Overall picture from the north end. The 'ladders' are 8' long by 30" wide and made from 1x2 western cedar (light). There are three 'steps' - 12" from each end and one in the middle. They are attached to the cross wires (#14 gal) with zip ties and attached to each other with wood screws. They are not attached to the end panels. The end panels are made from pt 2x4 with gal pipe across the 30' width for support. The purpose of the structure is to provide a 20' opening for the end panel, access door, and support the 30"x30" solar vent. The center 2x4 support is removable for tractor access. Another gal pipe is inside the 'pocket' of the end panel and aids in rolling up the center access panel.
In the center of the picture is a vertical wire support to the purlin for horizontal wire/ladder support. The horizontal support in the picture runs from the bottom right to the upper left. The horizontal wires are supported by the top purlins on both sides (about 8' in from the sides). The black hoses and sprinkler heads are used to cool the tunnel during excessive heat. It is a loop around the grid with 20 misting/sprinkling heads.
This picture shows the wire attachment at the bow. Each bow is 6' apart. A pre-drilled hole was available so I put a carriage bolt in it and attached a turnbuckle and wire to it. The turnbuckle allows final tension adjustments as the wire stretches.
Here, the grand kids and grandma are planting late tomatoes. The prior tomato plants were removed and the strings were saved for the new tomatoes. Notice that the 'ladders' are centered over the rows.
Finally, here is the finished result with BHN961's trellised to the 'ladders'. Eventually they reached the 9 foot mark (top) and then I let them fall over the center of the rows.
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