$200 DIY Heavy Duty Bridge

[@ThisTall]

How the heck can somebody want to pick this apart? They’re 100% humble and upfront about their claims the whole way through. It’s a back yard bridge that’s built for 6000lb if you look up the post rating and has a far FAR liter machine rolling across it 10x in the video with ZERO flex or sign of load showing whatsoever. By what standards do ppl claim this isn’t good enough for what THEY are using it for?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Kermit thank you we appreciate the nice comment. We wish more people would understand that we built the bridge for our needs, not anyone else’s and it works flawlessly.

[@pandnh4]

Because most people who feel like they must say something are usually dicks

[@calic3538]

with the span of that wood...would be more like 10--12 thousand pounds. only major flaw is not getting the post below the frost line..that's only if this is a colder climate

[@steveg1667]

Probably Tesla drivers angry that they didn't install a charging station.

[@believeitlandscapemaintena7636]

@@steveg1667 Lol Is the wood rot resistant or pressure treated?

[@Johannes00]

You can think of the negative comments as your very own special bridge trolls! Haha! :o)

[@tonysimmons5953]

Stumbling upon this comment enriched my day!

[@AsianRedneck239]

You sly fox

[@killkrazy9913]

2023 this comment deserves more likes haha

[@AnthonyLeighDunstan]

Surprised this comment didn’t get more attention 😂

[@chartliner]

I am rebuilding a 20 ft. bridge now because it rotted on top, the planks did not have spaces (another bridge video used 1/2 inch spaces) that could be pressure washed so rotted leaves got in between and promoted rot and also it had dirt touching it at the end so that caused rot to start at the ends of the planks which ran lengthwise, so it is better to use crushed gravel at the ends so wet dirt won't cause rot where it touches the planks.

[@marckrevo1970]

So how did you install the posts in the actual creek? How were you able to dig out when there was actual water in the creek?

[@stonephillips7535]

Any update on the condition of the bridge? I’ve been thinking about a bridge like this, my main concern is where the dirt and wood meet. Do you not have rot issues with that?

[@ImplantedMemories]

After 5-10 years he will see some problems. 20 years should be a rebuild. If you want to make the bridge last forever. Use galvanized steel for the earth contact parts. And paint the wood parts every 5 years with decent products. I have a 54 years old Wood bridge on my land.

[@Day12My]

@@ImplantedMemories I think the point of this was building it at low cost. Of course you can build a better, longer lasting bridge but not everyone can afford it. If I get 20 years out of a bridge that cost $200 -$300 I feel it would have been WELL worth it.

[@linzierogers5024]

Was there any problem putting the posts in the creek?

[@ReyReyloads]

You skipped over how you set the posts in the water.

[@overlandingtundrak9833]

I like this bridge. Good job. I only want to ask is it still standing?? After 3 years???

[@navarrobedoya]

Great Video. Can you please show how you make it in the middle? The part that is in the water.

[@MikeD-lo9yb]

Cool bridge man, and I must admit I only made it to 5 mins. All I would add is to add some running boards perpendicular to your 6x2 decking, where your wheel tracks would be. This would transfer the weight onto of the vehicle onto 2 or 3 or 4 of the 6x2s, and help stop them flexing (in much the same way as the edge board did). I'm no builder or engineer but I believe with decking or flooring there is normally 3 layers; bearers (your 12x2), joists( your 6x2), decking( your edge board)

[@PurpelIsTripping]

Would this design of bridge work in a faster flowing river

[@PaulLadendorf]

Nice work. One thing I would do is put 4x4's on top of each end of the decking as bumpers to keep vehicles from going over the edge.

[@jeffbowler3632]

This is a good "Temporary Bridge"; That's the nicest thing anyone can honestly say.

[@DaveWillison13]

This looks great and I'd like to try this at home. I'm wondering how you got the posts into the middle of the creek (where the water is). Did you just dig and fill with cement while the creek was running?

