Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much weight will your barge hold?
2. What is draft?
3. How much does the barge draft empty?
4. How much do your barges weigh?
5. What is a Spud & Spud Pocket?
6. Do you have internal Spud Wells?
7. How do you raise and lower the spuds?
8. What is the difference between the Poseidon I and Poseidon II barge?
9. How do you transport your barges?
10. Where are you located?
11. Am I responsible for freight?
12. Am I responsible for damages to the barge while in my use?
13. How thick is the steel in your barge?
14. Do you provide insurance?
15. How do you move the barges once they are in the water?
16. Do you have loading ramps?
17. May I push the barges up on to the river bank
       and then load my equipment?
18. May I use the barges when resting on the bottom
       of the river, lake or swamp?
19. Do you have Jack-up Barges?
20. Do your barges have a hatch?
21. Do your barges have multiple ballast compartments?
22. Do you offer financing?
23. May I purchase the barges at the end of the rental?
24. Do you offer assistance during set up of the barges?

1. How much weight will your barge hold? Each Poseidon I or Poseidon II 40’ x 10’ x 5’ barge will float 35,000 lbs dead weight at 2’6” draft. A 20’ x 10’ x 5’ barge will float 17,500 lbs dead weight at 2’6” draft. (For example, 6 – 40’ x 10’ x 5’ barges will float 210,000 lbs or 105 tons at 2’6” draft.) Top Δ

2. What is draft? Draft is the amount of barge which is below the water surface. Top Δ

3. How much does the barge draft empty? The Poseidon I and Poseidon II barges each draft about 1’ or 12 inches empty. Top Δ

4. How much do your barges weigh?

Poseidon I Barges
40’ x 10’ x 5’ sections 24,000 lbs each
20’ x 10’ x 5’ sections 13,100 lbs each
10’ x 10’ x 5’ rake sections 6,500 lbs each
Spud Pocket 1,250 lbs each
40’ Spuds 4,300 lbs each
30’ Spuds 3,300 lbs each
20’ Spuds 2,300 lbs each
Hairpin Connector 55 lbs each

Poseidon II Barges
40’ x 10’ x 5’ sections 25,000 lbs each
Spud Pockets 2,550 lbs each
Top Δ

5. What is a Spud & Spud Pocket? The spud is an over sized “Nail” which anchors the barge in place by free falling the spud into the river or lake bottom. The spud is fabricated from 18” x 1/2” wall pipe, has a 20”sheave (a round thimble) at the bottom. The spud pocket mounts on the side of the barge at any two connection points. Top Δ

6. Do you have internal Spud Wells? The spud pockets are external mount and are attached at any two connection points. This gives you the flexibility to position the spuds on your barge so that they are not in your way while completing your work. Top Δ

7. How do you raise and lower the spuds? The spuds can be raised and lowered with the crane or excavator on the barge. There is a lifting eye at the top of the spud. Make sure you have a choker long enough so that when the spud is position on the bottom of the river, you do not need a latter to climb up to release the crane line. Also, we rent and sell winches for you to raise and lower the spuds. You would provide the 5/8” steel cable needed for this. Top Δ

8. What is the difference between the Poseidon I and Poseidon II barge? The Poseidon I Barge has a Rendrag® compatible connection system. The majority of my rental fleet is the Poseidon I style barge. It is the easier of the two connection systems to assemble and knock down. The Poseidon II Barge has a Flexifloat® compatible connection system. If you already own Flexifloat barges and wish to rent or purchase additional units, this would be an option for you. Top Δ

9. How do you transport your barges? Poseidon Sectional Barges are transported via tractor trailer trucks. We have local trucking companies who can haul two-Poseidon I 40’ x 10’ x 5’ trucks on a step deck trailer. There is a limited number of light weight trailer available so the more notice you give us the more likely we will be able to accommodate your needs. You may arrange for your own freight as well. Top Δ

