The bridge

[andrehoude123]

Im looking to make a bridge to cross a little creek at the camp need to build up the banks a good 6 feet so set my bridge on at a nice height so that the angle to get on the bridge isent to step I was thinking of making my 2 walls with big stones because wood rots to fast I have look of trees and a friend with a saw mill so I can get pretty much anything milled so I was thinking what's the best kinda wood to use I have about a 15 foot span I want to be able to cross the 4 wheelers and the side by side and even better it would be nice if I could bring across the maverick so I you guys have any experience with this I would like to know how big of beams and what size of decking and how much I need to got inwards with my retaining wall as I go up like 1 foot in for 2 feet up?

Thanks!!

 

[rekees4300]

There are several threads at TBN discussing this topic. Use the TBN Search function, enter "bridge" as a keyword and select "Search Titles Only"

 

[SPIKER]

I would look for some White Oak, Clear in 3x12's to the length you need, White Oak, Red Elm, Osage Orange or maybe Locust Wood Species depends as dont know WHERE you are located at.

Span it with at least 4 beams and then add decking of 1.5" x 8" boards. The boards should all be free span away from any dirt contact but you can maybe pack some gravel around ends of the beams. The decking can be made from Pressure Treated SYP in at least 8" wide and dont have to be solid. If wanted for those sized toys going accost can span it with 8ea 2x12 Press Treated SYP be sure to use X braces or solid braces in between the planks on less than 8' spacing.

Mark

 

[andrehoude123]

Thanks guys for the replys

 

[andrehoude123]

Here's the bridge so far

 

[KennyG]

What are you using for the planking? I assume you had them cut for you. They look pretty substantial.

My only comment would be about bracing. I would be concerned about the logs trying to "roll" and loosening the screws through the planks. Maybe lag bolt a few planks across the bottom? Am I being paranoid?

 

[andrehoude123]

The decking was cut by a sawmill that came over and sawed for us it's 2x6 or 2x10 and for the logs rolling I will put an end plate going from one log to an other that will hold it all together That's this weekends projects

 

[buckeyefarmer]

looks nice.

 

[Bob77064]

It looks very strong.

 

[andrehoude123]

Now I just need to find some more pine trees to mill up on 300 acres it's gonna be more of a challenge than building the bridge

 

[andrehoude123]

Here is the bridge with the end plate in and the ramp built up







And what most if the other bridges look out here



Pretty rough on a 4 wheeler

 

[deezler]

Awesome, I need to make one just like this. Only, I would worry about the strength with just two main logs as your beams. I personally would have doubled it up, with at least 4 main log beams. Notice how the "other bridges around here" pic you put up has many, many beams. You just can't trust a tree log to last as the primary support, in my opinion. (note, this is far from a professional opinion). If you are only driving 4-wheelers across, of course no worries. But that L45 with attachments, or a full bucket load of material? Maybe safe now, but in 5 years I would be getting nervous.

In any case, looks like good work and many thanks for sharing! Any more pics of the support bases?

 

[deezler]

By the way, what type of wood (tree species) did you select for those beams?

 

[andrehoude123]

Just atv and snowmobiles in the winter no backhoe on this bridge and the beams are about 18 inch pin trees Jackpine to be precise

 

[scottp62]

looks great