Ramp/Bridge

[JCA]

Hi folks. I'm looking for a lightweight (aluminum?) ramp to use as a bridge to get across a little stream on my property. The property is pretty hilly, so I need to cross at several points to get to all (actually, most of) it. So I want something I can carry or drag from place to place. I'm in the process of planning some foot bridges, but I'd rather leave them for folks, and use a temporary ramp/bridge when I need to get across on the tractor.

All I can find are these ATV ramps that are made to use one per side. That's fine with an ATV or with a tractor with the tires set to narrow, but like I said, I've got hills, so I want the wheels wide for stability. And when the back tires are wide, their enough wider than the front tires that those single-wheel ATV ramps don't work too well. So what I need is either a much wider version o those ATV ramps (so that both the front and back tires on one side can be well on the ramp at the same time) or something about four feet wide. Length needs to be at about 8 feet (seven might do), and it needs to be able to hold about 2000 lbs (B7510 + loader + loaded tires).

I might end up having something fabricated, but it's likely to be cheaper and lighter if I can buy prefab. Light is nice.

Thoughts?

Jim

 

[Mrwurm]

Search this site carefully Discountramps.com . They offer all types of ramps in many different capacities and configurations. If they don't have it nobody does.

 

[RoyJackson]

Boy, you may be asking a lot. If you can weld, I'd consider home built. If not, you might have to find a local fabrication shop. Remember, although Aluminum is strong, it's not as strong as mild steels for a given thickness. For example, if you wanted to use 3/16's steel, you may have to use ¼" aluminum to get the same strength.

You may find wood is a better option. You can design it to use the support beams as runners if you have to drag it.

As far as purchasing one, I'd look into military surplus.

 

[Rip]

I checked out the ramp site Jerry suggested and they look like a very good source.

I do think you may be underestimating the actual weight of your tractor with FEL and loaded tires though. You may be a lot closer to (and perhaps over) 3000 lbs!

Also, you want the ramp/bridge to sit firmly on the "flat" land on either side of any ravine, otherwise there is very good chance one end or the other will slide down as weight is applied to it.

Another possible option might be a pair of used aluminum slide-in loading ramps that rental and other light delivery trucks use. These may be in the 10 to 12 ft long range and each is wide enough to handle the off-set front and rear wheel track of your tractor. If needed, one could weld or bolt two reenforcing channels underneath for extra strength. You could set one on top of the other and skid them around.

Good luck, but don't underestimate your actual weight.... tractors and implements get heavy fast!

Rip

 

[SPIKER]

We have been building little bridges for just such uses. but shipping from OHIO to maine would be a killer. we use steel tube and roll it so it has an arch and weld on tabs for wood 1.5" treated decking. some photos are on our web site at http://www.haynncorp.com/wagons we have a couple that we drive the golfcarts across that are HEAVLY arched more for decorations but the two on our home page span 45 and 53 feet respectivly. they are FUN diversions as the cost to build is high enough to keep any profit down.

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but the two on our home page span 45 and 53 feet respectivly )</font>

Well, I looked at that page and saw many wagons and one bridge that was 10' long.

But through visits to several of your links I happened to find your larger bridges. Do you happen to know what type of weight they can handle?

 

[Rip]

Spiker has a good point, perhaps it may be better to plan and build several permenant bridges similar to the arched ones shown on his company web site that can serve pedestrians as well as your tractor.

One can also make some pretty nice timber bridges that would look nice and be strong and durable as well.

Yet another idea might be to place a short section of culvert in one or two inconspicous locations covered with dirt/gravel even if you had to drop down and climb back up a bit.

One could also perhaps construct a "ford" with rocks and/or concrete to cross the stream in one or more places.

Just some food for thought.....

Rip

 

[SimS]

This might be overkill, but I think these guys may make custom designs. web page Good luck.
SimS

 

[JCA]

Spiker,

****. Nice work.

Jim

 

[Henro]

Does it have to be a bridge?

I had a small bridge I made over a ditch behind my pond. I used some piling I got from work to span it. The piling was about 7 feel long. The ditch was maybe four feet wide at the top..

Beside that bridge I put in a piece of 16" pipe, 20 feet long. That pipe was much better than the bridge by far. I also at a different point in the ditch have a piece of something similar, an old piece of corregated pipe about 10 feet long. That is adequate for my B2910 kubota.

If I had a choice I would forget the bridge and use pipe if I were you and could stand to do it. It does not look bad in my case, actually looks better than the little bridge did. It is permanent and you don't have to drag anything. It is there when you want it and you can walk across it too...

Unless you do the little bridges right, I think you have more chance of an accident with them than you do with a piece of pipe that is covered with earth and perhaps twice as wide as your rear tires.

Just a different thought for your consideration. May not be appropriate for your needs but it sure works for mine! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif