Access To A Yard With Steps

Greg Di

OK. This will be the dumb question of the week, but I'm asking it, because it's something I never thought of and I'm confronted with the following.

I need to get my mini-skid loader into a raised backyard (from the driveway) where there are 3 or 4 stone steps.

Those of you who have larger machines like skidders and such must have a method to getting around these types of things, no? For obvious reasons, I don't want to hear "we just bring in 10 yards of fill and make a temporary ramp."

I have 7' ramps for my machine for in/out trailer access, but I don't think they'd work for this. Plus, I don't want to be futzing with the narrow ramps as I'm moving 4 yards of gravel back and forth.

Any ideas?

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WarnerConstInc.

Is your only route up the steps?

neolitic

We had one with blue stone steps.
we laid landscape ties across, and
ramped over with 2X12's.
Ran a Bobcat over them.

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rbsremodeling

Plywood ramp built to fit on the steps

Back the trailer up to the steps lower the ramps and walk the machine up the steps.

old rubber tires nail to the steps walk the machine on those

double 2x12 on the steps

that's all I've done

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WarnerConstInc.

I was goint to suggest cribbing as well. Pack the steps out and use some timbers or ply on top for a ramp. Might have to go up it backwards.

tgeb

I have done this a few different ways.

Heavy planking is one option but can be slippery and some what unstable.

I have loaded a skid loader into a dump truck and backed up to retaining walls and driven out and over the wall.

But your situation where you have to make multiple trips, I would do the following.

Lay down a couple layers of heavy filter fabric over the steps, cover fabric with crushed stone (compactable like crushed run) to make a ramp about 6" thick should be enough.

When the work is completed, dig the ramp back out, salvage the stone for the next job. The steps will look just like you found them.

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

Greg Di

Thanks, guys.

The problem is that I wanted to dump the gravel in the driveway at the base of the steps and shuttle it from there.

Being that I am not a landscaper, I don't like chewing up the property except around my immediate work area.

I love when I see guys backing tandems across people's front lawns and then just leave not fixing anything. I don't understand how you can operate like that and not have angry people chasing you all the time.

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tgeb

Who said anything about tearing up lawns, or chewing up property?

And who are you referring to in the above quote that should have angry people chasing them all the time?

No one suggested anything of the sort.

There are a variety of solutions above that will each work depending upon the site conditions. And not a single one of the above recommendations will leave a trace of evidence that you have been there, if done properly.

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

Greg Di

No...not you guys....

I have seen some remodelers, gc's, masons, siders, roofers, etc just destroy people's property in the name of getting the contracted job done and just leave the warzone behind for the HO to deal with.

I think I didn't type it right.

You guys suggested the "right" way. Which was what I was looking for. The "easy" way would be for me to have a dumptruck go over the front lawn and flower beds and dump the gravel close.

Sorry for the confusion...

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tgeb

I understand, I have made general comments like that as well.

And I have seen the same behavior also and simply shake my head and wonder how some guys can (A) get away with it, and (B) sleep at night.

When your post came directly behind mine, I took it personally which I normally would not, I am a little edgy today, must be this week of rain.

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Tom

www.gebcon.com

rbsremodeling

Yeah the rain is killing me here too. I actually have a job that I can't start because of the down pour. sucks

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JDavis21835

So how far do you need to move this gravel? Is it possible that you could use a stone slinger? That way you dont have to worry about climbing steps, and running across the lawn.

wellbuilthome

[quote=Greg Di;673244]OK. This will be the dumb question of the week, but I'm asking it, because it's something I never thought of and I'm confronted with the following.

I need to get my mini-skid loader into a raised backyard (from the driveway) where there are 3 or 4 stone steps.

Those of you who have larger machines like skidders and such must have a method to getting around these types of things, no? For obvious reasons, I don't want to hear "we just bring in 10 yards of fill and make a temporary ramp."

I have 7' ramps for my machine for in/out trailer access, but I don't think they'd work for this. Plus, I don't want to be futzing with the narrow ramps as I'm moving 4 yards of gravel back and forth.

Any ideas?[/quote
hi Greg , give raia concrete a call they can give you 4 yards of gravel in a mixer . Just have them load your bucket on top of the wall like its a wheel barrel no mess .
The run of the stairs cant be much 40"+- back your trailer up to the wall and just use some fur planks to drive off the trailer onto the top of the stair . Or you could build a ramp out of wood from the ground and back the skid up into the yard . My trailer ramps fold down from the rear and i can jump a 6'wall . I have walked a bobcat MT skid up 3 or 4 stairs . I put blocks of wood on the steps and lifted with the bucket . If you can keep from hitting the frame of the machine the skid will drive up the stairs on the rubber tracks . On the way down drive out over the stair to balance the machine in the center then stack blocks under the bucket and lower your self down , dont let the front of the frame dig into the drive way .