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spltbrow
Member
How long of a span is that? If you can get them all anchored to each other that will help strengthen it and you may not need a center support. Each pole will help strengthen the next pole if you can attatch them to each other in multiple spots. Then it would be pretty strong.
Or you may have to put a brace on each side of the creek (just outside the water flow) to shorten the span. that will keep the braces out of the water all the time.
Or you may have to put a brace on each side of the creek (just outside the water flow) to shorten the span. that will keep the braces out of the water all the time.
spltbrow
Member
you are a lot braver than me.
You are going to take your ranger across that with only one pole on the right side?
That will be real tricky in the daylight let alone in the dark with your big buck in the back.
I was assuming you were not finished and had more poles to add yet.
You can also use rebar inplace of allthread unless you are planning on bolting them together. Just drill your holes one size smaller than the rebar and drive the bar in. rebar is a little cheaper than allthread. (I also have lots of rebar availible to me so i am a fan of it)
You are going to take your ranger across that with only one pole on the right side?
That will be real tricky in the daylight let alone in the dark with your big buck in the back.
I was assuming you were not finished and had more poles to add yet.
You can also use rebar inplace of allthread unless you are planning on bolting them together. Just drill your holes one size smaller than the rebar and drive the bar in. rebar is a little cheaper than allthread. (I also have lots of rebar availible to me so i am a fan of it)
Critter
Life Member
I have a similiar bridge with only two poles. I used 5/4 decking board to cover the top attached to both poles with screws on both sides. I've had no issues taking my 6X6 or a Ranger across it. Three poles will be plenty and if you span them with treated decking on top all the way across they aren't going to move.
loess hills
New Member
Here is a bridge I built 2 years ago. its build from 2 utility poles that were 52 foor long and around 18inches diameter. They span an open area of around 38 feet with no ground support below them. I topped them with treated 2X6 screwed down into the poles. i then put 2x6 lengthways along the outside edge. i have driven the skid loader across it and 4 wheeler all the time. If you stand on it and jump up and down it has some bounce to it which is normal according to my nephew who is an enginee,r who told me they would be plenty strong for utility 4 wheeler and last for years. No problems and I have no fear driving across it at all
LYON
PMA Member
Two poles would be enough, but since you have three, I would space the center one in the middle rather than doubling it up on one side. You'll get even support side to side that way. Forget about the allthread, the 2x6's will keep your posts tied together just as well as long as you are using decent sized screws. My only suggestion would be to drive at least one post on each end on the down stream side to anchor or tie the bridge to for high water conditons, so your bridge doesn't float away.
Good luck
Good luck
now i see your plan. I thought you were just going to drive over the poles.I might have had to much jack and coke tonight.:drink2:
QUOTE]
Now that is funny Sh#@.
Central Iowa
Life Member
I am wondering about high water. I have the need for similar but have held back because the of fear of this. Water can be an amazing force and as the bridge collects debri the force will multiply. Critteer is yours in a position where this is a problem?
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AIRASSAULT
PMA Member
As far as anchoring it down for high water.. I would use something like mobile home anchors that screw into the ground like 3 or 4 feet and attach to cable.. I think the best thing you could do if you really thought you needed a strong center support is if u have access to one, get an excavator and drive two vertical poles into the ground with the bucket in the middle of the stream, one on each side of the bridge and run a support beam under the center of the bridge attaching to your vertical poles
Cooter
Active Member
No access to an excavator( I dont think you could get one back there with out some tree removal). Just my JD 4020 with a loader bucket that I used to put the poles across the span. I wish I would have taken pix of that. It was pretty cool.
I think my option is to use a post hole digger and use concrete in the hole.
I am liking the ground anchors but like C I said water has a lot of power to it. So I may do both.
I think my option is to use a post hole digger and use concrete in the hole.
I am liking the ground anchors but like C I said water has a lot of power to it. So I may do both.
NCHILLBILLY
Banned
bridge
hey man just drill some big holed in the ends of the poles and drive a piece of pipe or rebar in the hole bend it over i think a big piece of pipe with samethimg welded to the end might do the trick or you could dig 4 holes put in 4 4by 4s on each side then bolt them together want go anywhere then
hey man just drill some big holed in the ends of the poles and drive a piece of pipe or rebar in the hole bend it over i think a big piece of pipe with samethimg welded to the end might do the trick or you could dig 4 holes put in 4 4by 4s on each side then bolt them together want go anywhere then
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Critter
Life Member
Mine isn't anchored down..........it has seen high water and lived to tell the tale, but as you say "water can be an amazing force" and for that reason I would suggest anchoring it on both ends. I'm not sure the water itself would get high enough in my area to float it away, but if some deadfalls ended up building up in front of it the surface area would double or triple and probably end up pushing the bridge off the banks..........that would be a bad deal!! I'm one of those guys who likes to push the envelope though.:way:
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