Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Mar 03, 1999 02:35am | #1

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   Herman, If you built that barn a hundred and thirty years ago, you probably aren't going to be around for too much longer to worry about any problems.I sometimes wonder how long I'll be able to do this type of physical work, so you have just given me alot of hope. I should be good to go for another 90 years or so. Good luck with your doors and say hi to Willard Scott for me.
   feeling younger already... Scott

2. 
   HERMAN | Mar 03, 1999 04:15am | #2

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   BOY I GUESS I'M REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO WATCH WHAT I SAY. YOU GOT ME ON THAT ONE SCOTT. THANKS FOR THE REPLY. WHAT I SHOULD HAVE SAID WAS REBUILT.

   HERMAN

1. 
   wildwill_ | Mar 03, 1999 06:46am | #3

   *130 YEARS OF MEMORIES, BUILT IN A MUCH SIMPLER TIME, THE SWEET SMELL OF FRESH CUT HAY IN THE SUMMER,THE SHELTER FROM THE COLD WINTER WIND, BABIES ANIMALS IN THE SPRING. I'VE BEEN AROUND BARNS AND AG ALL MY LIFE. TELL ME ABOUT YOUR DOORS AND THE BARN. MIGHT BE SOMETHING I CAN USE AT MY PLACE.

3. 
   Guest_ | Mar 03, 1999 08:40am | #4

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   b Herman what kind of openers?

   b What size doors?

   b Sliding track?

   b little green men who stand by to open the doors???

   Sorry, got carried away there. Give the details about what you did and please use some of the lower case letters

4. 
   HERMAN | Mar 03, 1999 03:18pm | #5

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   The barn is 30 x 70 with a gable roof and to barn doors in front. The doors are 10' high x 16' wide and are on door track that we purchased at lowes home improvements. they are operated by to large interior mechanical openers with chain drive and are wired with remote and manual openers (push button on wall) and can also be opened by pulling down on a lever similar to a regular garage door opener and then sliding them open by hand.

1. 
   HERMAN | Mar 03, 1999 03:26pm | #6

   *The openers are large industrail sliding door openers and the doors roll on track purchased at lowe's. the 2 doors are 10' x 16', one opens as a single unit the other as a double door. I'll give you the name of the opener tonight when i get back from the barn. I want to duoble check the name but I believe its asco. The only green men there was us when we lifted the sections onto the track. The doors are 2 x 6 construction with t x g pine and iso insulation inside then covered with t x g over the iso.

1. 
   wildwill_ | Mar 04, 1999 07:19am | #7

   *WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU FORSEE? SOUNDS LIKE THE DOORS ARE WELL MADE,MAYBE A LITTLE HEAVIE FOR THE SMALLER SIZE TRACKS THAT ARE MADE THESE DAYS. JUST LOOKED UP DOOR TRACK IN THE GRAINGER CATALOG, STANLEY 13GA FOR DOORS THAT WEIGH 1000# OR LESS 500# PER ROLLER. KEEP THEM WELL OILED AND THE BIRDS OUT OF THE TRACKS THEY'LL WORK FINE. DOOR OPENERS SHOULD BE OK. I HAVE SOME OF THE SAME STILE ON MY BUILDING AT WORK, THEY SEEM TO WORK OK.

1. 
   HERMAN | Mar 04, 1999 03:08pm | #8

   *Like you said the doors are heavy but I've installed the track hangers at 3' on center so I don't have any problems there. My concern is the torque that the openers are putting on the wood framing of the door I just don't think the pine will hold up after years of automatic opening. If they were opened by hand then there would be no problem. The control arm that moves the door is 15" from door to track putting a initial twist on the door. The track had to be installed that far away because of the beam thickness.

5. 
   Guest_ | Mar 05, 1999 10:33am | #9

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   Herman,

   Make a new 15" bracket that spreads the force out farther on the door...Done.

   Jack : )

6. 
   HERMAN | Mar 05, 1999 02:58pm | #10

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   Good idea Jack! Thanks, Herman

7. 
   HERMAN | Mar 07, 1999 08:28pm | #11

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   I'VE INSTALLED AUTOMATIC SLIDING BARN DOORS ON A 130 YEAR OLD BARN THAT I BUILT AND I FORSEE SOME PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE I WONDER IF ANYONE HAS DONE THIS BEFORE AND COULD GIVE ME SOME INSIGHT. IF SOMEONE RESPONDS I'LL GO INTO MORE DETAIL THEN. THANKS.

8. 
   Guest_ | Mar 07, 1999 08:28pm | #12

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   Use a loop of (stainless stell) wire rope attached to carriers and drive it with the garage door opener - which with pulleys, etc., can be located anywhere.

9. 
   Kaart | Apr 26, 2011 05:35pm | #13

   Automatic Barn Doors

   Looks like a few years have gone by since you posted, but Propel Doors (http://www.propeldoors.com) has a system for automating the large sliding doors you'd find on a pole barn or machine shed. They can do doors up to 40+ feet. It's less than half the cost of replacing the sliders with an overhead door, and you won't be giving up any opening height.  You'll find videos on the website. Good luck.