best way to move big-ish rocks?

[zmjc]

Hi all,

I have a Kubota L3800HST with a 66" quick-attach bucket with a toothbar, and BH77 backhoe.

This is great for moving small and medium-sized boulders, but sometimes I want to move larger ones. By larger, I mean ones that two men couldn't lift easily - say a 2'-foot-diameter boulder.

The larger ones are too big for the backhoe to grab, and I don't seem to be able to get them into the loader bucket easily.

It might work if I used a ratcheting strap to get them into the bucket, but is there a better attachment for doing this? Maybe two not-too-long pallet forks?

What do you do?

- Mike

 

[seymojo536]

Roll them on a hood off a truck, chain to drawbar and drag 'em.

 

[zmjc]

Thanks, I actually didn't think of dragging them with a chain. Duh.

- Mike

 

[rekees4300]

You could try the sled approach using a sheet of plywood. Another possibility is to use a 4-5 foot crow bar as a lever to slid the stone into the bucket.

http://cabinhaus.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-is-stone-boat.html

 

[PapaPerk]

Make a rock boat. It's basically a sled. You can use it for all sorts of stuff. It's low to the ground so it's easy to load! Google rock boat.

The truck hood idea is a quick and dirty rock boat and would work great too!

Or google stone boat.

 

[zmjc]

Thanks guys! A stone boat is exactly what I need...

- Mike

 

[McCaskey]

Boulder sling, $10 in chain
The paint is to eliminate confusion when tangled.

 

[zmjc]

Thanks for those pics! Very helpful.

- Mike

 

[wedge40]

Boulder sling, $10 in chain
The paint is to eliminate confusion when tangled.

Now that is great idea. Can be used with FEL or 3pt boom pole.

Wedge

 

[kude]

Make a rock boat. It's basically a sled. You can use it for all sorts of stuff. It's low to the ground so it's easy to load! Google rock boat.

The truck hood idea is a quick and dirty rock boat and would work great too!

Or google stone boat.

We always called it a stone boat. It is a sheet of iron curved up on one end with a chain bolted to it. Then it had 2x4 sides laid flat and bolted on to keep the rocks from slipping off. Works on stones you can't pick up with the FEL or are awkwardly shaped. Have had it on the farm since I was a kid.

 

[Fixemall]

I use my tree spade bucket, the longer reach and curved sides work wonders for moving boulders.

 

[Runner]

I use my pallet forks, either on the loader, or on the three-point for heavy rocks.

 

[PapaPerk]

I use my pallet forks, either on the loader, or on the three-point for heavy rocks.

Whoa! How did u put your loader forks on the 3 point?! That's pretty cool!

 

[Runner]

"Whoa! How did u put your loader forks on the 3 point?! That's pretty cool! "


Here is the thread on my three-point pallet fork adapter build:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/177819-jd-three-point-pallet-fork.html

 

[nspec]

Ive moved way bigger rocks than that with my b2630. Talking like 5-6 foot diameter. Just use the loader to roll the rock along to where you want it. Rather easy actually.

 

[zmjc]

Ive moved way bigger rocks than that with my b2630. Talking like 5-6 foot diameter. Just use the loader to roll the rock along to where you want it. Rather easy actually.

Really? I'm dealing with granite here... and I want to move it along some back roads, which technically aren't public, but I'd rather not crush passing cars with out-of-control Indiana-Jones-style rolling stones...

 

[Travelover]

Roll them on a hood off a truck, chain to drawbar and drag 'em.

Doesn't this scratch the heck out of the hood? :laughing:

 

[rekees4300]

 

[PapaPerk]

Doesn't this scratch the heck out of the hood? :laughing:

It'll buff out. :laughing:

 

[foggy1111]

I've moved some pretty big boulders by using a car tire chain to serve as a web to capture behind the rock...and pulling the tire chain with a log chain coupled to my tractor's draw-bar.