rock removal ideas?

[RobS]

I had a bizarre episode with humidity just the other day and it was even tractor related. We had some unusually dry/cool weather for several days. My tractor is in the garage and all that iron got nicely cooled down and tends to stay that way if it's not running. I walked by the tractor one day and saw a puddle on the floor. Of course, I was quick to check it out. Seemed like water, but where was it coming from? When I looked closer, all the heavier portions of the tractor (axle housing, transmisison, engine etc.) were sweating. Turns out our humidity jumped back up to where it normally is and caught my still cold tractor by surprise. Sure had me worried for a second [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[dmccarty]

Gerard,

As always TBN is right on top of things. I was working on the property last night sawing up timber slash into small pieces that I can move and pile easily with the tractor. I knew the property had lots of rock but WOW we have lots of rocks in this pasture to be! HOW am I going to get grass to grow in here? I have lots of onions for some reason..... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

There is a old diary farm that is on side of the development and he has some gorgeous pasture. But I guess he has been building that pasture for a couple of generations. At least I KNOW it can be done..... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I talked to a 90+ year old farmer in a different part of the county, about 15 miles from my place, a few years ago. He mentioned in passing that him and his brother spent alot of time picking rocks out of the field and throwing 'em into a wagon..... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif[/img]

My current thinking on this problem is to use the box blade or maybe a real tight rake across the land to get the rocks. Either way I"m sure to get lots of soil, which I have precious little, so I have to find a way to recover the dirt. The only thing I can think of at this point, and I'm REALLY trying to stay away from the 5 gallon bucket technique, is to use the box blade/rake and get things into piles. Then I'll build a "table" out of 6x6's and 2x6's to support different size fencing. The fence would be the table top. I would move the "table" from pile to pile, hopefully with the tractor, and carefully drop piles of dirt/rock onto the "table" to screen out the rock. I guess this would work. Its going to be work but it seems easier than toting a five gallon bucket..... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I have seen a rock picker tractor attachment but I remember it being very expensive.

There has to be a better way! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img] I just wish I could find it. I got lots of rock.....

Later...
Dan McCarty

[RobS]

Dan, I doubt you'll have much luck with a box blade for picking rocks. I was moving some dirt with mine this weekend and found a few rocks as well. If the rocks are almost all on the surface, the box will grab them, but if they are in the usual, partially submerged position the box just bounces up and over them. Same with the rake. I'm back to picking them up by hand and tossing into the loader bucket [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Bird]

Rob, I had the same thing happen to my tractor recently; even the rubber tires were wet sitting in shop.

Bird

[MJB]

It will not help much for picking up rocks... but if you have some big ones to carry everyone should have one of these.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]


Fugitive from the Cubicle Police

[skent]

Last week I could see how full the rears were filled to on my Case DC. Sweating like crazy on the lower half - dry on the top.

Steve

[Harv]

YIKES, MJB! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

I'll bet besides the obvious damage, the driver's seat needs some hosing off, too! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[DVerbarg]

Never used one myself but have seen a "rock picker" which looks as if it just a specialized bucket. Only picks rocks 2" and larger. This is the link to the manufacturer (they also make a great snowblower, love mine!)

http://www.loftness.com/rockpicker/index.htm

They also have an attachment for an existing bucket. Made for skidloaders but someone on this board will probably step up to the challenge...

http://www.loftness.com/pik_tach.htm

DaveV

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by dverbarg on 05/09/01 10:31 AM (server time).</FONT></P>

[MJB]

Harv,
I don't think you can call AAA to come fix that unit either.[img]/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif[/img]


Fugitive from the Cubicle Police

[Kerry]

Gerard, Gudday mate, sorry couldn't resist that.As to rock removal,well even in Oz it's the same method.ouch,my aching back!, maybe you can get some helpers by enticing them with food and drinks to give you a hand?,apart from that it would seem it's the same the world over. Good luck with it anyhow.My daughter would like to know what type of horses you have as she is a budding young horsewoman,Oh well kids and horses but that's another story. Kerry.