culvert question

[ccsial]

I have a 12" culvert, HDPE Dual wall H25 rating. I need to get more gravel over it. Right now there is only about 1/2 inch of gravel over the top. I am wondering if my RAM diesel and 12' x 6' gravel trailer could go over it to spread more. I don't have a way to turn around and I am not going to back up that far. My next alternative is to shovel it into the end loader and take it one bucket at a time.

I'd appreciate any advice from you construction experts.

 

[Peter 315]

You could put some wood down to drive over it . 2x12 or something else

 

[Birdhunter1]

I have a 12" double wall with may be an inch to two inches over it. It's been there for 7 1/2 years and hasn't crushed yet with multiple tandem dump truck loads of gravel or dirt, pickup trucks and trailers up to, tractors and heavy equipment as well as combines over it and it hasn't crushed yet.

 

[mddorange]

I have a 15" with 2" over it and it accepts anything I run over it with. What really maters is that you pack it well on the sides before putting a top layer on.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I have a 12" culvert, HDPE Dual wall H25 rating. I need to get more gravel over it. Right now there is only about 1/2 inch of gravel over the top. I am wondering if my RAM diesel and 12' x 6' gravel trailer could go over it to spread more. I don't have a way to turn around and I am not going to back up that far. My next alternative is to shovel it into the end loader and take it one bucket at a time.

I'd appreciate any advice from you construction experts.

It depends on the soil surrounding the culvert. If it's soft, the pipe will crush fairly easily. If it is in frozen ground or hard packed material, you should be able to drive over it safely. If you aren't sure, plank it or build it up with some material first using your FEL.

 

[ccsial]

I think I'll bring in a few bucket loads and get a little gravel over it and then run the trailer over it.

 

[ovrszd]

You didn't say how long it's been there???

If it's a fresh install, I'd probably try to get more cover before crossing with a heavy load.

If it's been in the ground thru a couple weather seasons I wouldn't worry about it at all. I've got some on public roads that have eroded with no more than a couple inches of cover. They get crossed by 80K lb semis full of grain.

 

[ccsial]

I just installed it today. There is still a bit of frost in the ground too. I put the gravel I dug out around it. I'm going to pack it down best I can.

 

[ovrszd]

Gravel is not good packing material. This is very debatable, but I don't like gravel around a culvert. I'd rather have good clean dirt. It will fill the corrugations better and hold the culvert's shape better.

Being newly installed, I'd be reluctant to drive over it with a heavy load. 1/2" of loose gravel isn't going to protect the plastic culvert from pushing down the top.

Not sure what type gravel you are using?

 

[ccsial]

This trail is only used for my ATV's and tractors. I only need to drive the truck and dumping trailer to spread the gravel. 3/4". There will never be any heavy trucks on it.