Best ways to move rocks/boulders

Scotty Dive · Jul 11, 2011

I want to start building a retaining wall...we have no shortage of good size boulders here in CT.

The retaining wall will be on the downslope of a 45 degree hill..or up slope depending how you look at it :laughing::laughing:

Some of these rocks won't fit into the bucket and I am not sure my curl could lift them anyway. So...what is a good way to drag them or get them to where I want them. I was thinking of picking them up via chain but am nervous having them sway and damaging the tractor and blalancing too. I could chain and drag them from the backside of the tractor but then I would be backing down the hill and dragging the rocks backwards.

Any ideas?

Brake Weight · Jul 11, 2011

Can you roll them ahead of you with the bucket?

Scotty Dive · Jul 11, 2011

I could but I am still learning to use the loader and if one of these boulders starts to roll....there is no stopping it untill it hits a tree or ends up in the middle of my pond. The hill is about 40 - 45 degree...its pretty aggressive. In the picture the wall will be on the right side about a third of the way down

California · Jul 11, 2011

Gorgeous photo! You have a beautiful place.

I don't have much to add. My only suggestion is I've seen a poster recommend a small automobile hood as a sled for rocks.

284 International · Jul 11, 2011

Could you simply build a dirt berm with your loader in front of the pond and any trees you don't want bashed, then just push the rocks down the hill and let them roll? The berm would catch them if they go too far, then you don't have to worry about driving your tractor up and down what looks like a really steep grade, trying to horse heavy boulders around.

acme97 · Jul 11, 2011

Could you use block and tackle so that you could be pulling up the hill as the rock slides down toward you lower point? That way you would not be in front of the rock if it did roll. Also, you could create a temp stop with a log across the bottom, braced from behind just in case of a roll away rock. That should prevent from going into pond. Then whe you were finished, just move the logs out of the way.

magicheater · Jul 11, 2011

Here is how I have been moving mine, anything larger than 900 lbs. I use the bucket on my bigger tractor.

Combustix · Jul 11, 2011

Magicheater has the best way. you can't beat a grapple for moving rocks or logs.

California · Jul 11, 2011

It must be nice to have the right tool like that grapple!

I was surprised to find that my little backhoe wouldn't lift, or swing uphill, much more weight than its bucket loaded with dirt. I had hoped to use it for much heavier lifting. Apparently it was designed with limited force so it doesn't overstress the 3-point parts on the tractor. The bucket curl is strong so it digs fine, but it would be useless for setting heavy boulders.