Cleaning out an old dairy

I live in the Chino Valley in Southern California, this once was the most highly concentrated "Milk Shed" in the nation. The dairy industry peaked here in the early 90's. With 400,000 cows on 350 dairies all on 17,000 acres (wall to wall dairy land). When I bought into the landscape and construction business (also in the early 90's), I inherited some of the owners of the larger dairy operations (in this state and nation). These guys lived no where near their dairies (about 15 miles away), their homes were "mini mansions" in the foothills. They were no longer just dairymen, but bankers and land developers. My company "specialized" in the needs of large residential estates (large homes with even bigger lawns and lots of flowers). My growth plan for our company was to diversify into commercial property maintenance and management (that's 100% of business now).

Those dairymen became one of my companies best assets! In 1997 we converted one of our first dairies to a shopping center. It was the demolition of dairies that really got my attention, that there is a lot of money to be made in scrap metal. Those dairies were more like milk factories, with lots of metal. All the good stuff too, stainless, copper, brass, aluminum and tons of steel. We sub-contracted the demo out back then, what I know now, that is one of my missed opportunities, but a lesson learned. Those dairies were all built in the early 60's, upgraded with total automation and "show case" facilities. I'm sure you will do well with your dairy demolition and I hope it works out with huge dividends for you.

The dairies here are almost gone, down to about 20 dairies with less than 15,000 cows. That 17,000 acres will eventually be built out, into more Southern California urbanization. The master plan calls for more than 50,000 new homes, millions of square feet of both retail and industrial property. With less than 500 acres of open space designated, this area will now be wall to wall pavement.

Originally Posted by etack

Those radiators will have more than scrap value. The ornate radiators are in more of a demand. if they aren't clogged they will be reused.

Eric

Yes Eric everything with value will be sold. Only the absolute junk gets scrapped. Even the "plain" radiators are worth way more than scrap if useable.
The building was rented out over the years to a Home Improvement Co. and a computer recycler and I hauled out several large loads of windows and old vintage computers which will all be going up for sale when sorted. I got roughly a hundred old Apple computers with the deal.

Pwheelie
It sure sounds like a lot of back breaking work to carry that stuff up stairs. If you can get some ¾” plywood for free or cheap you could build a ramp on the stairs and use a winch or come-a-long to bring it up.

Originally Posted by Abuilder

Pwheelie
It sure sounds like a lot of back breaking work to carry that stuff up stairs. If you can get some ¾” plywood for free or cheap you could build a ramp on the stairs and use a winch or come-a-long to bring it up.

Yes Abuilder, it's been a real workout so far. I don't think the stairs are even wide enough or strong enough to handle the "large" items. I am used to letting my machines (forklifts / Bobcat) do all the heavy lifting. I could possibly winch this stuff up through the elevator shaft. But I am going to take a serious look at getting the elevator working again. I can power the elevator with a Rotary Phase Converter to get the three phase power I need. Then I can get the stuff down from the 2nd floor as well. Upstairs there are 5 cast iron radiators, an industrial radial arm saw, a large double door safe and a vault door in a frame! I would prefer NOT to leave anything behind.

Papawheelie - Your thought about the elevator is right on target. In the old power plant we used the old cables and a single phase chain hoist to move oxygen and propane cylinders up 10 floors. We also made our own cart because the original elevator was to heavy. Good luck. It sounds like a fun project.

Originally Posted by Patriot76

Papawheelie - Your thought about the elevator is right on target. In the old power plant we used the old cables and a single phase chain hoist to move oxygen and propane cylinders up 10 floors. We also made our own cart because the original elevator was to heavy. Good luck. It sounds like a fun project.

Hello Patriot, I followed your project, it looked amazing! I have a Rotary Phase Converter which is large enough to power the 3 phase elevator. The elevator motor and winch system are up on the roof in their own little dry shed and seem to be in very good condition. I have an Industrial Electrician buddy coming to check it out to see if it would be safe to put power to it. I enjoy a good challenge and this project is most certainly delivering.

I like looking at casings of old ordinance but that stuff gives me the hibbie-jibbies. I would maybe call someone who can take it (gently) somewhere and blow it up...

The cooling system pipes steel or copper??

The cooling system pipes steel or copper??

I think you'll find it's iron pipe.

Cooling coils removed from 1st floor ceiling this week. 4 sets, each 1000# x 10 feet long. Separated each section into 4 layers to get them down to a more manageable 250#. Built out of 1-1/4" sch. 80 pipe.