Driving over a septic tank

[crazyjake8493]

When I bought my property I did not know where my septic tank was. I used my tractor and a couple times a concrete delivery truck run over it( i found it later) no damage was done. I still run over it with my tractor when I bring cages loaded with firewood. It is a 50-60 year old concrete tank

Similar situation here. When I bought the house I was told where the septic tank was. Cut down a big tree and a buddy came over with his pickup to cut it up and haul it out for firewood. A few years later I had the tank pumped and it turns out the tank was 10ft off from where I was told. His firewood-loaded pickup truck was parked right on one corner of the tank.

No damage to the tank. It's also a 50+ year old concrete tank. The top of the tank is also about 42" below grade.

I drive over it every week with our riding mower, but I avoid it with the tractor and anything else just to be safe.

 

[crazyjake8493]

I have an LS 4140 with cab and loaded tires. Estimated weight is 5500 lbs.

Would it be safe to drive over a septic tank buried 10” below grade?

That's really shallow for the top of the tank. I'd be nervous about anything on it at that level, especially a big tractor. Our tank is roughly 42" below grade and I've never seen any here less than 30" below.

 

[paulsharvey]

Tank itself will likely be fine, but there really isn't a good reason to try it. You just never know if the lid was cracked when placed, and just mudded up, maybe it's very old, maybe it's a new poly tank, with a poly riser and poly lid. Heck, I've seen ones so old they had no bottom, 3 coarses of CMU, and planks over the top.

10-12" of soil does distribute the weight a pretty good bit; but its still not smart. Guys talking about 30+ inches of coverage; you would be fine.

Drain field; 4" poly perf pipe in a sock of Styrofoam peanuts, at 6" deep; that's where I would be most concerned.

So, given OPs situation; would I cross it once to get to the otherside, to do a specific one time task, yeah; would I mow over it every weekend, no.

If you really Must cross it, maybe consider additional protective measures; like poly pallets, mounting sand on top, or similar.