Help with shed ramp ideas

[GreenTitan05]

My father in law has a push mower that he uses to cut their huge yard but lately its just been too hot for him to continue doing that at his age. We are going to build a ramp to one of their sheds that we will store a zero turn mower in so I can mow it for him when it needs cut. I've never built a ramp before so I'm looking for some simple ideas that can also handle the weight of the mower. Can yall show some pictures of yours or ideas and tips? Thank you.

 

[brycez28]

how high does the ramp need to go up?

 

[engineer2]

Here is a pretty good link: http://www.askthebuilder.com/shed-ramps/
They say no more than 3:12 for mowers. ADA guidelines dictate no more than 1:12 slope for wheelchairs. Somewhere in that range should be OK.

 

[GreenTitan05]

I'm not sure, going over today to get measurements but I'd say at least 1.5' give or take.

 

[jkwilson]

Does this need to look nice or exist with a lawn? The easiest way is to pile up gravel with fines and shape it into a ramp. Locally I use 53s. Wet it down and it will be like concrete and will outlast the mower.

If you need to build with wood, make sure to use something to give it grip. Wood is very slick and you will end up falling or find yourself unable to climb the ramp with the mower when it is damp.

 

[Heel2toe]

If you need to build with wood, make sure to use something to give it grip. Wood is very slick and you will end up falling or find yourself unable to climb the ramp with the mower when it is damp.

What is a good material to cover said wooden ramp with that'll look decent? I built a quick ramp recently for this exact purpose and youre right in that the second it gets slick its hard to get up and I need to fly in which is not the best idea although quite entertaining.

The only thing I can think of is like griptape on a skateboard but not sure if thatll last and/or look tacky?

 

[James-W]

I am going to recommend something totally different. I am sure you have seen those metal tailgates on the back of trailers that you let down and then you use it as a ramp to drive a rider mower or four-wheeler on the trailer. If you go that route then you won't have an obstacle to mow around because you can put it back up when you cut the grass. Just a thought.

 

[brycez28]

What is a good material to cover said wooden ramp with that'll look decent? I built a quick ramp recently for this exact purpose and youre right in that the second it gets slick its hard to get up and I need to fly in which is not the best idea although quite entertaining.

The only thing I can think of is like griptape on a skateboard but not sure if thatll last and/or look tacky?

You can also paint the wood. Add some dry sand to the paint and slap it on. Depending on how much sand you add, you can get a nice sandpaper like texture to something very rough.

 

[Cyberbear]

Why not just use a few bags of concrete Redi-mix with some steel wire mesh and a course broom finish ??

 

[Heel2toe]

You can also paint the wood. Add some dry sand to the paint and slap it on. Depending on how much sand you add, you can get a nice sandpaper like texture to something very rough.

Ahh now there's a good idea assuming it'll last. Whats a good durable paint for something like that? Almost seems like an epoxy type coating with traction additives like on a garage floor would be the way to go, lol

 

[Chasbec]

I am going to recommend something totally different. I am sure you have seen those metal tailgates on the back of trailers that you let down and then you use it as a ramp to drive a rider mower or four-wheeler on the trailer. If you go that route then you won't have an obstacle to mow around because you can put it back up when you cut the grass. Just a thought.

I like this idea a lot! I found this hardware which is what the enclosed cargo trailer ramps use to balance the ramp/tailgate weight. http://www.etrailer.com/Enclosed-Trailer-Parts/M-3/ERS120D81.html. They come in different lengths to suit different ramp widths. You can make the door in with whatever material you want, in whatever style you like. Just add the hinges and the cable system and you're good to go.

 

[MeanGreenZ71]

I am going to recommend something totally different. I am sure you have seen those metal tailgates on the back of trailers that you let down and then you use it as a ramp to drive a rider mower or four-wheeler on the trailer. If you go that route then you won't have an obstacle to mow around because you can put it back up when you cut the grass. Just a thought.

Expanded metal. You could fab something up with expanded metal and either some angle iron or square tubing if you decide to go this route.

Also you could add some furring strips every 6" or so to add grip to a wood ramp. They would need to be screwed down across the ramp to add any grip for traveling up into the shed.

 

[jkwilson]

What is a good material to cover said wooden ramp with that'll look decent? I built a quick ramp recently for this exact purpose and youre right in that the second it gets slick its hard to get up and I need to fly in which is not the best idea although quite entertaining.

The only thing I can think of is like griptape on a skateboard but not sure if thatll last and/or look tacky?

