HFGH instructions

10 years ago

Well we took the plunge and bought a 10X12 HFGH. I've been going over Mudhouses Blog or whatever you want to call it. I've got a lot better idea of what we have a head of us to do. The thing is I've got about a month before we actually get started and it Mudhouse mentioned that with the newer models some things might of changed. The box is stored in a shed which I do not have enough room to take everything out yet and go through it all. but I have opened it up a bit hoping I would see the instructions. Well without opening all the boxes inside the big box could anyone tell me where the instructions might be so I might be able to find them easier without making too much of mess????

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Comments (3)

mudhouse_gw
10 years ago
Hello oldlady59. I'm sorry, I don't know where the manual is packed in the kit, but maybe somebody else can remember. (I'd just dive in there, myself, and then put stuff back.)

Or, you can go to the Harbor Freight website and download the manual, and print it out, if you'd like:
Harbor Freight greenhouses

Only glitch with doing this is there are currently two slightly different versions of the 10x12 being sold through Harbor Freight. You'll see both listed on the web page above. They are still selling an older one like mine (Model 93358), and a newer one (Model 69893.) As a result, there are two slightly different manuals. There aren't major changes in the kit, but some parts have been redesigned.

I don't know if there are any model numbers on the outside of your box; if so, just click on the appropriate greenhouse model on the Harbor Freight site, and then click on User Manual to find the link for the download.
trigolfer
10 years ago
I just put up a new one back in January.. I do not remember which of the two models. One model has 4 small triangle panel pieces at the end of the gable and one model combines it with the one beside it so that it ends up being a larger panel. Mine was missing all four of the small triangle panels.. I believe they are like 18" x 12" roughly. I did not realize it until the end and I just have plastic taped over them for now. I called Harbor Freight and they said they did not make these panels anymore for that model (I guess now they just make the larger panel). I guess I would say even though it means taking everything out of the box, it is worth it to make sure all the panels are there. The only other tips I would offer..
1. Order the extra panel clips
2. Plan out your bracing and shelving so that you insert all the T-Bolts (I grinded down carriage bolts) so that you get them all inserted and inserted in the correct order. It is a pain to have to go back and undo the roof to try and get them all in.
3. I used the U Shaped Channel for the end braces instead of the angle pieces.. it seems to give it more support.
4. I also used the 3 electrical conduits across the top... I think I am going to go back and add two more, not because I need the extra support, but because they are nice to have for hanging baskets and for trellis.
5. Go ahead and plan on getting a fan and thermostat. I do not know what to tell you about the vent openers. I am not using them currently but I do need to add some very soon to work in conjunction with the fan. The vent windows are really the only thing I was disappointed in on the greenhouse.

