Need Avdice FAST! Big Soda Machine and Driveway Pavers

Scooter · 05-16-2007, 06:39 AM

I am getting for free, a BIG ASS Coke Machine that weighs aropund 900 lbs. empty. Obviously, this can not go on my deck so it is going in the yard. Here is a pic of the machine:

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/wan/329423478.html

It is being delivered this saturday so making a cement foundation is out of the question. I was thinking driveway pavers because they can handle a LOT of weight, no? Cars certainly weigh more than this behemoth.

Any opinions?

Francois Caron · 05-16-2007, 07:16 AM

How do they set these things up in park and recreation areas where there is no cement foundation? Have you asked a soda machine company how they handle this situation? They might also move it for you at a reasonable cost.

Scooter · 05-16-2007, 07:23 AM

The moving has been handled...already scheduled. The big thing is a secure spot for it to sit on. Pavers seem the most expedient thing right now.

Jay H · 05-16-2007, 08:14 AM

Pavers would work, but there is a bit of legwork to get that all settled too, you have to get the sand and level and pack it down too, make sure it's even and packed out well or it could settle in an odd fashion. Even the old fashioned patio blocks would work I think, the key is a good underlayment with drainage.

Jay

LewB · 05-16-2007, 08:18 AM

Make a frame to rest it on out of pressure treated 2x4's ?

**HTF Ads**

Steve Ridges · 05-16-2007, 09:49 AM

I don't see the problem. It may weigh 900 lbs but the area that it occupies looks very large. I don't think you'd have any problem with it sinking or settleing.

Jay H · 05-16-2007, 10:02 AM

re: sinking/settling Not initially, but I'm thinking along the lines of over the years and if it happens to be under say a gutter that perhaps leaks or so.

My father's patio using standard patio blocks started to sink after many...say 20 years, of usage from the sand washing away underneath. Nothing close to 900lbs of anything on top of it but eventually the sand washes out from rain and the patio blocks would sink and become uneven. We eventually fixed the sand and relevelled it and also fixed the drainage issue with the gutter that was there...

Jay

Mort Corey · 05-16-2007, 01:24 PM

I've seen prefab concrete squares (about 3+feet square) for use under air conditioning units that I'd think would work. If you use quick crete you could make your own slab to size and it'd be cured enough in a couple of hours to do what you're looking at......least I think it would but I've never had a Coke machine. Is this thing going to sit outside?

Mort

Scooter · 05-17-2007, 06:06 AM

Yes...it's made to be weatherproof.

I looked into the bases for central air units...was told the weight of the machine might be too much for those.

Jay H · 05-17-2007, 06:22 AM

Scooter, along the lines of the air conditioning pads, I was thinking a hearth pad, one of those premade things people use for wood stoves, except wood stoves are generally around 500lbs and not 900 and since it's an indoor item, don't know how weatherproof they are.

Jay