10. Where are you located? Our corporate office is located in Fort Wayne, IN. We stock barges in Fort Wayne, IN and Blytheville, AR. We will be stocking barges in Northern Florida in the near future. Top Δ

11. Am I responsible for freight? We will assist you in arranging freight. It is the contractor’s responsibility to pay for both incoming and outgoing freight. Top Δ

12. Am I responsible for damages to the barge while in my use? The contractor is responsible for all repairs to the barges upon return from the project. We ask that you use crane matting to protect the surface of the barge when walking equipment onto the barges. This will keep the tops from rolling. This will also help to spread the load over a larger portion of the barge configuration. Any brackets welded to the barge must be removed and the remaining weldment ground off before returning the barges. Pictures and estimates for repairs will be forwarded to you as quickly as possible. Repair charges will be invoiced back to you. Top Δ

13. How thick is the steel in your barge? The exterior skin is fabricated from 1/4" Grade A-36 steel. Top Δ

14. Do you provide insurance? The contractor is responsible for insuring the barges while they are in your possession. We will need a Certificate of Insurance naming Mid-America Foundation Supply as an "Additional Insured" under your general liability policy, plus listing us as a "Loss Payee" under your equipment floater policy for dual protection against physical damage. The insurance value would be the original purchase price. Top Δ

15. How do you move the barges once they are in the water? The barge platform can be moved by a 80 or 100 hp outboard engine on a small fishing boat.  We also offer the Poseidon Hydraulic Barge Pusher that mounts to the deck of the barge.  This unit is full contained, key start, has forward & reverse with 180 degree turning radius.  The barges can also be pushed by a small tug boat.  Care must be taken so as to not damage the sides of the barges with the rubber bumpers.  A Double Drum Winch can also be used by running two cables from either side of the bottom of water and attaching the cables to the winch.Top Δ

16. Do you have loading ramps? The easiest and most cost effective way to load equipment on the barges is to use your crane mats. As long as the water is 2’6” deep at the waters edge, you will be able to load your equipment without risking any damage to the barges. Top Δ

17. May I push the barges up on to the river bank and then load my equipment? NO! This will cause damage to the barges! The barges must remain free floating while equipment is on the barges. Top Δ

18. May I use the barges while they are resting on the bottom of the river, lake or swamp? The Poseidon Barges are designed to be used only when floating in the water. “Beaching” the barges will create pivot points between the barge that is beached and the barge that is floating. Depending on the weight of the equipment, the connections will either crush in at the top or be pulled out at the bottom. Top Δ

19. Do you have Jack-up Barges? Our barges are designed to carry weight only when free floating in the water. Top Δ

20. Do your barges have a hatch? Our stock barges do not have hatches; however we can install hatches for you if you are planning to purchase the barges. Top Δ

21. Do your barges have multiple ballast compartments? Our barges are equipped with ballast tubes on the four corners of the barge. There are not individual compartments in each section. Ballast water can be added but must be removed prior to shipping the barges back. This can be done by using a small portable pump line down through the ballast tube or you can open up a ballast tube on opposite ends, attach an air compressor line and blow the water out the other end. Top Δ

22. Do you offer financing? We can apply some rental payments towards the purchase of the barges however for your long term projects, it is best to arrange for lease financing ahead of time. This way, like your house mortgage, some of the payment each month is applied to the purchase value of the barge. We work with Leasecorp, Inc in Noblesville, IN. Leasecorp provides a number of different finance options and also offers flexible payment terms. Top Δ

23. May I purchase the barges at the end of the rental? You may purchase the barges at the end of the rental however we can not apply all of your rental payments towards the purchase price of the barges. If you wish to purchase the barges, purchase terms are negotiated and agreed upon up front.

24. Do you offer assistance during set up of the barges? Our sales representatives will assist you in setting up the barges. Typical setup can be completed in less then a day. This can be scheduled while arranging for delivery of the barges.Top Δ