cattle guard

Bandit2026 · May 8, 2015

I want to build a cattle guard from wood. I think it would be easier than installing a commercial made from concrete and a lot cheaper. I'm thinking rough cut 2x8s spaced 4" apart. It will lay on solid ground. Anyone ever see any plans for such a thing? Are have anyone ever tried this?

Thinks

mikim · May 8, 2015

how long do you need it to last? cheaper once - maybe - but if you have to replace it 3 times vs. pipe....is it still cheaper?

bcp · May 8, 2015

You can sometimes find one used, even if you aren't in cattle country.

Bruce

bcp · May 8, 2015

Electric cattle guard

Electric cattle guard saves time

Bruce

polkwrangler · May 8, 2015

ive seen them made from using railroad rails here in florida lasts forever

roadhunter · May 8, 2015

Not sure 2x8's laying on solid ground is what I consider to be a cattle guard.

luvmexfood · May 8, 2015

Been there done that. Fought trying to keep cattle out of yard with homemade guards for years. Never did have any luck. Used sawn locust 4x4 spiked to crossties across a hand dug drain about 3 ft deep. Put in concrete and no problems with cattle since. Horses will jump across them though.

Wish I had done concrete to start with. Worked many hours on the wood ones and never did have any results.

Ed of all trades · May 8, 2015

We used railroad ties on the farm to make cattle guards. We would use two across the road and three running with the road and then lay the others across them spaced 4" apart. In 40 years we had one cow that would cross it, all the rest behaved.

DT86 · May 9, 2015

I think wood will be okay for a ATV or UTV only crossing.

More than that, probably won't last long.

Xfaxman · May 9, 2015

Bandit2026 said:
I want to build a cattle guard from wood. I think it would be easier than installing a commercial made from concrete and a lot cheaper. I'm thinking rough cut 2x8s spaced 4" apart. It will lay on solid ground. Anyone ever see any plans for such a thing? Are have anyone ever tried this?

Thanks

Where will it be used, main driveway?

WE went with 16' concrete, it was under $1000 and DOT rated for fire trucks. SI Precast Concrete - Agricultural Products