[@jesussantillan898]

😂

[@pamelaka7681]

Built this last summer.Excellent instructions. Unfortunately with Covid price was closer to 2000.00.

[@roostercogburn3771]

Thanks for the bridge building class! I built my bridge, which is equivalent to that, much cheaper. A neighbor up the creek had a I-beam which was too big for him. So we cut it in half and loaded it on a trailer, then brought it home. I got 2 rail-road ties. My creek was a few feet wide and a few feet below. Maybe about an 11 foot span. Cut a couple trees on each side, (or syde for our Blimey buds). I dug behind the stumps and placed the rail-road ties behind the stumps where I dug it out. Then did the same on the other side, on the bank. Then hooked a chain to my Oliver 70 and launched the I-beams across the creek and adjusted them on the stumps and ties. Then filled with dirt up to the beams. Used the bridge for a long time! A couple lustrums and a heptad. Over 45 years, maybe 50, never painted and still usable! Plus held up to some major floods, to include the 1993 mid-west floods! In all those years, only one person ever messed up when driving across the beams. And the beams held every load, to include cords of wood. Not bad, for under a tenth of Mr. Brunk's price. It pays to have good buddies! Take care and have a good & Godly day!

[@deborahyahysrael5033]

Wow. I would like to know more on how you did this or see pics.

[@itptires]

You can't brag about the cost when it was done 50 years ago. A tenth of the cost wouldn't hardly buy you a 2x4x16 these days. And getting stuff for free only works for you not everyones neighbor has a free giant I beam

[@pacodefrancis7235]

Do you reckon if you use 6x6 with this design instead of the 4x it will hold up to 4-5 ton?

[@bradleyj.fortner2203]

I think it's cool as hell. How's it holding up 5 years later?

[@fishingwithtimmy]

Oh what's that? You like my bridge? Great intro...I watched that 5 times.

[@ustaarthur]

Why not use 6x6 posts under the bridge. 4x4 seems small for a bridge that has vehicle going across - even though it probably will not be an issue as demonstrated by the tractor going across.

[@marymary4868]

it must be grand to build such a structure straight forward neat and true - even if it's on some old bush road out towards the back of the property and seldom used. fine job.

[@BeardedPharaoh43]

Ty for not over complicating the DIY.

[@oldphart-zc3jz]

If you want to use it with trucks put those side rails IN THE MIDDLE WWII style where they give immediate contact with misaimed wheels and can keep them centered. Every expedient bridging method has been done over thousands of years of military civil engineering. It's fun and worth a look.

[@Zickafoose2024]

How did you set the posts in the creek?

[@markcourtney]

There’s a shot in the video about 7:20.

[@joshrosa8164]

That is awesome! How did we do anything before youtube? Great job guys!

[@MrTaps1234]

Thank you. For the video. Maybe missed the part. How did you put the poles in the water so concrete dries?

[@itptires]

Concrete cures underwater just fine you just have to make sure not to wash away the cement which is the fine powdery portion of concrete

[@kylekitchen5152]

Nice job. Works well. Just out of curiosity, what model John Deere is that? I have one similar, but can't tell if it's the same. Mine weighs 3400 lbs.

[@sticks7971]

How long will they last when flooded several times a year?

[@enchantedmountain5354]

I really like your tractor 🚜

[@jayesh5131]

That's why I clicked 🙈

[@WesternNyBigfoot]

How didnyou set and concrete the 2 in the water?

[@threetreesfarm]

I have 2 ravines on my property, this was helpful, since I have to cross one of them to get to the garden

[@boriscousin8391]

Did they mention what type of wood they used for this project???

[@cfrahmy8008]

Howd this hold up through floods?

[@sherischneider2672]

The best idea I have seen for this is to use the frame of an old semi trailer flatbed.

[@jenniferscott3176]

$200 man I miss those good old day prices would probably cost me $1200 in today's pricing

[@TheYamahog12]

Easily. Oh, plus you gotta buy a tractor if you don’t have one.

