Don't know how thick would be safe....I do know a guy who used a 6x6 truck to move a house across a frozen lake up near the International Falls area.
Speaking of old military vehicles....the same guy knew of an M7 snow tractor that is/was on an island in the same area. (Allis Chalmers and Jeep merged to make a small half tracked tractor) Seems the Corp of Engineers left it there many years back. He would have retrieved it except it was near a dam where the ice was unpredictable in winter and the shorelines so rocky as to prevent moving it in summer.
say 28 to 36 inches I think I heard.
I would drive across 6 inches if it wasn't too deep. 8 inches would be better.
My guess?????
Jeff
The Old Farmers Almanac ice chart calls for 12 inches for an 8 ton truck--15 inches for a 10 ton truck
You might want to reach out to KingofObsolete. He's mighty used to freighting up there in "Da Great White Nort." If anybody has the experience, he's the man.
I'd be less concerened about crossing the lake than crossing the river. Moving water = thin ice. It's not like doing it on a snowmobile either, where you can stay on top if you have enough speed (water cross).
Here is the King's website!!
http://www.kingofobsolete.ca/
Be sure to tell him thansk!! 👋
Yup, the King even shows you how to retrieve it if things go wrong...👋
Thanks gentlemen for the replies. I think I should be ok with 12" of good black ice. Have travelled on the ice road in the James Bay area between Moosonee and Moose Factory with a 5 ton line truck before and the ice there was 24". Found this out as they had to have this much ice in order to bring the fuel truck over to fuel the houses and schools, etc. Have looked at "King of Obsolute" web page but don't see his e-mail address.
The Kings email address is about half-way down the first page on his website. Scroll down to see it beside the books.
http://www.kingofobsolete.ca/