BIG ROCK PROBLEM????

khd · Jan 2, 2007

Instead of moving it away, how about a large a-frame to lift the hanging end. Take the tension off the front, dig the trench behind as others suggest to allow the back to drop as the front is lifted enough to work under it, crib it for safety and then build your footing to bring it level and gently set it back down???

Regards,
Kevin

Egon · Jan 2, 2007

Now I get a different perspective of the problem. You really want the Rock where it is.

Jack it up and place cribbing under it. Pour some cement supports and then lower it back down.

MarkStewart · Jan 2, 2007

Check out this video on youtube. You may get some ideas from it. If anything I
found it pretty entertaining. YouTube - Building Stonehenge - This Man can Move Anything

dirtworksequip · Jan 2, 2007

Keep the ideas coming! I think a combination of everyones suggestions may just get it done.

I enjoy reading the different solutions to this problem. Its always better to get someone elses perspective.

Someone may even come up with a truely simple and unique method!

Thanks again to everyone that has responded so far.

Ken_CT · Jan 2, 2007

dirtworksequip,
Sorry, I misunderstood the project, even though you explained it perfectly

. Looking at the pic of the rock, it seems to have a few cracks or fissures in it. Looks like it will have to be move carefully or it could break. I agree with mike69440, a trench behind, some really strong straps, and the Cat. Maybe dig under as far as you can and make a ramp. Good luck and please post pics of the move.

Ken

dirtworksequip said:
OK guys and gals, see what kind of method you can come up with to move this rock back away from the water about 10 feet so I can reset it level in the same postion it is now. Problem: ROCK approx. 8 tons. Equipment available: Caterpillar 287 track skid steer (4.5 ton ), Caterpillar 308CCR excavator (8 ton machine) and a JD 3520.
Also the rocks end is at the right hand edge of the pic, behind it is level grassy area so there isn't a problem with getting a machine or to there.

And don't anyone suggest renting a D9 or blowing it up with dynamite.

I took a pic of me on it to give you some scale.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q259/dirtworksequip/bike%20pic/P1010909.jpg

Defective · Jan 4, 2007

You want it level...

Will it upset you to possibly lose a little elevation?

If not, I'd bring in a hydro-excavator. Just wash out a little of the earth supporting the high end.

I've done similar with a simple pressure washer but on a much smaller scale. It's amazing how much weight you can move if your just going down.

dirtworksequip · Jan 4, 2007

Defective, yea I want to keep it as level as I can and cantilevered out over the water as far as far as possible.The paint line on the side of the rock is the balance point. The elevation was sort of critical because I wanted some space between the water level and the bottom of the rock. If anything I need to go up with it.Thats a good trick to remember about the water. Sort of like the old time gold miners with the water cannons.

EddieWalker · Jan 4, 2007

I've got a clearer idea of what you want to do now and think I'd try something different than I first thought.

I was thinking about digging a pit and droping one end down into it, which will raise the end over the water like a see-saw. But that's allot of work and you still have to get the end in the ground back up again.

Now I wonder why you cant just dig a small opeining under the overhang of the rock and put a 20 ton bottle jack under it and jack it up? Get it up so far and block it with some wide lumber. Keep going until you have it so high, then do the same thing at each corner.

I did this with my dozer and it weighs 20 tons, so it's not that big a deal.

Once you get it up in the air and blocked nice and safely, it should be a simple job of shoveling material under it.

If your trackhoe can lift it up some, that might be easier and faster.

Good luck,
Eddie

dirtworksequip · Jan 4, 2007

Eddie, that may have worked with the bottle jack. Here are some updated pics.
Pic: Thinking of best angle of attack.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010919.jpg

Pic: Thats not going to work! I'm at max. reach and the blade is tight on the rock.
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010920.jpg

So I turned the machine around and tried that way.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010921.jpg

I can reach the end of the rock now, but don't have a lot of leverage with the boom and stick fully extended. (note: the paint mark on the rock that is the balance point)

dirtworksequip · Jan 4, 2007

Its moving, but not very good. Fraction of an inch at a time. Since I have the machine turned backwards from the blade I can't hold myself in position. When I pull on the rock the machine slides towards the rock.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010922.jpg

To solve the problem of the machine sliding towards the rock I had to push on the travel pedals to hold it. Worked ok, but doing that takes power away from the boom,stick and bucket functions.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010923.jpg

Got it moved a little over 1 foot. Have to fight it for every inch.I even tried cussing it, but it didn't do any good.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010925.jpg

I quit for now! Its back far enough that I don't have to worry about it slipping into the pond.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...S POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010926-1.jpg