[@pakozak4123]

Doing this bridge right now, 800 on wood 100 on bolts etc..Hope I get this right!

[@Zzus321]

Fact!!!

[@kapperoutdoors]

awesome man, thanks! A bridge is on my list for our new lake project to cross a new channel I just dug! thanks for sharing.

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Kapper Outdoors glad we could help!

[@tummypen99]

Kapper Outdoors j

[@SithLord2066]

Bridge is too low, there's no way I can pass my yacht under it. Thumbs down!

[@g.r7255]

Oh come on! that yacht only draws an inch anyway.

[@dougnutter8452]

Maybe you should consider a draw bridge to go with your yacht!

[@ernestlmorellsr]

... Hahaha, yeah, water under the bridge...

[@alexandra.willitts6988]

Sith Lord, If you can't get an RC yacht underneath that bridge you got problems..........HHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAA......(8^P

[@faraz007]

But your submarine can...

[@gauthy]

Very nicely done. I want to build one similar

[@bradleybunt6556]

Bad ass man, I would definatly put in another 4x4 post for support, even long term look into upgrading to synthetic post because the water rot is real...

[@6013kmb]

I volunteer at my local snowmobile club and we use telephone poles that can handle a 10 ton groomer. I'm sure your 2X12 will handle a truck. Nice job

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Ken Bearce thanks!

[@farmordie3485]

That sir is now about a $4,000 dollar bridge due to the current costs of building supplies . 😂

[@ktthao5224]

😂

[@MLGtroll365]

😂😂

[@TommyK0180]

I clicked on this video just to look for this comment

[@countryboycharlie9793]

Put runners were u drive 1 by 12 and off set them the way we us to build for county Rd makes it a lot stronger.. u did a great job👍

[@BrunkOutdoors]

charlie knight thanks!

[@overlandingtundrak9833]

Is the bridge still standing after 3 years??

[@Nimatodes]

Nice video! Only recommendation I have is to place stick-on flashing on top of the joists and wherever else there's wood-to-wood contact to help them last longer. It's like a $10 cost and will extend the life of your bridge.

[@michaelfordjr.9289]

This is the EXACT bridge I have been thinking of building! Thank you so much for sharing it! 1 question.. How did you put the center support 4x4s into the creek? Did you drive them down as far as possible or did you block off the creek for some time and concrete them in??

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Michael Ford Jr. glad we could help! We just post hole dug them as far down as we could down to rock and poured concrete into the hole, never diverged the creek. Seemed to work fine!

[@lsebuharara]

@@BrunkOutdoors pardon my ignorance, as i've never built something like this. so you had no problems with the whole filling back up with mud as you dug? i envision the water just washing more dirt into the hole as you're digging, no?

[@DavidSmith-lp5tz]

That creek doesn’t appear to be flowing. I have the same question about how to dig post holes in a running creek. I think I’m going to use an excavator to dig the hole and concrete tubes with rebar to block off the water while I pour in the concrete. I have about a 40’ span and need a brace in the middle to keep the utility poles from bowing.

[@10acreplayground71]

This is great thank you for the ideas. We have a much smaller creek to cross, but im sure we can use a lot of your idea's to help just get it done.

[@ericblabla9655]

Thanks for the ideas ! But 1 thing I'm not sure , How do you do the holes in the water ( creek ) ? And how does the cement stick when its under water ? And the 4X4 under water will rotten , no ?

[@itptires]

All of the 4x4s in the ground will rot. Even pressure treated will only last a decade or so

[@dobson777a]

Great job I would have used 6 by 6 post supports in the middle of the bridge though.

[@johnnorris9874]

that's what I was thinking...or at least a 4x6

[@philthelawnman]

You learn as you go. Good enough for farm work and better than 30% of the bridges in the world.

