Demolishing a Century Barn with a CX210 Excavator and Lessons from the Field

[MikePhua]

Preparing for the First Full-Scale Demolition
On a newly acquired farm in Eastern Ontario, a team of operators took on their first major demolition project: tearing down a sprawling, aging barn and silo complex. The barn measured approximately 200 feet in length and varied between 35 and 70 feet in width, with multiple lean-tos and additions accumulated over decades. The goal was to clear the site for future development, including severing two residential structures for sale.
The team had recently purchased a 2003 Case CX210 hydraulic excavator equipped with a thumb and multiple buckets. This model, part of Case Construction’s CX Series, was designed for mid-size excavation and demolition tasks. With an operating weight of around 48,000 lbs and a digging depth exceeding 21 feet, the CX210 offered the reach and power needed for structural takedown. Case, founded in 1842, has long been a staple in North American construction, and the CX Series remains popular for its reliability and hydraulic finesse.
Transporting Equipment and Site Setup
Without a float trailer of their own, the team enlisted a local contractor to haul the CX210 to the jobsite, located 25 kilometers from the home farm. Support equipment included a 6200 tractor and tire racks for material handling. The first step was to locate a suitable area for a burn pit to dispose of the barn’s wood. Initial digging revealed buried debris—rocks, concrete, and steel—left from previous fence row removals. Eventually, a small shed was cleared to expose clean soil, allowing the fire pit to be excavated safely.
Mechanical Setbacks and Warranty Relief
Early in the project, the excavator began losing power during tracking operations and eventually stalled. A technician from J.R. Brisson in Vars diagnosed a failed injector pump. Fortunately, the pump had been replaced shortly before purchase and was still under warranty. The mechanic also installed a fuel-water separator pre-filter that had been missed during a prior service bulletin. With the machine restored, the team resumed work with renewed confidence.
Drainage Challenges and Quonset Shed Excavation
The property included a 40-by-100-foot Quonset hut built three feet below grade—a design flaw that led to seasonal flooding. To mitigate this, a trench was dug to connect the shed to a nearby ditch using tile pipe. A local backhoe operator scraped the mushy floor and excavated the trench, allowing the shed to drain properly. This step was crucial for stabilizing the work area and preventing equipment from sinking into saturated ground.
Executing the Barn Demolition
With the CX210 fully operational, the team began dismantling the barn. Using coordinated force between the excavator and a TV-140 tractor, they collapsed the structure with minimal effort. The barn’s integrity had deteriorated to the point where the metal roofing was the only element holding it together. Once the tin was removed, the rest fell easily.
The demolition sequence included:

• Pulling down walls and roof sections
  
• Sorting rubble for burning and burial
  
• Lighting controlled fires to dispose of wood
  
• Avoiding damage to adjacent buildings
  
• Using the excavator’s reach to manage debris without repositioning
  

The fire burned intensely, aided by dry conditions and strategic piling. However, rain the following day slowed combustion, and hay proved resistant to ignition. The team used heat proximity to encourage burning, though some material required manual relocation.
Site Cleanup and Final Grading
After the fire subsided, the 6200 tractor scraped remaining cement and sawdust, piling it for burial. The landscape was transformed from a cluttered barnyard to an open field, ready for seeding and future use. The team noted the dramatic visual change and the satisfaction of completing a complex job with limited prior experience.
Lessons Learned and Operator Growth
This project served as a crash course in full-size excavator operation. The operator, previously familiar only with mini-excavators, quickly adapted to the CX210’s controls and capabilities. Key takeaways included:

• Bucket control and digging technique refinement
  
• Understanding hydraulic response under load
  
• Coordinating multi-machine operations
  
• Managing fire safety and debris logistics
  
• Navigating mechanical failures and warranty processes
  

The experience highlighted the importance of preparation, adaptability, and mechanical awareness. It also underscored the value of documenting work through photos and stories—a practice that not only preserves lessons but builds community among operators.
Conclusion
The barn demolition marked a milestone for a young operator and his team, blending mechanical learning with practical execution. With the CX210 as the centerpiece, they overcame buried debris, equipment failure, and drainage challenges to complete a multi-phase project. The result was not just a cleared site, but a deeper understanding of excavation, demolition, and the rhythm of fieldwork. For those entering the world of heavy equipment, this kind of hands-on experience is irreplaceable—and every job becomes a chapter in the operator’s manual of life.