Railroad Ties for Truck Bridge?!?

[holdin4horns]

I'll be heading out to the lease this weekend for two nights to get as much work done as I can. The biggest task I will be facing will be re-locating a feeder/stand to a new area. We have already located the spot, a circle of 10 -12 mature Oak trees that create perfect cover amongst the mesquite. There is already a feeder pen set up at about 20 yards, just needs a little tlc. The location is perfect!!

Perfect, except that in order to drive up to the feeder to refill corn, etc. i would have to cross at least one small ravine (6-7 feet across, 4-6 ft deep). Too deep and small for the Z-71. Since I don't have an ATV, I'll have to drive the truck, or carry bags of corn 50+ yards.

Since the stand/feeder location moving is not an option, (would rather carry sacs of corn over a distance that give up such a great spot), we had the idea of using RR Ties to lay over the ravine/s. Would they support the truck?!!?!

Anyone used RR Ties for a small bridge before????? Pics??? Thanks

[cosmiccowboy]

If I were you I would sure consider putting a culvert in and a dirt/gravel water crossing instead of a bridge. If a cross tie DOES break or slip you are gonna total your truck.

[bigbird]

We built a bridge using 4- 15' RR ties and 2x12s over a creek with about a 9' span.
we drive tractors,4 wheelers and a suburban over it all last year and have had no problems

[LUCKY AGAIN]

I built 2 such bridges a couple weeks ago. I drove my 4 door tacoma across both with no problems. You need to drill and stake them with 2 to 3 ft x 1/2" dia rebars so they won't wash. Send me your email and i will send pictures. I can't seem to resize as required for this site.

[holdin4horns]

a Tractor huh?!? I would assume that would be a good test!

So did you use any kind of footing?? seems that the weight of the vehicles would push them down into the ground. 15' ties over 9' gap, so that means you've got 3' of both ends of the ties on level ground??

[bigbird]

we drove rebar on the outside of the ties on each side.it's mainly for 4 wheelers and a few times when mowing and planting and moving stands do we use bigger vehicles

[Tbar]

I don't know about railroad ties but 30+ years ago we built one out of railroad bridge timbers.


Timbers in my brothers truck......kinda over loaded.


It was a lot of work as we were spanning a larger distance than you are.


This bridge would still be in place today if it had been wider. It was completely serviceable the day I tore it out and replaced it with a steel structure.


It carried the weight of this backhoe......


Tbar

[holdin4horns]

I cant see the pics...

[holdin4horns]

I've also heard of people using guard rail material, but I think this is mainly for smaller ATV's. Any experience with this out there?!?

[holdin4horns]

okay, now i see them. Work network apparently sucks...

Looks pretty good!! Thanks