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

[HAR]

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

When I tried to open that page, it took forever, but the images did finally load...here is one photo from that thread

 

[Zdenek]

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

You are partially right. The lifting force transfers to a high elevation and if you are on a slope, it will be inherently more prone to rolling, however the CG is really much lower because the CG of the boulder is very close to the ground. The combined CG of the FEL is high and so the total is somewhere in between. There is some benefit from attaching the two straps far apart, so being on an incline will transfer more of the load to the higher side.
The biggest benefit of this setup is that you can lift more weight than the FEL rating because you are closer to the lifting cylinders. As you correctly pointed out about the moment of load on the forks.

 

[future_vision]

When I tried to open that page, it took forever, but the images did finally load...here is one photo from that thread

Rocks that size go in the bucket or moved with a grapple but Io can see how it might work with large stones. Sides are likely to get crushed though

 

[JasperFrank]

With my little 14 HP tractor, I have slid 1800 pound stones, to where I want them. It was never a question of if I could lift them. Cause I couldn't. But you can still move them by dragging and pushing them where you want even with a little tractor.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I didn't measure it,

but it was a LOT more than 3,000 pounds!

SR

 

[oosik]

WoW!! That is one beautiful stone - SR. I hope you are moving it somewhere to display it.

 

[wolc123]

Horsepower is irrelevant, you could likely push a boulder that weighs about 3/4 of what your tractor does, using your loader bucket, if your tractor is 4wd.

 

[Snowflakes]

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

Hi future_vision, Where did you get that nice chart? I had no idea of what rocks weigh. I just try to move them and if they do not move, I try to appreciate them where they are. We grow a lot of big rocks on our farm in northern Vermont so I have a lot of experience with them.

 

[bcp]

self loading stone boat.

Bruce

 

[future_vision]

Hi future_vision, Where did you get that nice chart? I had no idea of what rocks weigh. I just try to move them and if they do not move, I try to appreciate them where they are. We grow a lot of big rocks on our farm in northern Vermont so I have a lot of experience with them.

I don't recall. I just Googled weight of boulders or rocks I think but those are not really good to use. You might have the same size rock but two different weights because of the material it is made up of.