How to move the impossible rock

[Rice Rider]

In the quest of creating a level building site for my new shop I came across a mammoth rock that most likely weighs 2 or three times more than my tractor. It measures about 9' x 8' and was from 30" to 40" thick depending on the end you were looking at. It was about 6 foot higher than grade and it had to come down and be removed due to our local code that has a 15 foot setback. I under cut the dirt and rock beneath it about 4 feet and then built up an earth ramp along the side of it. I broke it free by pulling the outside corner of the stone and it slid down the slope into the under cut area. I rented a hammer drill and a 1.5 inch, 24 long bit. After drilling 11 holes around 21 inches deep, I mixed up some Dexpan, http://www.dexpan.com/nonexplosivesblastingdemolition/product_dexpandemolitionagent.html[/URL] filled the holes in the late afternoon. When I got up the next morning I now had three big rocks that were still very large, but manageable enough to drag into position to be used for the retaining wall. I'll take some photos next week-end before moving them across the pad site.

 

[radioman]

Any pictures!!?? how much was the dexpan ?

 

[wedge40]

Can't wait to see the photos. Hope you have before and after shots. I wonder if hydraulic cement would do the same as the dexpan. I've seen this stuff before and would love to watch it work. Anybody care to guess the weight of this "stone".



Wedge

 

[alltoys]

I too have monster rocks to be moved and my little Montana is smaller than these behemoths. How hard was it to drill the holes in the Rock?

 

[Rice Rider]

The Dexpan was just at a hundred bucks. There are 4-11 pound bags in each case. I figure that each bag makes enough to fill 220"s of 1.5 inch hole. I used a rental Whacker hammer drill with a 24 inch long 1.5 inch bit. My only problem with drilling was to keep the drill at the same angle as the hole I was drilling. When the rock came down the hill it came to rest at about a 45 degree angle so I had to stand at an angle in order to keep the drill straight. If the drill binds, it could easily rotate around and break your ribs etc. It is important to get as much rock dust out of the holes so the Dexpan can work correctly. I used a shop vac with some one inch hose taped to the larger 2.5 inch shop vac hose and it worked wel. My generator provided me with power in this remote location. It took about 3.5 - 4 hours to drill the holes and it was not hard as long as you can keep the bit centered in the hole.

 

[LBrown59]

I'll take some photos next week-end before moving them across the pad site.

Any pictures!!??

......

 

[Rice Rider]

The pictures will have to wait till next Monday as I am over 250 miles from my property and only get to play on most week-ends. If you want to see what Dexpan will do to rocks even bigger than mine, go to their site and check it out.

 

[newbury]

Controlled Demolition, Selective Demolition, Concrete Demolition by Dexpan Non Explosive Controlled Demolition Agent .

linky

 

[Cat_Driver]

You can buy wedges. Drill holes pound in a wedge and the rock will break in half. Then break that in half etc.


Hand Drilling and Breaking Rock, 8423-2602-MTDC, Breaking Rock

Feathers & Wedges (Pieces and Sets) - Feathers & Wedges

 

[2manyrocks]

This was exciting until I read the "nonexplosive part" and that kind of ruined it for me.