[RE-wrenches] Self-drilling posts for ground mounting

[Drake Chamberlin]

Jeff,

That looks like a really useful product.  As an ex-geologist, I would 
recommend caution in using this for an application where the soil may 
be subject to slippage.  On a steep slope, you will likely want to 
dig down to a solid layer that will not move.  Bedrock would be ideal.

Drake

At 09:30 PM 4/24/2009, you wrote:
>We have an upcoming install for a residence subject to Homeowners 
>Association controls and they have demanded that the array be 
>mounted on the ground, not the roof.  The client has a huge yard, 
>but the south facing yard area for the array slopes down fairly 
>steeply.  Of course this is ideal for tilt angle so we can keep the 
>array just high enough above the ground to crawl under to wire and 
>put down sheeting material to reduce grass growing.
>
>However, this will be a real bear to get a tractor or Bobcat on this 
>steep slope to auger holes for the concrete piers, and then get the 
>concrete down to the pour.   So I started checking and found a 
>company selling a self-drilling 2-1/2" galvanized pier that you 
>auger into the ground with a 3/4" drive wrench.  After auger drills 
>itself all the way down, you add an extension tube that is 
>adjustable in height.  It would be perfect for my application, but I 
>am afraid its too good to be true.
>
>Here is a video link for the product.
>
><http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syl-MKD-1BE>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syl-MKD-1BE
>
>My concern is will my racking start to move downhill if these posts 
>start to tilt over from the side loading, and will the pull out of 
>the ground from a major wind uplift.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jeff Yago
>
>
>
>
>----------
>Netscape.  Just the Net You Need.
>_______________________________________________
>List sponsored by Home Power magazine
>
>List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
>
>Options & settings:
>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
>List-Archive: 
>http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org
>
>List rules & etiquette:
>www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm
>
>Check out participant bios:
>www.members.re-wrenches.org

Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO License 3773
740-448-7328
740-856-9648  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20090425/b5d534bb/attachment-0004.html>