BIG ROCK PROBLEM????

[EddieWalker]

Looked like fun.

Thanks for the pictures, I enjoyed seeing them.

Eddie

 

[LarryD]

I'm thinkiing he ran around that pond a whole bunch of times for those pics...makes me appreciate them even more.

 

[john_bud]

Stupid question: Why the rock?

jb

 

[Defective]

Next step...putting the rock back EXACTLY how you want it.

What is the lift capacity of that trackhoe with the boom extended? Can you wrap a sling around the water end of that rock & tip it back with the machine?

If so, you could possibly fab up a fork for the machine's blade & pick the rock up from both ends. (of course I might be making silly sounds as I've never played with a trackhoe. But, it does work with a log skidder & lots of chain.)

On edit: Just looked closer at the blade on that machine...probably don't need to do any fabbing...looks like it would cradle the end of the rock nicely.

 

[dirtworksequip]

LarryD, yea I did a little running, but it was such a nice day weather wise for Jan. 50+ degrees I really didn't mind. Plus it gave me some time to think about what to try next.

JohnBud, WHY? Its just something different and unique. The challange of getting it from where it was to where it is now. And then finally getting it set the way I have envisioned it looking. Actually the rock I wanted was 22Lx4Wx1.5H.It was really nice,looked like a Wile E. Coyote rock from the Roadrunner cartoon. I figued I could have cantilevered it out over the pond at least 14 feet, but I wasn't able to get it because another operator buried it in the fill before I could ask the Supt. of the job if I could get it.

Defective, max. lift cap is 8100 lbs, but once you get that far out it reduces it to 1750 lbs. Its just not a big enough machine to just move the rock around. A Cat 312 I'd have no problem doing what I need. As far as cramping the rock between the blade and the bucket.......the blade just doesn't have enough lift power to do that. I tried.

I'm going to try and get it onto some logs today and see how that goes.I guess the biggest factor is that it has to go slightly up hill and fighting gravity is not helping. Also I would have to dig too deep behind it to get it level or down hill. Then when I go to reset it I would have to fight it back up hill.If the logs don't work I may try and find some 5/8ths sheet steel (4x8 feet) If I can get it onto the steel I think it will slide alot easier.

Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions.

 

[MarkV]

Just wondering if a good heavy chain around the water end of the rock to the bucket of the excavator would allow you to use the power of the excavator’s hydraulics more effectively? I know my backhoe has more power when not at full reach. This may be way off so I’ll just throw it out as a though. Instead of logs as a roller could you get a hold of some of those concrete cores that are left when they bore holes in concrete? I see them around here that are about a 1’ long by 5 or 6”. My thought was that with some 2x wood under them they would work as bearings and allow the excavator to move the rock in a crabbing type motion easier than logs.

MarkV

 

[firemanpat2910]

ok I have a crazy question. I am good at thinking outside the box If you are having trouble moving the rock, can you re-work the land around it to get the same effect? if mohamad cant go to the mountain take the mountain to mohamad. Sorry just and old saying grandpappy used to say.

 

[whodat90]

Could you chain the excavator to something else to act as an anchor? Used to have to do that when extracting other vehicles with my winch, my jeep was pretty light compared to some of the vehicles I was pulling out.
whodat

 

[dirtworksequip]

MarkV, the chain is a good thought, but I am sort of hesitant to be pulling on something with the hoe when you are pulling directly towards yourself. If the chain were to slip off the rock or break........don't like to think about that.
If you are talking about the concrete test pieces, I could probably get some pretty easy. I'll keep that in mind.

FiremanPat, There isn't really any way to reconfigure the area that the rock will sit on. I sort of designed that part of the pond with the rock in mind. But ya never know. If I can't get it moved and reset correctly that may be what I will have to do.

Whodat, there really isn't anything to tie the machine to. And that really isn't going to do me any good because the machine just does not have the power to move the rock without something under the rock to reduce the drag.

Here is some updated pics of trying to move it.

I can lift the near end about 2 feet off the ground.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...S POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010930-1.jpg

I cut down a "cherry tree" to make some logs for rollers. "I cannot tell a lie" I carried them to the rock with my JD 870.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010931.jpg

I've got 3 logs under it now. Notice the far track is off the ground.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010932.jpg

GRUNT!!!! Its sittin there like a beached whale now!Thats as far as it will go. The logs won't work anymore the ground is too soft. Even with the blade down it pulls the machine towards the rock and into the ground. I think I'm done til spring unless someone comes up with a solution or I can round up some sheet steel or a couple of steel beams to slide it on.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/...TES POND ROAD BUILDING AND OTHER/P1010933.jpg

It looks pretty harmless sitting there. Like you could do whatever you want to with it. NOT!

If anyone comes up with another idea please post it. I'm open to any suggestions.

To be continued.............

 

[BTDT]

From the pic posted, can you position yourself to reach out over edge of rock and pull it toward you (spin it 90 degrees)? Then reposition yourself and flip it over, should be easier with it in this position. Then when you get it back as far as you want it, push it back around like it was laying.