Thursday, February 28, 2008

This is the email that I recieved from Steve Lee, president of the BOD of the Tenneessee Tree Toppers. If you have ever wondered about the history & the construction of the famous radial ramp, there is a new article posted on the TTT site. Well worth the read.
This gives you an update on the happenings to date:

Steve writes:
I enjoyed reading the historical radial ramp history written by Denny Haldeman. Information was sent to my old address(tttxc1) that I had to change after that darn Dave Hopkins blew me away last year with his 135 miler. Rest assured and enjoy this project as it sails along on the smoothest lift. Read these updated facts and respond as neccessary.--S and H steel erectors will arrive any day to pour the neccessary footers needed under the existing ramp. They will utilize the rock for some of the leg supports and pour footers where needed.--Birmingham could not bend 3x3 angle so S and H will use 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 angle rolled to our same existing radius. This should be completed in about one more week. They will begin actual steel erection on a projected March 10th. We are in good hands and the steel frame is all systems go.--The projected decking party is March 14th-16th. Pressure treated 2x4's furnished by Ace hardware in Dunlap will be on the job site at our command. The Ohio flyers with Tom Primavera's lead donated the stainless steel carriage bolts and flanged lock nuts along with a Big financial donation. These guys know what the brotherhood is all about. We already have the hardware, drill bits and electric hole punch. There will be (2) carriage bolts on every truss for structural integrity of the deck and to prevent board warpage. We're gonna need some impact wrenches to zap these nuts or alot of ratchet action ahead, about 2400 nuts is all.--These are the facts as they stand today and only include the radial section of the ramp, not the flat deck. Once the radial re-vamp is completely finished, frame and decking, paid in full, the BOD will discuss improvements to the flat deck which already has a steel truss frame. Thanks to Tom Cheray for the re-vamp of the flat deck frame. Tom recommended replacing the rotten wood frame with steel and donated the straight steel trusses. Tom died of lung cancer shortly after this project was completed but he will never be forgotten as our wonderful friend. Thanks Tom Cheray! Get ready ya'll, March 14-16 and any time after to get that radial re-decked. See ya'll soon!

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