Best temporary ditch crossing for a tractor?

[RPW]

Also you might just want to go ahead and determine where you want your entrance will be and put your culvert in permenant. Will take a bit of planning but the job will be done. Then create a gate that extends at least 10 to 20 feet beyond your entrance to keep the law abiding causual visitors from entering. You're not going to stop somebody with a 4 wheeler or determination even if you've got a fortress built. Sometimes we over plan our projects instead of just getting them done.

Good luck.

 

[Jay4200]

So I need to get my Kubota B2920 across a roadside ditch to access our new piece of land. Eventually I will install a driveway entrance culvert and put down gravel, but I have a lot of work to get done before we can tackle that (among other things, we haven't pinned down the exact driveway location yet, plus I will need to get the tractor on the other side to start the culvert construction anyhow).

Pretty sure you could simply drive across it. I would. Throw a couple sheets of 3/4" plywood in the middle if it gets muddy.

JayC

 

[xtn]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armoured_vehicle-launched_bridge

 

[jbrumberg]

I would build a cordorory road like loggers use to cross swampy areas but use 4"x4"x 8 foot fence post. Since the OP wants to remove it each trip, first lay down 2 ropes or chain about the width of your tractor tires, then lay your post on top of the rope. When finished, hook the tractor to the ropes/chains and pull out the timbers that will undoubtedly be smashed into the mud. Easy, reusable and best of all, no back strain or hogging in the mud to remove your timbers.

I used logs. I was not as smart as Gary. Next time. I ended up digging the area out, adding ballast rock, and putting in/burying a plastic culvert in what I believe to be in accordance (or better) than any requirements. Anything I do close to the road is discussed with the Town Highway Department.

 

[grsthegreat]

yeiks...too much over thinking. I had the same thing on my property 16 years ago. i just laid a 10" plastic culvert where it was the less dense in tree growth and had a load of gravel dumped.

A year later i put in the permanent driveway and culvert and removed the temp one with the loader...about 1 hours work as i recall.

 

[Scotty370]

I'd explain my dilemma to your Tn Highway Super, unless you really feel you have to do this on the QT! I put in a Field Drive to access some deer plots and although I didn't need a permit, they 'Spec'd' the diameter and length, and after I bought it, ($180-?) they installed it with their gravel! They wanted 18" corregated poly with a smooth invert! I bought it from the Town's supplier, and they threw it on the truck when they picked up their next order. You really don't want to PO the Highway folks, You'll be dealing with the 'down the road' (No pun intended!) The real issue is who are you dealing with? Town? Relitively easy, County- Permit, and harder, State - Permit, and harder yet........That's been my experiance.......~Scotty

 

[Bigfoot62]

If you just don't want to install the culvert right now, check with a local oilfield service company or heavy equipment contractor, and get a "mud mat." You can lay it across the ditch, then remove it when you leave.

 

[dillo99]

Dig out some of the mud in the bottom of the ditch and add a layer of gravel. This won't interfere with water flow and then you can drive over it. Reduce the slope of the sides as well if you want to make it safer. Add two posts, a chain and a no trespassing sign if you are worried about that.

 

[jmc]

If anyone mentioned rail road ties, I missed it. Span (most of) the ditch two ties wide for both tire tracks. Connect each pair securely together for stability. Easily removeable, and you can always use them for other projects.

 

[taborekle]

If anyone mentioned rail road ties, I missed it. Span (most of) the ditch two ties wide for both tire tracks. Connect each pair securely together for stability. Easily removeable, and you can always use them for other projects.

If you have 4 wheeler or tractor ramps, just put them in the ditch and drive over them. If not, I like the rail road ties or cinder block idea.

 

[radioman]

what about a empty flatbed 16' trailer? If your tractor is heavy enough, I would push down with FEL in back and roll it forward until tongue makes it to other side. With the 60/40 or 80/20 placement of axles I am sure the tongue will make it across before last axle falls in the ditch.

 

[idaho2]

If the ditch is off a public maintained road beware of Hwy depts. Especially when it comes to getting a building permit.

Here in North Idaho the North Idaho Hwy Dept had an issue with our access off the county road. The access road had been there since 1898! The access had to be moved so they said by 150 ft to have road visusal sight in both directions of 1500'! Long story shortened we added 6' to our road approach to be signed off. Had we not done this we would be denied any building permits!! So do not underestimate the authority/power of road depts.

Idaho2

 

[Fixemall]

Use the railroad ties and be done, I've ran medium weight excavators over them with no issues, if you keep a chain handy they are easily repositioned with your FEL.

 

[Don87]

I'll chime in on the railroad ties also.

Cheap, easy to install/remove, strong, and can be used for other projects later on.

 

[Qapla]

Keep in mind that you will not keep 4-wheelers out if they want in ... especially when you are not there so making the temp-drive removable is not as important as having a way for YOU to get into your property.

I would opt for the RR ties if I were doing it. They can definitely hold the weight (we use them for this very thing) I would also just leave them there till I installed the permanent drive.

If you want to keep cars from being able to have easy access, install the RR ties part way down the slope. The tractor will not have any problem with that but a car would never make it.

If needed, wait till DOT has approved the road before you build a temp access.