need advice about how to cut 36" metal pipe

[tmyers1956]

Does the pipes ever run full ?
2 36" pipes will carry alot of water
Is the bend really going to make that much of a difference other than looks?

 

[rbtjr]

The cutting torch is great tool but the skill in cutting galv. thin gauge is tricky. Then dirt and mud also make it tough. I am not saying it would not work just transport of bottles and time is a lot. Plasma cutters are for the shop or deep pockets. I think the fastest way to cut is sawzall with Lenox gold metal blades. I have no stake in the company but the blades are the best and fastest. The generator is easier to haul than bottles and you will be through faster.
By the way my welding truck has been in some the roughest backwoods in Ms, La, and Ar. If you called me to cut it this what I would do with all the tools available right there. Good luck!!

My neighbor is bringing his cutting torch with his backhoe, but I plan on buying a sawzal today. The sawzall has been recommended by several posters. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[rbtjr]

Does the pipes ever run full ?
2 36" pipes will carry alot of water
Is the bend really going to make that much of a difference other than looks?

Yes, the pipes do run full, but only rarely. The pipes were installed and the bridge built in 2003. Since then, water has gone over or around the bridge probably seven or eight times--probably three times during very heavy rain storms, and the rest when one or both pipes got stopped up with large debris washing downstream. I just had this bridge and the road on both sides of the bridge reworked by a guy with a Cat 955 loader. (This work was done due to the logging skidders having scraped off a lot of the dirt on and around the bridge--the same skidders that caused the damage to the pipe. When that loader work was done, I wasn't aware of the bend in the pipe because the end of the pipe was covered. I probably would have proceeded with the bridge work anyway.) I had him contour the grade on and around the bridge so that if the pipes can't handle the water flow, the overflow will go well around the bridge and not over it. When an overflow occurs, I will know the exact course and width of the overflow path. I have the upper face of the bridge covered with geotechnical fabric with rip rap on it. Once I know where the overflow goes around the bridge, I will take out some dirt in the overflow path where it crosses the road, cover the overflow path in the road with geotech fabric, and put rip rap on top of the fabric. I have done this at two other places where I have roads through areas that flood with pretty rapid water flow. It works well--allows the water to follow its normal course but stops the erosion in the road, and we have no problem crossing the rip rap with the tractor, truck, atv, etc. I already have the rip rap and geotech cloth, so regardless of what happens with the bent pipe I'll be ready to deal with it.

 

[Shield Arc]

My neighbor is bringing his cutting torch with his backhoe

............................:thumbsup:

 

[Jesse masterson]

If you k ow anybody from the fire dept , they usakly keep jaws of life to remove trapped people, they may offer there services cheap.

 

[ericher69]

If you k ow anybody from the fire dept , they usakly keep jaws of life to remove trapped people, they may offer there services cheap.

Good luck with that one but all the power to you if you "know" someone.

Around here these tools are ONLY for extrication purposes. Wouldn't make sense to break the spreaders or worse; injure someone just to help out a friend.

 

[Jesse masterson]

I guess it's diff there, for a price I'm sure they'd come out.id say if the tool breaks its better to break in a non emergency than in a life and death situation

 

[rbtjr]

If you k ow anybody from the fire dept , they usakly keep jaws of life to remove trapped people, they may offer there services cheap.

The jaws-of-life device is another interesting idea: There is a volunteer fire department not too far from our place. I'd bet they have a jaws-of-life device and I'd bet they would help me with it for a contribution. Thanks. I'll know more after our attempt today using the backhoe.

 

[Shield Arc]

I'll know more after our attempt today using the backhoe.

Don't forget the pictures! We like pictures!:thumbsup:
I've cut some pipe in my day, here are a few pictures of some pipe I've worked with.

 

[Smallplot]

Sounds cheaper to just buy another culvert and replace that bent one.