How big of a rock/boulder can a 60 HP tractor push on relatively flat dirt?

[Snezzy]

My dad said he saw someone doing this by hand, about 100 years ago, with just a crowbar and some smaller rocks. Took all day, but that boulder moved right across a field. Historically, similar work was done in moving Pemberton Hill into Boston Harbor north of Causeway Street, by using oxen. Look up "Pemberton" at https://www.ponyspot.com/asa/asa-sheldon.html

Who needs big machines anyway?

 

[smiley]

If it will fit partially inside the bucket you'll find By rocking the bucket back slightly and leaving the bucket lightly on the ground to act as a skid, you'll find you can push a lot more than leaving the Rock on the ground and trying to push or pull it.
While excavating with scrapers for a large landfill one time, We hit a giant granite boulder approximately 12 ft long 8 ft high and 10 ft wide. I had a D7 working right close by brought him over and he dug it out but he couldn't even budge it. We had a D9 push cat that I called for and they sent it down And the two of them together moved it but as soon as it dug in they just set there spinning their tracks. We had a 988 loader working close by so I brought him over had him put his bucket under the front of the rock and backing up to act as a skid. It took about 10 minutes but the three working together managed to slide the rock up out of the excavation and up on top by the office. I suggested they put a brass plaque on it giving the details of when the dump was built etc. If they didn't want to do that, I knew what I was going to do with it. Bury in the spoil area where they would be later digging out for fill to cover the dump and paint a sign on the side of it. " I figured out what to do with it Now you figure it out."
They eventually decided to put the plaque on it to make a monument out of it, Unfortunately they buried all but about three feet of it because it would be a safety hazard if a child climbed on it being so high.

 

[Djwshady]

I need to push some fairly large rocks around. I've was able to push many of them with a 70 hp mini excavator with a blade but I am wondering what I can do with a 60 hp tractor. I'm guessing the weight of the equipment and it being able to maintain traction is probably part of the equation.

Throwing this in as a reference
View attachment 750989

I'm in SW N.H. and I've been uncovering boulders on average of 6' x 6' to build a retaining wall about 300 yards away. I have a Branson 4015 R w/ FEL and BH. I've had no issue pushing these through the woods and gravel driveway. Sometimes, depending on the shape I can lift a corner to roll the boulders. Nothing broken yet. Low and slow.

 

[PILOON]

My CUT has a 4 ft bucket.
I have moved rocks wider and higher than the bucket.
Simple, I flip and roll them to where I want them to live.

 

[ELKx2]

A log arch and chain fall might be useful. Although, rigging rocks isn't particularly easy. They flip and fall out etc. A log arch that was tall enough might let you use a grapple.

 

[Carl_NH]

Same here on Coastal NH where we grow rocks too. I regularly dig out 2x2 size rocks with my B21 BH and transport them on the BH, and move larger 3x3 or 3x4 ones by rolling with the bucket short distances.

The big rock is 4x5x10 and was moved with a Cat 315 38K Lb excavator.

 

[Delfino35]

Man do I wish I can own both an excavator and a tractor. I'd be in heaven. Lol!

Lucky me. I own both. Good luck on moving your rocks.

 

[Fxfymn413]

I wonder what a purpose-built stone boat would look like?

The one I used as a kid with my grandpa was 2 inch thick oak planks held together by steel straps with the leading edge a solid piece of steel bent up on the leading edge so it would not dig into the ground. A chain was attached to the center through a clevis which was in turn hooked to a chain we hooked to the tractor draw bar.

This was in MA and despite having a garden in the same place for over 40 years we still "harvested" rocks each spring after plowing up the soil some of which were rather large.

 

[future_vision]

My dad said he saw someone doing this by hand, about 100 years ago, with just a crowbar and some smaller rocks. Took all day, but that boulder moved right across a field. Historically, similar work was done in moving Pemberton Hill into Boston Harbor north of Causeway Street, by using oxen. Look up "Pemberton" at https://www.ponyspot.com/asa/asa-sheldon.html

Who needs big machines anyway?

No doubt but what is the price to pay doing it by hand? I bet those folks and beasts didn't live as long. I plan to hang around awhile longer. Lol!

 

[future_vision]

I'm in SW N.H. and I've been uncovering boulders on average of 6' x 6' to build a retaining wall about 300 yards away. I have a Branson 4015 R w/ FEL and BH. I've had no issue pushing these through the woods and gravel driveway. Sometimes, depending on the shape I can lift a corner to roll the boulders. Nothing broken yet. Low and slow.

Good to hear. I am fairly confident a combination of present and past tech is going to get the job done. It's not as pretty as just plucking it off the ground and moving it exactly where you want it but when you have limited resources you get creative and find a way to get it done.

 

[future_vision]

I

The one I used as a kid with my grandpa was 2 inch thick oak planks held together by steel straps with the leading edge a solid piece of steel bent up on the leading edge so it would not dig into the ground. A chain was attached to the center through a clevis which was in turn hooked to a chain we hooked to the tractor draw bar.