[@BrunkOutdoors]

ROYAL LAWN CARE that’s what we think, it’ll last plenty long enough for us. And if it needs fixing, we will take some time to repair. Thanks for the comment!

[@therock8224]

@@BrunkOutdoors Looks about what I need, I have two creeks on my property, they are about the same width and depth below the ground as yours. However, I live in the tropics, we have a very dry dry season that lasts for 6 months and a very wet wet season that lasts for 4 months. Not sure how long wood would last under these conditions...torrential rain for weeks on end doesn't bode well for timber. How much rain do you get where you guys are?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

The Rock we get steady rain every few days in the spring but the summer gets really dry. The bridge is pretty wet though all winter under snow that melts and re freezes

[@therock8224]

@@BrunkOutdoors How many years do you think it will last?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

The Rock I’m not sure how it would fair. We use green treated wood to help the weather elements. Where we are the weather went from snow and -40 to 60 degrees last weekend. Spring has snow run off and brings some rain, summer is usually pretty dry with some rain if we are lucky. And fall either brings rain or snow. The only thing we would worry about is trees flowing through the creek nocking it out. We know this bridge won’t last forever, so you’ll just want to be prepared if in 5-10 years it may go out . I think it would work well for you, you may want to modify the idea using other videos that look like it is in your area.

[@mailmannb7970]

What's the distance from end to end?

[@ricardogmz5646]

I did never see how you’ll sat the collums on the middle, I’m working on my property building I bridge, that’s 30’ feet , the leand is really soft, I got about 15 poust sat up already, I’m working on the beems , as soon I get those done I will go to star witch the last step witch is 2”x6”c10”all of treading wood’ it’s going to taking me a long time to get it done but I’m sure I will get it done, and it’s going to look pretty when I’m finished.

[@lordsandwich2309]

Great work. My concern is that since the two 2×4s are in the water they might rot a bit too quickly. Hope I'm wrong.

[@Day12My]

You mean 4X4's

[@chrisneal7567]

Thanks for this video. Definitely what we need to get ATV's & tractors across a creek on our land. What size are the bolts use on the main beams & the 4×4 supports?

[@MrAds8525]

So it has been a few years now. I am curious how the bridge has held up. I need to build one for a crossing and was going to use ideas from your design. How well did the posts in the creek hold up?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Joseph Brown we actually sold that property so we can’t comment on how it is right now but it did well for as long as we had it.

[@MrAds8525]

@@BrunkOutdoors how long did you have it after building it?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Joseph Brown it was around 1.5 years, it was holding up really well despite what all these other people were commenting lol I wish we could go back to see how well it actually held up over the years. But I’m betting it’s still good

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Joseph Brown around a year

[@MrAds8525]

Ty

[@loyaltyparker.1659]

Great idea! Thank you..

[@daveraymondCA]

How did you get those middle beems in the creek?

[@booobtooober]

Looks Good! The formula for joist load limits is very convoluted. So the back of napkin layman's math has the safe limit for a #2 pine 2"x 12" with 8' span at a little over 1000 lbs evenly distributed. So there are 4 joist or 4000 lbs working capacity per span but that doesn't mean it will break @ 4100 lbs. No the breaking point is something like 8000 lbs. Of course that will vary depending with species, southern yellow pine, hemlock, fir, spruce, how wet/saturated, knots, etc Deere specs a 3038E at 2222 lbs, add front scoop, rear box scraper, and about 1000 lbs of dirt in the scoop and your bumping up to 4000 lbs or 2000 lbs per axle. The weight is not even but still fairly well distributed with 62.8 inch wheel base so that when all 4 wheels are on the same 8' span both axles are near the supports effectively spreading the load. But when either axle is near the center of a span the other axle is either off the bridge or on the adjacent span so there's only 2000 lbs on the span at the highest stress point. I definitely believe the weak spot is the center supports, and imho will degrade and fail far before anything else. At that point I would consider replacing them with tubes filled with cement to about midway between the water and 2" x 12"s.

