How much load can a 48" (wood) board support if it is supported in middle, but unsupported for 6 inches at ends? It is for a 600 lb mower that must go over a wooden bridge we will are adding width to. The tires of the mower are 45" wide. Could we use 1 x 6" pressure treated decking? The weight is more on the back 2 tires. The 600 lbs includes the person on the mower. Can we get away with 1" X 6"?
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1How thick and how wide are the planks?– mmathisCommented Apr 19, 2017 at 15:42
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I'm not sure I understand the layout. Are there 3 supports across the bridge? If so, it seems like the maximum span is about 15". (48" board with half on one side, minus 6" overhang, minus width of out-board support...say 2", minus one-half of middle support, or about 1"....thus: 24" - 6" - 2" - 1" = 15" ) The shortest span my tables go down to is 3' and a 2x will support about 460 lbs. per square foot. The unsupported overhang is minimal and will support the load too. (1x material would probably work, but I wouldn't use it because the main load is on the cantilever portion of each board and– Lee SamCommented Apr 20, 2017 at 5:30
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Of each board and pressure treating the lumber actually weakens the boards. )– Lee SamCommented Apr 20, 2017 at 5:31
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1 Answer
Assuming reasonably equal weight distribution, each wheel of a 600 lb. mower and a 200 lb person would carry 200 lbs. Any 2x4 or wider SPF lumber that's reasonably free from large knots will suffice.
The actual calculations are difficult due to the unknown weight distribution (front/rear, tire width, tire pressure, etc.), but experience tells me that you certainly will not break 2x4 or 2x6 (or larger) lumber in that application, especially if you were to run a sleeper under the ends to tie the boards together and distribute load. I consider that overkill, though, and I'd only bother to do it if you see substantial flex in the individual boards as you roll over them.
answered Apr 19, 2017 at 16:22