This was in MA and despite having a garden in the same place for over 40 years we still "harvested" rocks each spring after plowing up the soil some of which were rather large.

I have a concept for a rock sled jostling around in my mind. Just need to get some steel and a welder and see if the idea holds water.

 

[robpm]

This will give you an idea of what I mostly deal with size-wise. The second picture is of those on the larger end. Of course I hit some outliers that are bigger but not often.

View attachment 751031View attachment 751032

I grew up in central NH, Sanbornton, exit 22 on 93. We had rocks like you have. I have lived in northern NJ for almost the past 40 years. I have it as bad and probably worse than you do regarding rocks. I have them in the sizes you do in galore! My 990 with the Artillian forks will lift around 1500 lbs. The tractor, if it could keep traction would push or pull for ever.

 

[stso9d]

How much wood can a WoodChuck........ B.

my grandson always replies 'about that much'

 

[Zdenek]

If I can't lift a boulder with the bucket, I sometimes rig it after removing the bucket (less weight to lift) to the bar behind the quick attach. I can lift more in that angle, but have to be on fairly level ground, or there is tipping hazard. This works well for placing the boulders on the retaining walls exactly in the right orientation and location. If the boulders are larger, I chain it to the 3pt hitch and partially lift and drag. works much better to pull, but do damage to ground.

 

[Jonsdeere]

Stone boat.... OK. Great idea!
I wonder what a purpose-built stone boat would look like? My guess is it would look a lot like a 50's vintage car hood. Lots of surface area, rounded edges, durable metal, reinforced edges, and hinge points to attach chains. A seriously ugly implement, though.
rScotty

Bolt, not boat.....

 

[future_vision]

Bolt, not boat.....

A stone boat is a sled for large rocks. Are you thinking of driving a bolt or eye hook into the stone and dragging it?

 

[M59]

I need to push some fairly large rocks around. I've was able to push many of them with a 70 hp mini excavator with a blade but I am wondering what I can do with a 60 hp tractor. I'm guessing the weight of the equipment and it being able to maintain traction is probably part of the equation.

Throwing this in as a reference
View attachment 750989

A couple of suggestions for moving rock is order of first to last preference for rocks larger than can be rolled into a front loader bucket and carried away.

Grapple then backhoe with thumb. I have rolled my share of rocks using the backhoe but that is hugely time consuming. Here are some pics of 60 hp M59 weighing 11-12K pounds with loaded rear tires and grapple. Also a pic with rock half in bucket. Back tires kept coming off ground with every bump even with backhoe as ballast on back. Fun times

 

[HAR]

I have pretty much read this thread with interest. Lots of pros & cons.

One thing that I did not see mentioned about forks was the moment arm factor. When you use normal forks, the chance of the load being extended further out on the forks, creates a moment arm that could really be dangerous. The further out on the forks, the less you should be trying to lift. If you do try to use forks, keep the load a close to the tractor as possible, and keep it low to the ground.

Another option mentioned (Post #74 with a photo) was removing the bucket and using the loader boom to raise the load. The photo speaks for it self. While the 'actual load' is close to the ground, the loader boom thinks that the load is directly where the sling attaches to the bucket frame. I.E., it is really high in the air. The chance for both sway and top heavy/COG issues abound.

The stone boat is a really good idea, as pointed out, tractors work best at pulling things. I am not sure about the rest of the country, but here in VT, there are hundreds of potential stone boats everywhere, as the state mandated that heating oil tanks be inspected every 3 years, and those that fail testing must be replaced. There are hundreds of old heating oil tanks around, which with a bit of cutting, would make a very solid and sturdy stone boat with much better metal than ornamental car hood metal. "truenorth" posted photos of using just that idea back in 2010

 

[future_vision]

I have pretty much read this thread with interest. Lots of pros & cons.

One thing that I did not see mentioned about forks was the moment arm factor. When you use normal forks, the chance of the load being extended further out on the forks, creates a moment arm that could really be dangerous. The further out on the forks, the less you should be trying to lift. If you do try to use forks, keep the load a close to the tractor as possible, and keep it low to the ground.

Another option mentioned (Post #74 with a photo) was removing the bucket and using the loader boom to raise the load. The photo speaks for it self. While the 'actual load' is close to the ground, the loader boom thinks that the load is directly where the sling attaches to the bucket frame. I.E., it is really high in the air. The chance for both sway and top heavy/COG issues abound.

The stone boat is a really good idea, as pointed out, tractors work best at pulling things. I am not sure about the rest of the country, but here in VT, there are hundreds of potential stone boats everywhere, as the state mandated that heating oil tanks be inspected every 3 years, and those that fail testing must be replaced. There are hundreds of old heating oil tanks around, which with a bit of cutting, would make a very solid and sturdy stone boat with much better metal than ornamental car hood metal. "truenorth" posted photos of using just that idea back in 2010

Hmm. Used oil tanks. Good idea. Couldn't get images to load in the other post but I am going to look around

 

[FERLING]