[@joelonderee2872]

Excellent video. We had a pro build a 20' bridge across our creek, and it is basically the same construction you used. Thanks!

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Joe Londeree thanks for the feedback!

[@15packman]

Awesome job!

[@andrew3633]

How far down did you dig for the 4x4 posts? I know you dug until you hit rock (cause it's an old creek bed), but about how far would you say it is. I've dug holes around my neighborhood that were atleast 6 feet deep (& could've gone farther), so I don't have the benefit of having a rock foundation. What would you say would be a good depth to dig to? I would say 6 feet is a bit too much for a post.

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Andrew Horowitz it’s hard to say for sure, I would say 4 ft is plenty and seems to be what we use in situations like you’re describing whenever we build things like decs or docs. We have never tried it on a bridge in that situation but I would think it would be okay

[@delk43]

I would also suggest adding a layer of gravel (1-2 ft deep depending on how frequently you'll be taking heavy equipment or vehicles over it) at the bottom of the hole to help minimize uneven settling over time. Tamp it in as good as you can a little at a time and it'll be rock solid to support the 4x4s.

[@ElReginator]

How did you form the supports in the water? I saw the supports on either side of the water, but it skipped the supports in the middle.

[@TeamRinaldi3]

Not exactly how I would do it, but a lot of great ideas that I'm going to incorporate into mine. Good work!

[@BrunkOutdoors]

TeamRinaldi3 thanks glad you liked it!

[@Rcskaliks]

you guys didn't show how you did the middle beams .... those are the ones i was curious about..

[@ezrakidega3493]

Amazing...thanks for the show. But how did u reinforce the poles under the water

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Ezra Kidega just dug down to the rock layer and poured concrete mix in the hole

[@markcourtney]

There’s a shot in the video about 7:20.

[@neno56527]

hi man, i need an advice , im a owner of a farming land, my farm is surrounded by other farms and all of them need some access to road but there is a problem. Right next to my farm land there is a bridge , the only way for the farmers to get across the bridge is to transpass across my land, they made a rode on my land and they dont even know that this road is private. What should i do in this situation , i was thinking of destroying this bridge which is the same size as the one on the video but its made from concrid? I just dont want them to know that i destroyed the bridge because when i plant something on my land they might burn the crops. I think i will be waiting for a earth quake so that they will think that the bridge fell from the earth quake, i think its a crazy idea? what do you think?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

You should definitely contact the local law enforcement and let them figure it out

[@snowbird29803]

Pretty nice for "trial and error." And looks like a lot more fun than building a Grand piano.

[@cutweldngrind]

I was going to do the same but decided to fill the creek in and was doing good till last week. I know have a 5 ft wide by 4 ft deep chunk of dirt missing. I am getting ready yo place some culverts in there.

[@oby-1607]

If the bridge breaks and they fall into the creek, they will build it better. Never depend on bolts. Load path should always be to ground. Hope it lasts.

[@dr4109]

That would be a pretty good atv bridge. 👍

[@CherylCold]

I like it. Thanks for the insight. Need to build across a small creak to my woodland for garden house and extra garage. I'm cheap haha

[@danoneill2846]

the 2X12 should be on a shelf .. not held by bolts only ... should be 6x6 .... my 1500 chevy is 4000 lbs . That is OK for light duty ONLY

[@bellyache4860]

Nice one fellas! Simple design and functional. I thought it would be cool to fell a few trees and use logs on mine. Wish I watched this first :)

[@andrew3633]

I want to make a little bridge like this 1. I'm curious why you cut the 4x4's only 11 inches above the cross member & not 12 inches. I don't know much about making bridges. I just want some input for when I make mine.

[@BrunkOutdoors]

Andrew Horowitz that was just to make sure we had room for error to make sure they weren't sticking up blocking the platform. When you are using a chainsaw it is easy to make mistakes lol

[@scnomad3626]

Andrew Horowitz a 2 by 12 is 11-1/4” tall.

