Ramp to get over fence

[zkubota]

Okay, I've done a search, but not an easy topic to search it seems.

I'm wanting to build a ramp that will allow our four-wheelers and dirtbikes to cross without letting the cattle. (I know, lazy eh!) I'm thinking off just building a dirt ramp on the non-cattle side then a pipe ramp on the cattle side, kind of like a cattle guard on an incline?

Anyone have any ideas, done this yourself, pics, links, etc...

should I just build a narrow cattle guard and install?


thanks
zac

 

[sandman2234]

Going over the fence doesn't have a benefit, just makes for more problems. I would say a cattle gap crossing and be done with it. When I lived in cattle country, anyone entering cattle pastures would be required to open and close the gates. If you weren't able to handle that, you weren't welcome on the property.
Enough four wheeler traffic to warrant a gate is going to be hard on the grass. What's a poor cow to eat?
David from jax

 

[Mith]

I read an article in a mad (farmshow mag i think) where a guy had made a special gate so he could do just what you want to.

It was like a normal gate, only when you ran into it it layed down flat against the ground, and when you had gone over it used weights to pull itself back up.

 

[Silver_Knight]

try this American Fence & Supply Co., Inc. E-store :: Farm & Ranch :: Cattle Guards :: ATV CATTLE GUARD

 

[bmac]

try this American Fence & Supply Co., Inc. E-store :: Farm & Ranch :: Cattle Guards :: ATV CATTLE GUARD

Yeah, but how much air can you get driving over that thing?

 

[jimgerken]

I saw a real nice unit that looked a lot like the picture from the previous post by Silver_Knight, except the steel structure was tall enough to allow a full-heigth fence to be crossed. So the top platform was around 4 feet off the ground. The top surface was curved, or arched, also like the previous post picture, to allow the most gentle transition from the up ramp onto the platform, and back down onto the other (down) ramp. Unfortunately I cannot find an on-line picture of it. And the dealer I saw it at did not have any literature either. If the fence separated my land from my neighbor, and I wanted to leave the fence un-modifiied, the crossing structure would have to be tall like the one I saw and described to you. On the other hand, if it was my land, I would build it low like the one pictured in the previous post by Silver_Knight. It would do the same function, and be safer for the riders, especially the less-experienced ones.

 

[rback33]

OK, I am in the gate camp. Much less labor intensive and would actually BELONG in a fence. If they are not responsible enough to handle opening and closing a gate then they should not be driving atv's. Just my .02, others thoughts may vary.

Edit with this thought: I will concede that the ramp would be more FUN.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

as a teenager I built some simple ramps with poles and 2x4's like you described with the pipes so that I could buzz around with a dirt bike to check cattle and play. worked great and saved a lot of time until the day after a rain and boards were wet, a little too fast and approach not straight enough and I ended up sliding off the side and bouncing off the rail fence, hurt like the dickens. Look at the gates described as being in farmshow i think they'd be a whole lot safer if your wheels happened to get over the edge of a ramp.

 

[bamatoolmaker]

couldn't you just cattle grids instead of gates?

 

[bamatoolmaker]

couldn't you just use cattle grids instead of gates?

 

[Tig]

Jumps are more fun than gates or bridges.

 

[2manyrocks]

If your insurance agent sees it....

How long before somebody breaks their neck?

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Around here, nobody has callte gates. You just dig a ditch and lay pipe down across it. Cattle are afraid to cross it. Looks like a gap in the fence, which it is. They never get out.

 

[sandman2234]

WCH,
From what you just discribed, it sounds like you mean a cattle gap, which is probably the best way to keep cows in, if there is much traffic entering and exiting the area.
Old railroad tracks also work well for this, if you don't have acess to pipe.
David from jax

 

[R_Walter]

Do you know what a cattle guard is? The reason I ask is a lot of folks don't have a clue what one is. Get one of those and install it at a gate or near a gate.

Okay, I've done a search, but not an easy topic to search it seems.

I'm wanting to build a ramp that will allow our four-wheelers and dirtbikes to cross without letting the cattle. (I know, lazy eh!) I'm thinking off just building a dirt ramp on the non-cattle side then a pipe ramp on the cattle side, kind of like a cattle guard on an incline?

Anyone have any ideas, done this yourself, pics, links, etc...

should I just build a narrow cattle guard and install?


thanks
zac

 

[zkubota]

If your insurance agent sees it....

How long before somebody breaks their neck?

Well, I hope they don't drive down a little further and see my motocross track

I am in the gate camp. Much less labor intensive and would actually BELONG in a fence. If they are not responsible enough to handle opening and closing a gate then they should not be driving atv's. Just my .02, others thoughts may vary.

The crossing is only for myself and my children. We are all responsible enough to stop an open the gate. I have numerous gates, but for this pasture that the kids and I frequent I don't want to open/shut a gate.

Sounds like the miniature cattle guard might be the simplest. Although I may like the thought of launching my dirtbike over the fence!

Thanks for the thoughts, anymore?

 

[Silver_Knight]

I have been cross fencing my place for the last few weeks and have looked at the atv ramp. It is well made but the way I see it is just go ahead and install a full cattle guard. I have already installed 4 guards and have one more to go. I'm not responsible enough to get out/up/off of whatever I'm driving to open a gate. So much better to just drive over and keep on cruising.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

WCH,
From what you just discribed, it sounds like you mean a cattle gap, which is probably the best way to keep cows in, if there is much traffic entering and exiting the area.
Old railroad tracks also work well for this, if you don't have acess to pipe.
David from jax

I just didn't know there was a technical name for it. I have led a sheltered life.

 

[sandman2234]

WCH,
You been around the block more than you are admitting. Anyone that would know how cats taste has been out of those hills and into the city at least a time or two. By the way, if you want to hunt tourists, there is a season on them down here, so come on down...
David from jax

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Hey sandman, you crack me up.

Many moons ago when I ingested too many chemicals, I lived in New Jersey. There was a Chinese restaurant there that had the best Chinese food for counties around. The owner was busted picking up road kill and taking cats out of driveways. It was in the newspaper so it must be true. So it's funny you mention about being in the city.