[GribinIsaf]

I am in the process of making access into a field from a track.  The level of the track is about four or five feet below the level of the field - a sunken lane.  To make the access I imagine a cutting made into the field so there is a manageable gradient.  My question is what gradient would you recommend?  This is for a 4x4 and trailer - I should imagine we will put some kind of hardcore down in time but in the meantime (ie to get the weaners off site) we might just be using the natural clay surface.

[Creagan]

The surface will make a big difference, as will the ability to take a bit of a run up- will you be able to have the 4x4/trailer parked on the flat and then gun it up the 'ramp'?
For rough numbers, a very very steep public road can be 1:6 (bear in mind that's a tarred surface so much easier to do a hill start on) and 1:10 is considered acceptable for normal use such as driveways.

[GribinIsaf]

Thanks for your thoughts Creagan.  I had come across the 1:10 figure elsewhere.  I am going to do some measuring out and see what that looks like.