Update JUL 08 2010
Finally some progress tonight.
Tonight after work I stopped in at Lowe's once again (4th time this week) and purchased six 5/16" female shield concrete anchors and a new 1/2" bit for my hammer drill.
Once home I began to install the concrete anchors with some success. They worked, but I am not 100% satisified or 100% confident that they will secure the dish during heavy winds. Perhaps it's just me I don't know.
After securing the base I trimmed extra branches from the tree above before attempting to place on the reflector which I will do tomorrow night with help from my wife or the neighbor next door.
I need some opinions on the following as seen in the pictures below:
1) When I hosed off the pad I noticed that some water collected near the middle on the left hand side where it possibly isn't as level as I had hoped. Should I be concerned and can anything be done now?
2) Because the area was on a hill the dirt on the left hand side seems to slide down. Should I dig back about a foot to get the ground more level near the concrete pad?
3) While screwing in one of the lag bolts the concrete came apart at the top. Not much came off and the anchor is still very secure. I will probably mix a little cement and patch this weekend. I might even paint the top with cement paint.
4) I placed the brackets off to the side, but now I'm thinking with the heavy load at the front perhaps I should have the brackets further back for greater support. I'm thinking I'll simply add additional concrete anchors this weekend for brackets near the back. Then either move the side brackets or try to purchase or make additional brackets.
