Considering a Service Pit.

[Diggin It]

My ground is sloped enough to do this, but I'm wondering if it can be done safely, or if this is one of those 'hold my beer' ideas.

Sketch is not to any scale. The two red boards could be 2x6 or 2x8, maybe larger if necessary. Top planks (brown) would be 2x10 or wider as necessary to accommodate the tires. Orange post could be a 6" or 8" round fence post or maybe a 4x6 set 2-3 feet deep in concrete. Might do concrete between the posts and the upper part of the slope to tie it all together.

Not sure of the weight capacity of the idea though. It would need to hold the SCUT at a 1,500 pound base weight plus tires loaded with Rimguard. I would only put two wheels on the planks at a time, the other two remaining on the ground. Platform would only need to hold something around half the weight that way. But it needs to be stable enough to be underneath it, so I'd like to allow for a minimum of 2,500 -3,000 pounds for a safety margin.

Can this even be done with wood? I don't really have access to surplus steel beams or the tools to work with them.

 

[EddieWalker]

Is this going out over a slope, kind of like a boat dock? Lots of bridges and trestles are built out of wood, so there isn't any reason that you couldn't do the same. The only time I ever built up an area to get under my tractor, I used dirt to built up two berms to park on so I could get under there with more room to work. I only went up about two feet, but that was a huge improvement!!!

 

[Jchonline]

Have you tried just lifting the machine with the FEL and BH, then putting some jack stands under it? Also in the future would you ever consider a larger machine? Might want to spec for that possibility as well.

 

[AllDodge]

Yes you can build out of wood, just need to design it for the weight. If your going to dig into the hill side then your going to need a retaining wall and if doing that just pour concrete.

Figure out the span and height, the it can be calculated

 

[Diggin It]

Since I wouldn't need more than half the machine on it, I don't see a need for it to be longer than 4', maybe 6'. Height wouldn't need to be more than 2' or so.

I don't really have a place to do the double berm concept or enough hard ground near the shed to set in on jack stands.

 

[GLyford]

I have seen that done with concrete, but it means you don't have room under the ramp areas for tools or to stretch for an odd angle.

I only used it once, and had no problems using it with those parts just being solid. Height was 2 to 2-1/2 feet, don't remember exactly.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ I'm 6'+ so I need room to move. That means it has to be wider overall than the tire width. I'd like to be able to stand in it beside the machine or be able to sit on the sidewalls, so we're talking 6' wide or more.

 

[Jchonline]

Ah nice. While you are pouring the concrete retaining wall, bight as well get some nice footings to hold the structure up as well. This is sounding like a fun project!

 

[AllDodge]

If this is for a car/truck (mentioned 2500-3000 lbs) then use a 6x6 as the runners and notch for 2x8 extending to 8 feet, or 2x10 to 12 feet. Using 6x6 and going 12 feet add another down post. Use some X bracing where the wheels set. Decking 2x6

If this is for lighter items like in your sig then could reduce the lumber size.

 

[MossRoad]

Just curious, but how often do you have to service the machine that it's worth building a pit? Is it a high hour per year machine?