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Tom,

A lot depends on the soil your putting the poles in. Paul Fox hit the nail on the head. Dig down below frost to set your pad, set the pole on the pad and backfil with a material that water passes through. When the frost penetrates it doesn't have anything to grip.

I live in frigid northern Michigan where winter can and often gets pretty nasty. Up until a few years ago (until local counties acceptance of the national codes) most footers went down only 24"...They never moved around because most of this area is sand....Maybe it's a regional thing, but most of the local builders still swear by that old method...I personally subscribe to the 48" (below frostline method), but in the middle of sub zero January when your vehicle gets stuck, you can go to the side of the road and dig up some loose sand for your tires to bite on. Granted the snow pack insulates it to some degree, but we got snow late this year, where there wasn't sand the frost went deep, where it was you could be digging in short order.

Pole Barns and Post Holes
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 21 Post by RandyG

Thanks for the heads up on the year. I went to the dealer this morning to finalize the sale and challenged the salesman on the year. He went and got his book, and sure enough, it's a '96. Probably an honest mistake on the dealers part as they have a good reputation. Anyway I picked the unit for $10,500 which includes changing all the fluids and filters and a 6 month warranty. He started at $11,900 and I started at 9,500 so it was a compromise

Ford New Holland 1715
New Holland Tractors
Replies 4 Post by RandyG

I've built quite a few pole buildings. I discovered that if you dig a 4' hole and mix and pour 1 bag of ready mix and let set for a few days, the concrete becomes your footing below frost level. Set the pole onto the concrete footing and backfill with sand, compacting the sand every foot or so with the handle of your shovel. The sand around the pole allows water to run through it, thus not submerging the pole and not giving anything for the frost to grab and heave. This method allows you to move the poles N - S and E - W for a fudge factor. When your ready to set the purlins and girts for your metal siding you can plumb as you go.

Your less likely to get a deep frost in snow country as the snow insulates the ground.

Old School who s with me
Barns Pole Barns
Replies 10 Post by RandyG