RalphVa
Super Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 7,885
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Tractor
- JD 2025R, previously Gravely 5650 & JD 4010 & JD 1025R
Found out from a friend who used to do this kind of thing. He says I need 4 8x8 railroad ties. He says that was what he used to support his 3500 # tractor over a stream. He bought 16 footers and told me where to get them. I'd cut them (or hire the lumber Co. to do it) to about 10' before loading in the pickup, as this is the length needed. Probably be around 200 # each, as an 8' tie is 170 #.
He no longer does that kind of thing because of his age. Been trying to find bridge builders. No bites so far.
So, think we'll have to do it ourselves, me and the mighty wife. Been thinking about how to handle the railroad ties. First chore will be to get them out of the pickup. A boom pole may help for that, but what how to attach a rope to a tie? Have Googled "grapple on a rope" and "hanging grapple" with no success in finding a smaller (200-300 # capacity) grapple. Could use a long rope looped up to the boom pole and all the way back, but then how to raise a tie to get the rope under it.
To get the tie across the little stream, can use the boom pole. Found out they have a 7' reach past the 3ph. That would be about right to get the approximately 10' tie across, holding it just past the half way point so the back end at the tractor will stay down, etc.
Then again, how to hold onto the tie: grapple or rope loop. Could use something like the tow hook that came with both Mazdas, e.g. screw into a tie and lift with it (could weaken the tie). However, comes the problem of how to get it out once the tie is in the middle of the stream. Where the stream is is maybe 5' deep with the water in it a few inches. A rope loop would work. Could lift a tie with the FEL and then prop it up and put rope loop under it. Maybe screw in a small bolt into the tie, to ensure the loop won't slip.
Any ideas? Also thought about putting some small bolts into the tie end near the stream and lift with the FEL and plop the tie onto the other side. This is how I did the 4x4s for the people bridge. Ties could slide sideways on the FEL, maybe not be held by the bolts digging into the soft, grassy ground.
Ralph
He no longer does that kind of thing because of his age. Been trying to find bridge builders. No bites so far.
So, think we'll have to do it ourselves, me and the mighty wife. Been thinking about how to handle the railroad ties. First chore will be to get them out of the pickup. A boom pole may help for that, but what how to attach a rope to a tie? Have Googled "grapple on a rope" and "hanging grapple" with no success in finding a smaller (200-300 # capacity) grapple. Could use a long rope looped up to the boom pole and all the way back, but then how to raise a tie to get the rope under it.
To get the tie across the little stream, can use the boom pole. Found out they have a 7' reach past the 3ph. That would be about right to get the approximately 10' tie across, holding it just past the half way point so the back end at the tractor will stay down, etc.
Then again, how to hold onto the tie: grapple or rope loop. Could use something like the tow hook that came with both Mazdas, e.g. screw into a tie and lift with it (could weaken the tie). However, comes the problem of how to get it out once the tie is in the middle of the stream. Where the stream is is maybe 5' deep with the water in it a few inches. A rope loop would work. Could lift a tie with the FEL and then prop it up and put rope loop under it. Maybe screw in a small bolt into the tie, to ensure the loop won't slip.
Any ideas? Also thought about putting some small bolts into the tie end near the stream and lift with the FEL and plop the tie onto the other side. This is how I did the 4x4s for the people bridge. Ties could slide sideways on the FEL, maybe not be held by the bolts digging into the soft, grassy ground.
Ralph
