Equipment on homemade bridges

[Jehinten]

I don't come across a lot of homemade bridges here, but I saw a couple at a recent quote and it got me thinking about whether or not I'd want to take my mini across it. The homeowners ended up requesting a no cleanup, so there is no need for a mini now, but whats your thoughts? Have you or would you cross a bridge with a mini or stump grinder that could have been built by anyone with any amount of construction knowledge?

Attached are a couple of pics of the bridge in question. They had a second bridge on the other end of the property, but I didn't get any pictures of it as I wouldn't have needed to drive there. Should have though, it was a neat little covered bridge leading to their barn.

 

[Reach]

I have encountered a couple homemade bridges, and they worry me often. I usually ask the homeowner if the bridge was designed/rated professionally; if not I ask what is driven over the bridge - propane truck, UPS truck, lawn mower? That determines what I will consider driving over it. If it looks too bad to cross, I’m not crossing it.

I’ll crane equipment over if need be, that’s cheaper than a new machine! If the bridge is short enough, or it’s just a questionable looking culvert, we may instead lay steel roadway plates over it temporarily to add some strength.

 

[flushcut]

You could always add some cribbing under the long span to support it more.
Just interestingly enough this week I was asked by the competition to look at a job for him because there is a bridge he doesn't want to drive his bucket across. I can't say I blame him as the bridge looks sketchy. When I was looking at the job a lumber delivery truck, big rig with fork truck on the back end, asked me what I thought the bridge was rated for. I said I had no idea but I wouldn't drive that across it unless you want to go swimming.
Steel bridges I would risk it but wood needs a hard look.
If they are driving across it with a car or pickup a mini should be fine. Sancho tanking the bridge in Geneva National Golf Course.

 

[Jehinten]

If they are driving across it with a car or pickup a mini should be fine.

I definitely agree. In this case there was a barn on the far side of the property that was only accessible by this bridge or by driving down the road and through the neighbor's property. But the current homeowners just bought the place two months ago and were not the tractor/ heavy equipment type, so no idea whether or not the previous owners drove over it to store equipment in the barn.

The decking, other than aged, looked plenty strong at the thickness that it was, but the piers under it looked a little small and far apart for anything bigger than a riding mower or possibly a mini. If I were to try and drive a truck across it, I'd test it out first with an old pickup that nobody cared about.

 

[Njdelaney]

That's exactly what I thought, looks like 6x6s sitting on a steel beam supported by 4x4 piers spaced far apart? The steel and 6x6s would handle a lot more than those few skinny little piers will, even with a big footing. Cribbing up right in the middle of the span seems like it would be adequate to drive a mini over with peace of mind to spare. My opinion from a few hundred miles away

 

[southsoundtree]

Point-loads on the front of loaded loaders are high.

 

[southsoundtree]

If you have long, detachable ramps (mine are 10'), you might span the bottom of the creek, instead.

 

[Jehinten]

That's exactly what I thought, looks like 6x6s sitting on a steel beam supported by 4x4 piers spaced far apart? The steel and 6x6s would handle a lot more than those few skinny little piers will, even with a big footing. Cribbing up right in the middle of the span seems like it would be adequate to drive a mini over with peace of mind to spare. My opinion from a few hundred miles away

it was 4X4s laid across an old weathered wood beam and 4X4 piers. I’m not sure the dimensions of the the beams, as it was already decided to be a no cleanup before I looked that close. But it got the wheels turning for the next time it comes up.

 

[Jehinten]

If you have long, detachable ramps (mine are 10'), you might span the bottom of the creek, instead.

I have the same 10 foot ramps, I bought mine based off of recommendations from you and others on here. I’ve certainly thought about that with deeper ditches when working in town, but I’m not sure if I could have made that work here. Definitely an option to keep in mind.

 

[philztoy]

What kind of ramps are those 10 footers?

I have the same 10 foot ramps, I bought mine based off of recommendations from you and others on here. I’ve certainly thought about that with deeper ditches when working in town, but I’m not sure if I could have made that work here. Definitely an option to keep in mind.

I have a solid bottom on this creek bed but the water depth varies from 3 inches to 3 feet depending on how my personal beaver war is proceeding. Right now the beavers are winning! I have a heavy metal I beam foot bridge which would handle a mini skid but I only welded it to be 2 feet wide as I had the beavers at bay for the last 5 years. But right now The water is ankle high on my boots standing on the platform of the 1550 and I am thinking I should have built a vehicle bridge! These days it looks (well and feels) like I am getting ready to submerge a submarine .... Dive Dive Dive!

 

[VenasNursery]

What kind of ramps are those 10 footers?

I have a solid bottom on this creek bed but the water depth varies from 3 inches to 3 feet depending on how my personal beaver war is proceeding. Right now the beavers are winning! I have a heavy metal I beam foot bridge which would handle a mini skid but I only welded it to be 2 feet wide as I had the beavers at bay for the last 5 years. But right now The water is ankle high on my boots on standing the platform of the 1550 and I am thinking I should have built a vehicle bridge! These days it looks (well and feels) like I am getting ready to submerge a submarine .... Dive Dive Dive! View attachment 72152

Nice way to clean out the under carriage

 

[evo]

The picture bridge I wouldn’t worry about it. Plywood can spread the load quite a bit. But based on the photos I wouldn’t have much hesitation pushing my chipper with the mini across that bridge. Of course I’d look at it pretty close.
What is the weak point(s) and how are you loading it? Just like a tree you need read it before you load it.

 

[southsoundtree]

Discountramps.com

10' x 16

These heavy duty loading ramps have a durable, aircraft grade aluminum construction that can handle skid loaders, Bobcats, tractors, and other equipment up to 10,000 lbs.

www.discountramps.com

 

[philztoy]

Discountramps.com

10' x 16

These heavy duty loading ramps have a durable, aircraft grade aluminum construction that can handle skid loaders, Bobcats, tractors, and other equipment up to 10,000 lbs.

www.discountramps.com

Thanks!

 

[rustykfd]

We encounter this all the time working large wildfires. Every fire department varies from no policy to absolutely no driving over a bridge that isn't posted with load limits. I always look at the supports, abutments and deck first, then consider what is built on the far side of the bridge and if there is another access. Did they pour concrete foundations/slabs or are foundations built of brick/block/natural stone materials. Do they gave a septic system and how do they pump it out? If the deck is a railroad car, it's likely fine unless the support structure is failing. Look for signs that equipment was driven across the waterway next to the bridge if there are indications that equipment was used in construction. I have done everything from refuse to allow any of my resources cross in vehicles to having equipment dump our water before we cross or limit the size of vehicles. I have also just driven around the bridge more than once. Use good judgement, balance risk with reward, manage/mitigate risk and don't be afraid to find another way.