Anyone built an UTV bridge over a creek/gully? I've got a gully that had a culvert, but it got blocked with debris so the water went around and washed it out. I could resuse the culvert, concrete the ends or add rip rap but I thought the bridge would be a nice feature on the property. I'm not an engineer so wondering size and spacing of posts, beams etc. Would be ideal if I could drive a tractor/truck over it but it's not necessary, and I don't know if it's worth the time/expense of getting steel beams. Thoughts?
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Building an ATV bridge
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Last: 4 yr ago by mt3950
Don't need steel... How close are you to thr coast? Buy a piling, and use it for your beams.
I've seen people use old flatbed trailers for this. Pull it over the gully, anchor the ends and road base ramps.
BCS area. Only 6' gully so not too deep.
What is the span length required? ....depth of gulley not a critical factor...RMC91 said:
BCS area. Only 6' gully so not too deep.
Grow a pair and just build a ramp.
Drshovelhead said:
Grow a pair and just build a ramp.
Probably 24 feet span which would give me good distance from the edge of gully on each side where it is sloped. Was thinking 6x6s spread 8 feet apart with 2x12 beams doubled up (middle and sides so 3 sets). 2x12 cross supports under each beam at the posts.
Railroad flat cars often get used for bridges in private/rural settings. There are wholesellers online that should be able to help you out. Eventually these bridges find their way to public use and become a hassle for us because they don't often meet legal load requirements and I'm forced to either put on heavy load restrictions or shut them down.
If they are on your private property and you've asked some informed questions from the seller you'll be fine for ATV or pickup/car use. If you intend to haul loads or larger vehicles over it I'd recommend getting an engineer to look it over for you.
If they are on your private property and you've asked some informed questions from the seller you'll be fine for ATV or pickup/car use. If you intend to haul loads or larger vehicles over it I'd recommend getting an engineer to look it over for you.
You can build one pretty cheap if you have access to steel. Here is one that a friend of mine made from steel pipe and wood. Carriage bolted 4x4's to the steel frame and decked from there. Took a Jeep over it and it worked fine. 24' may require a bit larger steel. I would think that a W6 or W8 frame would work. If the bridge could rest on top of the culvert, it may give you additional support under....or crush the culvert.
In regard to the last image
What happened to the dude walking on the bridge behind that?!?!?!
I'll be honest I probably wouldn't have been the first to drive a Jeep over it but that was a few years ago and it gets used all the time.
CashinOut said:
What happened to the dude walking on the bridge behind that?!?!?!
He gone
I used a cattle guard to cross a 5' top concrete irrigation ditch. For your private use 24' span, the rail car is appealing. The biggest challenge for the guys up here who have used them is installation. Steel shapes, H or I, could also be a solution. Could fabricate to your exact need.
Interested to hear what you decide.
Interested to hear what you decide.
Use the ramps from a trailer.
It's not a needed crossing so I'm thinking of building more for fun/aesthetics. I have access to same place (powerline easement) a few hundred yards down the way. It's just an existing trail that now dead ends into a gully. I've looked at the rail car option but it's more than want to spend. Worse case scenario I'll build a foot bridge for fun.
Used telephone poles would be the cheapest while being strong enough yet light enough to work with.
I highly recommend getting it engineered. Demand on your beams is a function of the square of the span.
Double the span, 4 time the bending in the beam.
The rail car looks like a cost effective approach, just need a good reinforced concrete anchor at each end.
Double the span, 4 time the bending in the beam.
The rail car looks like a cost effective approach, just need a good reinforced concrete anchor at each end.
Don't use round beams. They're not an effective shape for lateral loads.
RMC91 said:
It's not a needed crossing so I'm thinking of building more for fun/aesthetics. I have access to same place (powerline easement) a few hundred yards down the way. It's just an existing trail that now dead ends into a gully. I've looked at the rail car option but it's more than want to spend. Worse case scenario I'll build a foot bridge for fun.
Use the downstream access point for access and spend the money on preventing future topsoil erosion.
I built one one time using some "rough cut" lumber I found on Craigslist. Bridge is about 8' wide and 22' long. Used four 6x8's as beams. Planks are true 2x6 if I remember correctly. Built it about 7 years ago so can't remember all of the specs exactly. Easily supports a ranger loaded with hunters and gear. Too nervous to drive a tractor over it.
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