Farmers Friend Haven HIGH TUNNEL User guide

The HavenThe Haven
a s s e m b l y a n d i n s t r u c t i o n m a n u a l
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  

Rev. 

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Dear Valued Customers,
I want to say a personal “Thank You” for doing business with
Farmers Friend! We are thrilled that you have decided to try
out our Haven high tunnel kit. Our team has worked countless
hours to develop the best kit on the market and we are excit-
ed to share it with you!
I grew up on a small farm, so I know firsthand how hard you
work at what you do; market gardening is not for the faint of
heart. I also know the importance of having the right tools for
the job. Our goal at Farmers Friend is to help you succeed by
providing high-quality tools to improve your eciency, profit-
ability, and quality of life.
From the team here at Farmers Friend, I wish you a happy and
extended growing season. We hope that your Haven tunnel
will be a space where both plants and profits flourish!
Jonathan Dysinger
Owner & Chief Innovator
P.S. Don’t hesitate to contact us with ideas on how we can improve our
products or services. Your feedback, success stories, and even your
struggles help us refine and improve.

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Corner Posts ................................4
Baseboards and Posts ....................7
Curtain Lock ...............................12
Bows ........................................13
Crossbars...................................14
Front Wind Bracing .......................16
Purlin........................................17
Back Wind Bracing........................19
OverviewOverview
Before you begin assembling your new Haven High Tunnel, take a moment to
acquaint yourself with the installed location of the major parts. The instructions
on the following pages will be specific about which sides and ends to install
first, but you are free to use a dierent order if that is more helpful.
Double ChannelDouble Channel p. 21
Anti-Billow RopesAnti-Billow Ropes p. 35
Curtain LockCurtain Lock p. 12
Rollup BarRollup Bar p. 28
Back Wind BracingBack Wind Bracing p. 19

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Quarter Panels ...........................20
Double Channel ...........................21
Single Channel ...........................26
Rollup Bar .................................28
Hand Crank and Guide Bar.............33
Anti-Billow Ropes........................35
Single ChannelSingle Channel p. 5
PurlinPurlin p. 17
BowsBows p. 13
CrossbarsCrossbars p. 14
Front Wind BracingFront Wind Bracing p. 16
Quarter PanelsQuarter Panels p. 20
Corner PostsCorner Posts p. 4
Hand Crank & Guide BarHand Crank & Guide Bar p. 33
Baseboard and PostsBaseboard and Posts p. 7

backback
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. Begin by determining your desired site and orientation of your High Tunnel.
. Starting at the front-left corner 1, drive a ground post in with the swage facing upwardswage facing upward until
there is 15 inches15 inches left out of the ground. Post can be driven in with a sledge and driver or
jack hammer attachment.
. Measure down the length of your tunnel and drive another post in 2, just inside your
tunnel-length measurement. Be sure to measure from outside to outside of ground postsBe sure to measure from outside to outside of ground posts
while keeping tape measure tight.while keeping tape measure tight.
STEP 1STEP 1
Left-side Corner PostsLeft-side Corner Posts
Tunnel
Lengths
24'
36'
48'
60'
72'
84'
96'
108'
120'
 
fmfr.io/haven/1
1
2
Drive posts
down to "
above ground.


Refer toRefer to Table 1Table 1 andand
your packing slip.your packing slip.
FrontFront
leFtleFt
rightright

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. To determine the location of the front-right corner post 1, measure over 16' from outside of
the front-left corner post and place a mark here.
. Measure your tunnel’s diagonal length (  2) from the outside of the back-left corner
post 2to the outside of the mark for the front-right corner post 1.
. Drive the front-right post at mark 1. Now your tunnel is square.
. Measuring outside-to-outside, install the back-right corner post 316' directly across from the
back-left corner post 2and your tunnel-length back from the front-right corner post 1.
STEP 2STEP 2
Right-side Corner PostsRight-side Corner Posts
 
Tunnel
Length
Diagonal
Length
24' 28' 10"
36' 39' 5"
48' 50' 7"
60' 62' 1"
72' 73' 9"
84' 85' 6"
96' 97' 4"
108' 109' 2"
120' 121' 1"
fmfr.io/haven/2
16'16'
16'16'
1
23