Many choices. Paint with sand. Grip tape with contact cement. I've seen 1/4"X1" lag screws driven into the ramp where the tires had to go, though that wouldn't help with walking as much

 

[IlliniJeeper]

I built a ramp out of GC 2x12. Ripped 4 foot lengths diagonally into triangles and decked it with 5/4 x 6 deck boards horizontally. Ended up being a ~12" rise over 48" (3:12 slope), but because the deck boards are horizontal, they end up being great for grip. I've never had an issue with grip on it.

 

[Slednut]

What about just buying some ATV ramps and store them inside the shed.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Yutr...uVlukoOdsY6xidATRrhp0aAnQ48P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Heel2toe]

^Hmmm deck boards now there's a good idea. I just used a piece of scrap plywood bc I had it kicking around but it wasnt PT or anything and been meaning to come up with a better permanent solution.

 

[GreenTitan05]

Thanks for all the input, I'll try to answer as much as I can.

-I'd like to build it with wood, just a fun project to do and work on my skills.
-The area where it goes it on gravel/dirt so we won't mow around it at all
-I'd rather not use the metal ramps that store in the shed since they also want to have a permanent one because they also use it for storage and walk up and down it with containers
-My main idea was to use deck wood and I don't need to worry about it being slick since if its raining or has rained I wouldn't cut it since the grass will just bend

 

[Skiff Builder]

I built a ramp out of GC 2x12. Ripped 4 foot lengths diagonally into triangles and decked it with 5/4 x 6 deck boards horizontally. Ended up being a ~12" rise over 48" (3:12 slope), but because the deck boards are horizontal, they end up being great for grip. I've never had an issue with grip on it.

I built over 1400 sheds using this method for the ramps. Under 4' in length used PT 4x4's spiked in with 30d nails. Decked with 5/4 or 2x6. No failures.

 

[jkwilson]

Rock is easier, faster, cheaper, longer lasting and inherently non-slip. Better in every way.

 

[D45]

Rock solid ramps.....soley for getting my riding mower in and out

 

[rieferman]

That's what I use too.

 

[mmb617]

I had a wooden ramp to one of my sheds till the yellowjackets decided to build a nest under it. After I burned it I made one out of gravel.

They got a couple shots in at me, but I made them all pay.

 

[stimpy]

mine is a simple stacked 2x12 x6' beveled the ends for the wheels and overhang 3" and have a bolt that drops thru to hold them in place , cost me $20 at the lumber yard . and I can drive my cub 128 lawn tractor up them without cracking

 

[ghlkal]

The easiest way is to pile up gravel with fines and shape it into a ramp. Locally I use 53s. Wet it down and it will be like concrete and will outlast the mower.

Sorry for the dumb question - what is 53s ?

 

[jkwilson]

Sorry for the dumb question - what is 53s ?

Mixed gravel from lime up to #5. Some places it's called road base.

 

[Slednut]

Another easy way to make a ramps is to get a piece of 5/4 OSB (1 inch thick) and add some light angle iron down the sides. Besides making the ramp rigid the angle iron adds a lip to the side so stuff won’t run off of it. You would have to prime/paint or stain the OSB to make it last. Angle iron from bed frames can be found at second hand stores.

I used ¾ plywood and aluminum angle to make this ramp.

 

[GreenTitan05]

Thanks for all the input, I started working on it yesterday but forgot to take pictures. I've gotten the hard parts done. I put a 2x6x8 plank across the shed with a 2x4 along the bottom of it to make a lip. Then I cut 6 2x4x4 pieces to use as the frame work. Before yall freak out yes this is not the 3:12 everyone ones but my father in law didn't want it 8 feet long in his yard. Anyways, I made a 30° cut on them and they sit flush on the lip with 4 screws holding them in place. Each plank is also supported by a cinder block which he used as steps for the shed before.

Saturday I'm going to finish up the last things:
-Take the angled small cut and put on the bottom of the joists to give them an angle on the ground
-Add the 2x6x8 planks across the joists
-Paint it

 

[XS29L9B]

I built a ramp out of GC 2x12. Ripped 4 foot lengths diagonally into triangles and decked it with 5/4 x 6 deck boards horizontally. Ended up being a ~12" rise over 48" (3:12 slope), but because the deck boards are horizontal, they end up being great for grip. I've never had an issue with grip on it.

That's basically what I did. Mine is about 1.5' off the ground, and the ramp is probably 7-8' long w/ deck boards on top. It's worked fine the past 15 years...