Bridge#2

[buggyman1]

If Pepper trusts it, it must be good!

He looks likie a smart boy!

Now for the "Cat scan"... LOL

The pic is of Bud. I'll have to post some pics of Salt & Pepper, Kayla is posing in the B-1 pics, but you're right about Bud, he is smart, he's my engineer. As for the cat...she's...she's a cat.

 

[buggyman1]

I'm on vacation starting tomorrow. I'm planning on getting b-2 done this week, providing the weather lets me. I will try to post pics of my progress each night. My goal is to have all of the slats down by tuesday, and test it with the Kubota crossing it the same day (from one side only). From there, i'll start building up (backfilling) the ends, then i'll start on the side rails. RIGHT, i'll probably still be drilling this time next week. Bud says it can be done...thats what we're going with. Wish me luck.

 

[buggyman1]

Sorry, no pics (worked till dark). I got half of the slats down. Keep in mind i'm drilling 4 holes per slat through the i-beams, plus 6 more pilot-holes in the runners (im using 3 & 1/2" coated decking screws). Its a slow process. I'll take some pics tomorrow before i start, and hopefully when (IF) i finish. If anyones ever put-down hardwood flooring, its about the same "on your knees, back-breaking, mind-numbing" work, only slower. Its looking like a bridge now, imma tired, but happy with it.

 

[jayste]

Buggyman, sounds like your vacations are like mine. Work like a dog and go back to work (your job) to rest!!

 

[buggyman1]

Heres some pics from yesterday. I got all but the last 12 feet or so done today. It feels really strong just walking on it. I should get done with the slats tomorrow, and the dreaded drilling.

 

[jayste]

Wow! We don't have bridges that stout on our county roads!! Nice job, Buggyman! Won't be long before the orange machine is nicely posed in the middle of it!

Jay

 

[woodlandfarms]

Three questions. What is your budget on this? I am so very impressed and very jealous. Second, your second photo looks like the top planking is in line with the bridge (Slight going off center - slowly moving one way while the structure goes the other). I am pretty sure this is a lense aberration. Finally, where are the dogs?

 

[buggyman1]

Finally got done with the slats at 10:00pm tonight. It was a $@&! nitemare drilling all them holes. For the record, there is 75 slats...x 4.. thats 300 holes drilled through the steel i-beams, plus 450 pilot holes drilled in the runners. My whole body is sore and numb. I was one nut short on the bolts... i'll get it tomorrow. I drove the Kubota across it tonight...it was kinda spooky in the dark... almost sureal with just lights shining to see by. Everything went fine, I think i may have even overbuilt it. I left the K sitting on it tonight just for good measure. I did take pics...but they turned-out like crap in the dark.

 

[buggyman1]

Three questions. What is your budget on this? I am so very impressed and very jealous. Second, your second photo looks like the top planking is in line with the bridge (Slight going off center - slowly moving one way while the structure goes the other). I am pretty sure this is a lense aberration. Finally, where are the dogs?

The 25 foot i-beams were $300.00 per, add another $150.00 for the ten footers, and around 250.00 for the channel and angle. I already had the grade 8 hardware..prob. around 300.00 for the rest of the hardware (minus one nut), the wood...i'm guessing around $600.00 so far (i still have the rails to go)...the concrete, motar, and blocks...i'm guessing about $700.00...It seems like a lot...it is a lot, but the final project..."priceless". I think the photo you're refering to is just my bad camera angle...i assure you everything is level, and square. The dogs are asleep, as i should be.

 

[buggyman1]

Wow! We don't have bridges that stout on our county roads!! Nice job, Buggyman! Won't be long before the orange machine is nicely posed in the middle of it!

Jay

Thanks...she's on it as we speak...

 

[buggyman1]

Here's a couple of pics of the first crossing (i told you they were crappy), i'll post more pics tomorrow.

 

[wedge40]

I'm thinking after a couple of beers those photos will be just fine.

Wedge

 

[jayste]

Oh yea! Burning the midnight oil! I can see it now, going back to work to catch up on your sleep!
Looks good, Buggyman. I see you actually did pose the tractor in the middle of the bridge. Good job. I see all your "help" petered out on you! Man, that's a lot of holes to drill! How many bits did you go through or have to sharpen?

Jay

 

[buggyman1]

I didn't do much today, hauled a little rock and took a few pics. Here's some (hopefully better) pics of the bridge. It seems real strong, even rocking the tractor, the bridge don't move.

 

[buggyman1]

More pics...with the Kubota.

 

[buggyman1]

Oh yea! Burning the midnight oil! I can see it now, going back to work to catch up on your sleep!
Looks good, Buggyman. I see you actually did pose the tractor in the middle of the bridge. Good job. I see all your "help" petered out on you! Man, that's a lot of holes to drill! How many bits did you go through or have to sharpen?

Jay

I bought two 3/4" bits for the cross-braces, paid $17.00 apiece, they were Hitachi. I only used one of them...I was impressed. The last hole drilled as well as the first. Same thing on the 1/4" bit for the slats...one bit drilled all of the holes. The Hitachi bits were pricey, but well worth it. I will buy them again.

 

[jayste]

I bought two 3/4" bits for the cross-braces, paid $17.00 apiece, they were Hitachi. I only used one of them...I was impressed. The last hole drilled as well as the first. Same thing on the 1/4" bit for the slats...one bit drilled all of the holes. The Hitachi bits were pricey, but well worth it. I will buy them again.

I understand fully! You do get what you pay for when it comes to cutting tools! Did you lubricate any of the hole drilling or just go dry?

Do you think you'll have to put some kind of burm or water control or diversion on the up-hill side of your bridge?

Man! The more I look at that bridge the more I like it! The rails will really bring it all together. Again, nice job!

Jay

 

[jimmyj]

Buggyman, your bridge is amazing. Thanks for sharing this and congratulations on a job well done!!!

 

[JohnDeere4300]

You did a great job on the bridge!


Do you have another place to build a bridge ?

With two bridges on your property now.. That should increase the value of it!

Thanks for sharing your work!

 

[buggyman1]

I understand fully! You do get what you pay for when it comes to cutting tools! Did you lubricate any of the hole drilling or just go dry?

Do you think you'll have to put some kind of burm or water control or diversion on the up-hill side of your bridge?

Man! The more I look at that bridge the more I like it! The rails will really bring it all together. Again, nice job!

Jay

I drilled the holes dry, but prob. should have used some type of fluid. I think I will have draining issues, its kinda wait and see (for the next big rain), kinda see what i'm up against. Thanks for the props.