good idea, but being able to live thru a tornado might be cool also. 

[makemineatwostroke]

John; we have metal floor grate on ours if you are in a industrial area the stuff is cheap at junk yards get the guy to pour you a angle iron frame in the concrete and cut the grate to size I have 5 pcs 4x4 for 20 ft plus you can drive on it   have a great evening

[johns4104s]

Can you drive the bus in it or just the toad?

Thx

John

[makemineatwostroke]

John; yes you can drive on it but you need a beam (5 in) where each of the sections join I have 3 removable beams in mine look at the drains in truck docks they have floor grating        have a great day

[buswarrior]

From a safety standpoint, plan to have the pit covered when not in use.

A fall into the pit can grievously injure or kill.

The trade magazines also have vendors who sell sliding nets for use to catch the unaware.

Make whatever cover you choose easy to use, or you'll start leaving it open...

You would be surprised at the number of people who step off the edge in a facility they have worked in for years!

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[johns4104s]

Bus Warrier,

Thank You Excellent point,

John

[JackConrad]

A friend had a piece of steel angle iron set in the concrete all the way around the top edge of his pit. He then welded a small section on pipe in each corner to serve as a socket for removable pipe stanchions that have lightweight chain running between them. They are kept in place anytime a vehicle is not over the pit.  Jack

[NewbeeMC9]

Sometimes it's crazy how threads morph.  Are you in "storm" country?  Maybe you can modify your pit into a shelter or swimming pool.  Of course plugging something in while wading might not be a good idea, but being able to live thru a tornado might be cool also. 

Or a hot tub,  you could come out from under your bus all clean and relaxed ,  Who says it not good therapy.

[Len Silva]

Oh yeah, a lap pool with a wave machine.