[RE-wrenches] helical screw piers

Mon Jan 26 07:45:04 PST 2009

We have also used the local franchisee of TechnoMetal Posts for many jobs
that are ground mounts.

Around $250 per post is what we paid also.

They were in and out on our last job in 2 days, but their machine did break
down for a while. They placed 32 posts in 2 arrays for a 12.6 kWp array (60
modules).

We marked the 4 corners of each array & told them how far apart to place the
posts & off they went. Marked, drove, cut off those too high & welded on
extensions to those too short, then ground the welds & painted.

We also topped them with Unirac U-LA racking and it lined up well.

-Glenn

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Larry Brown
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 7:24 AM
To: info at asappower.com; RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] helical screw piers

Wrenches,

We used a company called techno Metal Post  ( www.technometalpost.com ) I
believe it is a franchise arrangement with the main company in Canada. Here
is a business opportunity if a franchise does not exist in your community.

They are screwed into the ground while hydraulic pressure is applied. We
received a stamped engineering report after completion that identified how
many posts were set,  to what depth and how much hydraulic pressure had been
applied for load bearing capacity

It requires a special unit designed for this purpose

We set 8 posts in 2 rows of 4 and then attached a UniRac U-LA Ground Mount
racking system for 28 Sanyo 200's

The posts in this case were 2" schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe ready for
the UniRac mounting system

They also shot the elevation and cut each pipe to the proper height so that
the relationship between the front row of pipes and the back row of pipes
was set to receive the racking system and then the mounting rails would be
at latitude for this site.  We supplied the heights that were required.

Many other uses for these screw piers.  Pictures on their website

Larry

On Jan 26, 2009, at 1:48 AM, ASAP POWER! 2 wrote:

Sounds like we gots to have it.  Larry, any pics?   If I assume correctly,
these are literally screwing into the ground in place of a concrete footing.
such that you can place/attach a structural or pipe column or its part of
the screw.   I can call some local rental yards and do some internet
searching, but is there a brand name to the screw, driver, or a specialized
4WD unit?  How many did you drive for 5.6kW?

I had contacted the outfit that advertised on TV/web for a while a couple of
years ago, but wasn't impressed, however, thought maybe with the right soil
it could be exceptional tool for quick guy wire anchoring purposes for wind
towers.   This sounds like something more substantial.

Thanks,

Peter D.

  _____  

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Larry Brown
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 5:58 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] helical screw piers

Eric, 

We just used helical screw piers on a 5.6kw ground mount

The site was difficult due to its slope and soft because the frost had come
back out after some warm days

There was an excellent chance that a concrete truck would have gotten stuck
and a back hoe would have made a mess

The 4 wheel drive unit that drives the helical screw piers had no trouble
navigating the terrain, did no damage to the site, was in and out in less
than a day. 

The piers were in two parallel rows and all were within 1/2" of our string,
though that is in the skill of the operator

In very rocky soil it might be more problematic

Larry Brown

Sun Mountain

On Jan 25, 2009, at 8:05 PM, Eric Andrews wrote:

Does anyone have any experience using Helical screw pier footing for ground
mount racks?

Eric 

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