I am loving the greenhouse by the way.. I know you will too.
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I lost 2 panels before I posted a fix earlier this site. I ended up buying a lexan panel at Lowes, that are thinner and way more costly than the original. Since it was only a temp fix and had to be done, I paid the price. After drilling 1/8" holes 1 foot from the bottom and top (on the vertical supports), I threaded a 12.5 gauge galvanized wire (TSC) thru the holes in a horizontal fashion. Curled the ends over at each corner. Repeated the procedure for the front, back and top sides. Used a single self tapping screw in the vent window. Winds since then have not bothered the HFGH. I checked the prices for replacement panels, and if you order nearly any quanity, the base price is high and then you have to add in extra shipping and possibly a crate charge, which makes the whole deal too much for each panel. Figuring everything all together, it is just cheaper to first secure the panels with the method I mentioned above. If you have lost a panel(s), then order another kit when they are on sale. My first HFGH was $299 + $20 Ship. The second one was $329 + $62 to ship. That is still cheaper than ordering any panels from anyone. Plus I have extra parts forever, to - add-on, repair, replace, etc. As far as a base for my unit. I used 2 ea 4x4's PT stacked. Used the PT wood to allow the base to be leveled, with 1 to 1.5 PT showing above ground. At the corners and mid-long side, I sank a 4x4 PT down 2 feet in the ground, anchored with 1 bag of concrete in each of the 6 holes. All the base is bolted together with carrage bolts. On top of the base plate, I screwed in a 2"x7'x1/4" Poly Trim that is used around garage overhead doors. Use a sealer between the poly trim and the PT wood to stop leaks. It won't rot. Then I used stainless steel screws (2"#10) every 6 inches to fix the alum base to the poly trim and PT 4x4's. Everything else is per HFGH Instructions. Then I topped it off with the reinforcement I mentioned above. In the center of this frame, I tamped Stone paver sand and rock base, topped with 24"x24"x2" colored concrete blocks. There is a 60W Solar Panel 15 feet away that runs the fan in the greenhouse to help keep it cooler. It helps.
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Vicki, tell your hubby not to be such a nitpicker. The guy who levels the area can go a little bit over sized, and then it can be taken care of when you back fill to the size of the foundation. As far as the need for a true foundation, it looks like to me that this GH does not really require it. My recommendation is, unless you want to put it onto a poured concrete or laid concrete block foundation (which might require you to have a building permit) just dig holes at the corners, and about every two to three feet along the sides (on the inside) and set treated wood posts at least three feet deep. Then attach your treated two by eight base frame to it. I don't have one of these GH's yet, but hopefully someone who does will send you the dimensions from thiers. If not, open the box and find the instruction sheet. (If worse comes to worse, you may have to measure your base plates. I've bought Harbor Freight stuff in the past, and know first hand how "good" thier instructions are.) Kevin
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Hi Chuck, I love my HFGH 10x12, but I think splitting it in two to make a 5x20 lean-to would require a huge amount of rethinking and re-engineering. The roof pitch in the kit is predetermined by angle brackets at the corners, and by a formed angle in the framing piece at the top of the side wall; I don't think you could use that major component if you changed the roof pitch. The framework really doesn't lend itself to cutting the structure in two as far as critical bracing. Not saying it couldn't be done (anything is possible for hard workers!) but personally my husband and I think you'd be better off to consider building your own structure (which would allow you to go wider than 5' if you wanted.) It's nice you will have a solid structure to anchor to. I now know the twinwall polycarbonate panels that come with the HFGH kits will not last more than a few years in my own sunny climate, due to (in my opinion) a lack of UV protection, even though HF continues to advertise otherwise. The panels represent a huge part of the value of the kit, since true UV protected twinwall polycarbonate is expensive, so I now advise folks to take this into consideration, depending on climate, when they consider the kit. Some of the close-up photos in my blog may help you see what I mean about the pre-formed angles in the aluminum framing at the GH corners: Mudhouse blog for 10x12 HFGH Also, here's a link to a helpful site with many links to info about building your own greenhouse: Free plans for building greenhouses and solar spaces I also agree, I'd encourage you to start a new thread to get more opinions from other folks...lots of folks here more knowledgeable than me, and some of these older threads with many slow-to-load pics get skipped by folks who might be very helpful to you. Sheri
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mudhouse_gw
10 years ago
Trigolfer, thank you for the heads up about Harbor Freight discontinuing the small triangular gable polycarbonate panels for the back wall. My greenhouse is that style also, and I need to replace all those panels...and I had wondered. I'll just have to order the new style back panels and plan on cutting them to fit my older frame.

I hope you can find a solution for your missing panel pieces. If they are sending you other panels, you'll find the polycarbonate is super easy to cut with a mat knife and straightedge.

I agree that the electrical conduits are handy; I have not hung plants from mine, but ran the power cords to my thermostats along them, so I could hang my thermostat box roughly in the center of the greenhouse.

We are also on the same wavelength regarding the vent windows too...my least favorite part of the HF kit.

HFGH instructions

Comments (3)

mudhouse_gw

trigolfer

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