Bridge Lumber

[sdavies2000]

Rather deal with a bear once than fight wolves over and over...

That is actually a great quote. however.

it’s a slow moving creek that only floods out if I let the beavers have their way.

Primarily it will serve to allow foot traffic and atv’s but it would be nice to have the option to drive a tractor or skidsteer over it.

ill get some pictures today or tomorrow.

there is a very old bridge I’m currently using right now, I’ve never taken my tractor across it but it was part of the snowmobile trail so large grooming machines would have went over it for decades. All it is is 4 logs spanning the distance with supports underneath and 3x4 lumber decking.

I just want to recreate what they had here before, just not sure what kind of trees they used but I’m willing to bet they didn’t go far for them.

 

[Diggin It]

it’s a slow moving creek that only floods out if I let the beavers have their way.

Primarily it will serve to allow foot traffic and atv’s but it would be nice to have the option to drive a tractor or skidsteer over it.

there is a very old bridge I’m currently using right now, I’ve never taken my tractor across it but it was part of the snowmobile trail so large grooming machines would have went over it for decades. All it is is 4 logs spanning the distance with supports underneath and 3x4 lumber decking.

I just want to recreate what they had here before, just not sure what kind of trees they used but I’m willing to bet they didn’t go far for them.

OK, so lay enough rock to make the crossing about 10-15' wide. Build your foot bridge 4-5' wide along one edge of the rock path. The ATVs and whatever can cross on the rocks beside the foot bridge.

Only problem with that might be if the bottom is soft enough for the rocks to press into and make it necessary to keep adding more rock.

 

[Clintock]

Slow moving, 18” deep. All honesty I’d just drive across it. If it’s too boggy in bottom just get a little rock and line the bottom

 

[sdavies2000]

Slow moving, 18” deep. All honesty I’d just drive across it. If it’s too boggy in bottom just get a little rock and line the bottom

Well It gets most of its use in the winter time from cross country skiing. I have a trail groomer i tow With atv around the trails in winter so it has to cross the creek. I just want to replicate what’s already there, just wondered what my best choice of stringers are and I’d like to use the resources I already have. I’m 80% sure the stringers under the old bridge are cedar but the article I read about using hardwood for stringers had me second guesssing.

 

[PILOON]

If it is only for snow machines and skiers then simple hydro poles could suffice.
ATV and snow groomer should not be a problem.
LOL, just leave your tractor home.

 

[JethroB]

Old utility poles. Our local electric co-op used to give them away. Not sure if they still do. Good for pole barns too. And piers/docks.

 

[Sebculb]

Use full on round wood tree trunk poles. I'm sure you already know this but round tree trunks are way stronger than milled up wood. Find some nice strong hardwood trees of an appropriate size and use those.

I live in rural Costa Rica and they build some bridges around here by pouring concrete abutments on both sides of the stream. Up a good bit from the ground level in case the river gets big and a trapezoidal shape on the sides to help Chanel the water through, if that makes any sense.

Then they lay logs across the abutments. I've seen big ol' bridges that they drive trucks across. Not like a tractor trailer but a box truck or cattle truck no problem. There's some hardwoods here that are so hard the Sawyers don't like them cuz they destroy chains and bands etc. But they're great for spanning bridges.

The logs are placed together side by side, it can be three or four, and They use clay dirt to fill in the undulations. Then pour a thick concrete slab over it. Works good for a long time. I've participated in building a couple of these things since I drive a backhoe.

I dunno if that's more elaborate than you were hoping but you can definitely span 30' if you cut down a good size tree and have a machine that can drag it around and place it.