I need to tear down an old retaining wall

[Slade]

12 ft high, 50 feet long and made of RR ties about 25 years old. I can only work from below the wall and it seems a bit high to use a BH. Anyone ever try pulling one down using chains? It's just me and my Kubota L5740, but I can spend some $$ to save the $9000 quote that I got for someone to do it.

 

[MarkV]

That is a big wall. Any chance it could be cut into sections and then pulled down? What are the soil conditions behind the wall? Any worries about the hill side collapsing when the wall is removed? I have used some of the larger mini excavators that would have enough reach.

MarkV

 

[Gizmo2]

How are the RR ties tied together?

 

[AchingBack]

If the wall was correctly built, it should have a deadman every six feet or so. Those are usually buried at a right angle to the wall, and cemented into the ground with rebar. Pulling down the wall may be harder than dismantling.

 

[Slade]

It's hard clay behind the wall and won't collapse much if at all.
Yup, I can see where the deadman ties are placed and plan on just cutting them off. Each tie has several 3/4 inch rebar pins sunk down into the lower ties at different locations.

I guess it doesn't sound like I'll be pulling it down too easily. I don't really have anything to cut it with, since I won't use my new Stihl on it.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Saddly this is how I had to resort to getting rid of an old foundation on our property...

We played with pulling it in ourselves... Got some stumps and another hole filled in the deal...

 

[gwjd]

rent a gas powered abrasive wheel cutter and run threw the joints to section it off and then use a nice long chain and pull her down use spikes or what ever to anchor them just make sure it is pulling side ways not out to have a spike shaped projectile in your head

 

[magicheater]

Saddly this is how I had to resort to getting rid of an old foundation on our property...

We played with pulling it in ourselves... Got some stumps and another hole filled in the deal...

Why sadly? Correct type of machine for the job, bigger one would have been even better! Track hoes are awesome and in a category by themselves. I have advised prospective clients to get their services when I truly believe they will be better served, have not been wrong yet. Good choice and you did not break your tractor!

 

[Mousefield]

Why not get the right tool to do the job. I would look at renting a fairly large excavator and do it safely. It should have something like your retaining wall down and the debris stacked in less than a day. Would be much faster and safer.

"It's hard clay behind the wall and won't collapse much if at all."

Then why did they put in the retaining wall in the first place?

 

[Iowachild]

"It's hard clay behind the wall and won't collapse much if at all."

Then why did they put in the retaining wall in the first place?

Because over time the clay will take on its Natural Angle of Repose.

 

[jenkinsph]

12 ft high, 50 feet long and made of RR ties about 25 years old. I can only work from below the wall and it seems a bit high to use a BH. Anyone ever try pulling one down using chains? It's just me and my Kubota L5740, but I can spend some $$ to save the $9000 quote that I got for someone to do it.

First thing I would do is get some more quotes from someone with an excavator. That price seems very high.

 

[MikeD74T]

12 ft high, 50 feet long and made of RR ties about 25 years old. I can only work from below the wall and it seems a bit high to use a BH. Anyone ever try pulling one down using chains? It's just me and my Kubota L5740, but I can spend some $$ to save the $9000 quote that I got for someone to do it.

How much of that $9000 is disposal cost? Creosoted RR ties aren't that easy or cheap to get rid of in many areas. MikeD74T

 

[jenkinsph]

Mike,
I wouldn't think RRties are hard to get rid of in the OP's area. The good ones can be given away eliminating their disposal costs.

 

[Topstrap]

Excavator with a thumb would have that out in a few hours. Shame you're not in Ohio, I'd do it for a third of that and still feel guilty taking your money. Sounds high for that price you got but maybe old ties are harder to get rid of there than up here. If you had a place needing fill be good place to be rid of them and cover over.

Topstrap

 

[77bronco]

What if it accidentally caught on fire?