How do you build a bridge over a creek for a Tractor

[kiotiken]

I talked to a guy that installs drainage tiles in farmers fields. The center of the roll of drainage pipe is a plastic culvert. I got two of them from him for $20. They're only 8' long, but they did the trick. I believe they are 18" diameter.

 

[Carl_NH]

Get some 8' used RR ties, $9 each at Lowes - you could use 2 and put PT on the top, or just use 7-8 ties wide and make it solid may be cheaper.

 

[ericb2400]

Just dump some rock on each bank and the bottom. Will firm it up and not rot.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Just dump some rock on each bank and the bottom. Will firm it up and not rot.

I have a couple brook crossings. The ones with a smooth approach and not to deep I used rock. We have plenty every where just laying around. Every time I graded the road or picked rocks in the spring I put them in the brook. Like eric says once they are there they last forever. If you can get a small dump truck a couple ton of 3" rock only costs about $20.
The crossing in a deep channel I got a used culvert from the town and used that.

 

[AchingBack]

Two culverts, side by side, topped with rock, will allow maximum water flow, and the least amount of erosion. I don't think you need a bridge, although, they do look nice, and will probably last longer.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I built an 11' X 16' long wide bridge using RR ties and 2" rough planking. Cost around $500 for all. I had wet humus laden material on both sides so had to span the 16' to get solid footing. 2 12' sill ties 3 16' stringer ties and nailed the deck with 8" spikes. Tied the stringers to the sills with 18" form stakes drilled and driven through. I can take tractor easy, and have drive my 1 ton truck w/ 2 yds. of gravel over it. Pays to build for any eventuality.

Ron

 

[870boy]

I will say this about putting culverts in a stream....Don't be too cheap. Buy a large enough (diameter pipe). You may want to check with your local Soil and Water Conservation service, they can recommend the right diameter based on the size of the watershed up stream from your location. Depending on your location snow melt and a large rain fall can make for pretty rapid and large volumes of water even in a small stream.

 

[Jim Shooz]

If it is never going to get too deep to ford why not divert it for a day and put in a concrete ford. And before any smasrta*se gets in I don't mean fill a F50 with concrete and drop it in.

I have a creek, water about 12" - 15"max but it is about 4 feet below the banks on either side. I have laid 3 36' H4 treated pine poles across and used 8x2 for decking. Gets a bit slippery after a long wet spell and with no sides and a slope to one corner you have to be conscious of the pucker factor.

 

[txdon]

My avatar shows my bridge. A large culvert with rocks +. If your are interested in the step by step there is a thread here on TBN that shows it from planning stage to completion. Let me know if that's what you are looking for and I'll look for the link.

 

[crazyal]

My first question is can you see this from your house and how pretty would you like it to be. Culverts are easy but some nice pressure treated wood could make a much nicer looking bridge. Culverts, if too small can get plugged up with silt and require cleaning.