SeeSee Table 2Table 2
FrontFront
leFtleFt
rightright
backback

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. Partially set a self-tapping screw in the swaged section of each post toward the
ends of the tunnel.
. Tie two strings to the screws. Take one string 1over the top of the post
and pull tight down to the screw at the other end. Take the other 2
and wrap around the post 3–4 times so the string ends up on
the outsideoutside of the tunnel about 6–7" o the ground, then
run it down tight to the other end.
* The top string will be your guide for how far to drive
the remaining posts into the ground.
** The bottom string will be your guide for keeping
the posts in a straight line and also a guide for the
top of your baseboard.
. Measure down from the bottom string to the
ground along the length of your tunnel and adjust
the string height until you have at least 5at least 5⁄⁄" of clear-" of clear-
anceance to ensure the base is above the ground at all points.
Some grading of the dirt might be necessary.
STEP 3STEP 3
Alignment StringsAlignment Strings
fmfr.io/haven/3
1
2
Corner Post
Self-tapping Screw
Top String
Bottom String

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. Attach a baseboard flush with the outside of the front-left corner postfront-left corner post and just under the
bottom string using two of the baseboard corner straps, four wood screws, and two self-tap-
ping screws. It can be helpful to have someone hold the other end of the baseboard.
* If you are planning to install a DIY or Dutch door end wall, now would be the time to install thenow would be the time to install the
necessary brace bandsnecessary brace bands 1for your end wall bracketsfor your end wall brackets between the two baseboard end straps.between the two baseboard end straps.
STEP 4STEP 4
Front, Left Corner BaseboardFront, Left Corner Baseboard fmfr.io/haven/4
Corner Post
Baseboard corner strap
Wood screw
Self-tapping screw
1

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. Measure and mark the top of the boardthe top of the board at 48" from the corner-end of baseboard.
. Align the center of the second ground post with the 48" markcenter of the second ground post with the 48" mark and just adjacent to the lower
string, but without touching itbut without touching it. A post in contact with the lower string will skew the alignment
of subsequent posts.
. Drive this post into the ground until the top is just under the top string.
. While holding the baseboard up just under the bottom string, attach the post to base board
using two tube straps, four wood screws, and two self-tapping screws.
STEP 5STEP 5
Second Ground PostSecond Ground Post
fmfr.io/haven/5
Second Ground Post
Wood Screw
" Mark
Self-tapping Screw
Tube Strap
""

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. Now, join the next baseboard together with the first, end-to-end, using a baseboard splice
plate and six wood screws.
. Again, measure 48" from the center of the previous post and mark on baseboard.
. Drive the next post and attach the next ground post to baseboard using two tube straps, four
wood screws, and two self-tapping screws.
STEP 6STEP 6
Baseboard JointsBaseboard Joints fmfr.io/haven/6
""

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. Going forward, at every third postevery third post there will be a joint where two boards meet. No spliceNo splice
plate is needed, only two tube strapplate is needed, only two tube strapss.
* Installing the baseboards and posts at the same time ensures that they land right at the center of the
post. This allows you to join it to the next baseboard with the tube straps.
. Place the fourth post so that the end of the baseboard is centered on this post.
. Drive the post and fasten to baseboard using two tube straps, four wood screws, and two
self-tapping screws.
. Continue adding ground posts, baseboards, and baseboard splice plates in alignment with
the strings, ending with baseboard corner straps at the back-left ground post.
STEP 7STEP 7
Fourth PostFourth Post
fmfr.io/haven/7
Two boards
joining at post.

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. Drill a ⁄" hole 1" up from bottom of baseboard1" up from bottom of baseboard, just to the side of the first post.
. Install eye bolts according to the diagram.
. Ensure that the nut is flush with end of the bolt on the inside of the tunnel 1. Then
finger-tighten the outside nut up against the baseboard 2.
. While keeping the eye bolt vertical, use a ⁄" socket to tighten the inside nut.
. Repeat, attaching eye bolts next to every third postnext to every third post (every 12 feet) down the length of the
tunnel.
STEP 8STEP 8
Eye BoltsEye Bolts fmfr.io/haven/8
Drill a ⁄" hole ""
up from bottomup from bottom
of baseboardof baseboard.
1
2
Eye Bolt

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. Start by ensuring the curtain lock is flush with the end of the first baseboard 1.
. Attach the the curtain lock on top of the baseboard using the woods screws, starting afterafter
the second post. The holes that are skipped between the first two posts will be used in athe second post. The holes that are skipped between the first two posts will be used in a
later step.later step.
. Attach the remaining curtain lock pieces end-to-end with screws in every hole, continuing to
the end of the tunnel. Skip holes again between the final two posts.
. Repeat Steps 3–9 on the right sideright side of the tunnel.
STEP 9STEP 9
Curtain LockCurtain Lock
fmfr.io/haven/9
Skip the holes
between the first
two posts.
Side curtain lock
is flush with
baseboard.
Curtain Lock
Wood Screws
1