[@SerenaAlonzi]

I like your bridge

[@briannanicole6395]

How many pounds can it hold.. Pretty cool.

[@itptires]

I have a similar tractor, with dirt in the bucket, that box grader your pushing about 4,000 pounds

[@g.r7255]

you did not mention if the lumber was pressure treated, but I surmise it was. Did you consider 5/4 instead of the 2 x 6?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

G. R it was pressure treated. We definitely wouldn’t want any small boards then the 2 x 6

[@goodboyringo9716]

I don't see how the post in the water will last any time .

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Its amazing the power of a creek in flood. Trespassers built a bridge looking much like this one on my farm. I was annoyed until I saw the wreckage stacked up downstream.... Even my granddads 200 lb each railroad tie farm bridges met that same fate. They must have weighed at least a couple tons chained together and anchored. Not a sign of them left...

[@lykaojalao2733]

I just bought my house and there is a creek which the previous owner used a Culver. The culver is a little bite rusty. I plan to replace it with a new one. I came across your video and I love it. I plan to build with stronger support and better materials. My question is: Is it legal to build one in my property? My property is a homestead property.

[@BrunkOutdoors]

lykao jalao I am not sure about the particular laws on it, you’ll want to search to find the laws to be sure

[@mrjodoe]

good work...but stainless? At least the middle posts from 316 because of 100% water time.

[@GolightlyAnimations]

Nice bridge design! It worked great!

[@dgb5820]

Looks awesome and very simple and easy to understand, great video

[@anthonywhitehead9660]

It would be a bit more secure if you had notched your posts or set your cross 4x4's right on top of your uprigts.... because essentially all that holds your bridge up is the bolts. But lots of things got built this way so it'll probably last.

[@juliecallaghan8592]

Your spot on mate ..with cutting shoulders ..your not dependent on sheer of bolts holding everything up ..but the shoulder carrying the weight..

[@joeearley3351]

The power of water is what you have to worry about. When it rains it pours. My wet weather Creek gets about 5 feet or more high and it is powerful.

[@theweekendhomestead]

I have been looking for ideas for a bridge thanks

[@PhillipCarswell]

Good job, just what I needed; I have a stream that need to traverse. This is perfect. Thanks for sharing

[@BrianPhillipsRC]

Awesome bridge!

[@ThisTall]

I’ve driven 10 ton Gyro’s across bridges built worse then this 5-10x with 2 logs on each side. They say 4-5x they only need it for quads and stuff, then test it with a tractor weighing 3x more then a quad, with posts rated for 3x more then that with ZERO flex. Anyone picking this thing apart should be ignored by everyone in their lives.

[@fredgates5016]

Nice job.

[@dbcopper10]

I had one. Washed away in 5" rainfall. Rebuilt it. Washed away again same year. I think I'm done with that.

[@cindyskillman544]

Thanks bunches! Very entertaining! 😂 We don't need that much bridge, but it's really helpful to see what ya'll did there! 🥰

[@radroofer]

Not only did I sub but I also rung you bell.

[@garymccarver5006]

Excellent job. You'll get many years of trouble free service out of it. Built to last.

[@TF856]

It would be even nicer if you put down runners for the tires to roll on that would make it smooth like they do on most wooden bridges of the past. You could also save money by making the frame of that from trees that you harvest off your property.

[@NeedsMoreToys]

Good job guys

[@stanroberts4820]

Great job, and cheaper than a culvert setup.

[@zedwpd]

Add runners. Insurance in case any individual cross board ever fails. Place the cross anchors high enough not to lay in the ground it will last forever.

[@ryanblake365]

Can you describe what runners are for the “non construction layman terms” guys like me? Haha

[@asapcarpetcleaning4242]

I don't understand how you set the post in the middle where the water is?

[@BrunkOutdoors]

ASAP CARPET CLEANING the same way we did the other ones, just used a post hole digger in the water