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. Find a level surfacelevel surface to assemble bows.
Classic Tunnel: Assemble all bows following the instructions below, then go to Step 12.
Gothic Tunnel: Assemble the two end bows without crossbars following the instructions
below, then set aside.
. Connect each bow section with one self-tapping screw in the side of each bow joint. Two
classic sections plus one gothic section to form one complete bow assembly. Be sure to faceBe sure to face
screw heads down and away from where the plastic will be resting on the bow.screw heads down and away from where the plastic will be resting on the bow.
STEP 10STEP 10
End Bow AssembliesEnd Bow Assemblies fmfr.io/haven/10
Side Bow Section
Self-tapping Screw
Gothic Center Bow Section

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. Slide brace band over one side of the gothic section. You may need to use two pairs of pliers
to slightly open brace bands to fit over the bow. Brace band may need to be squeezed back
together.
. Position this brace band 5 inches up from the the joint of the bow5 inches up from the the joint of the bow.
. Attach crossbar to brace band with bolt and nut, then tighten down with socket or wrench.
. Next, slide brace band on opposite side of gothic section to where
it meets the end of crossbar. Attach and tighten with bolt and
nut. Be sure this brace band also is set at 5 inches from theBe sure this brace band also is set at 5 inches from the
jointjoint. (Compressing or expanding the bow base will allow
you to slide the band up or down to the
desired position.)
. Now connect each bow section
together with one self-tapping
screw in the side of each bow joint.
. Repeat this on all remaining bows.
STEP 11STEP 11
Center Bow AssembliesCenter Bow Assemblies
fmfr.io/haven/11

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. Install completed bow assemblies onto ground posts starting with an end bow (without a
crossbar). Be sure to face self tapping screws in toward the inside of the tunnel.
* Start by installing bows at the end of tunnel that is the furthest away from where your bows wereStart by installing bows at the end of tunnel that is the furthest away from where your bows were
assembled.assembled. Doing this give you an unobstructed path to installing the next bow.
. Continue installing bow assemblies down the length of the tunnel with the last bow having
no crossbar.
. Lastly, install one self-tapping screw into the base of each bow section through the joint
facing inside.
STEP 12STEP 12
Bow InstallationBow Installation fmfr.io/haven/12

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. Using two pairs of pliers, pry brace band open enough to slide over
the base of the third bow from end 1, just above the curtain lock.
. Squeeze brace band back together with pliers.
. Attach wind brace to brace band using galvanized bolts and nuts
with a ⁄" socket or wrench. Make sure bolts face to the inside of the
tunnel to avoid puncturing the plastic.
. Starting on the front-right corner of the tunnel, attach wind brace from 1to brace band on
2at its natural connecting height.
. Repeat these steps for the second wind brace between 2and 3.
. Ensure these bows are visually plumb. A level can help with this. Then tighten nuts.
. Repeat process on the front-left of the tunnel. The wind bracing on the back end of theThe wind bracing on the back end of the
tunnel will be installed on a later step.tunnel will be installed on a later step.
STEP 13STEP 13
Front Wind BracingFront Wind Bracing
fmfr.io/haven/13
Front rightFront right
1
2
3

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. Assemble and secure purlin on the ground using self-tapping screws facing all the same
direction.
. Mark the purlin every 4 feetMark the purlin every 4 feet on the same side as the screws face. These marks will help
ensure the bows are spaced evenly at the peak when you attach the cross connectors in the
next step.
. Add a black finishing cap to each end with a hammer.
STEP 14STEP 14
Center Purlin AssemblyCenter Purlin Assembly fmfr.io/haven/14
''
''
''

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. Slide the assembled purlin on top of the crossbars, guiding it over each crossbar down the
length of the tunnel. Be sure that screw heads are facing down.Be sure that screw heads are facing down.
. Using a ⁄" socket or wrench, attach the purlin with a pair of cross-connectors using two
gold bolts and nuts at every third or fourth bow at each 4-foot mark, while a second
person holds the purlin up to the peak of the bows to take the extra weight o. Continue this
to the end of the tunnel. Now it will be easier to attach the remaining cross-connectors .
. Install one gothic tube strap with three self-tapping screws to attach the purlin tube flush
with the two end bows. Be sure to use safety glassesBe sure to use safety glasses.
STEP 15STEP 15
Center Purlin InstallationCenter Purlin Installation
fmfr.io/haven/15
Line up -ft
marks with
center of bow
before securing
cross connector.