l3400 and 1850 rataining wall blocks?

[banjopkr]

Anyone know if or how I could use my 3400 or bh75 to lift 1850 pound retaining wall blocks off a car trailer. I am trying to build a wall out of 2'x2'x3' blocks because they are only 25$ each but it isn't worth it if I have rent equipment for a couple days to move them off the trailer.
Any ideas are welcome, thanks.
Chris

 

[bugstruck]

I assume they are standard concrete with no voids? If they were a true solid concrete cube, they'd be even heavier than 1850 lbs. I don't think your going to lift them with your tractor unless your FEL capacity is near that. Someone may have an ingenious method for sliding them around, but I suppose you have to lift them again at the wall if they are over 1 block tall? A grand L series with a 723 FEL might just lift that, barely. A 853 FEL would definitely do it. Most of the loaders will move more than they are rated for but not incredibly so. Technically, your 3PH would just make it. But how??

 

[banjopkr]

I don't need to stack them with the tractor I will be getting an excavator for that I just need to get them off a trailer with the tractor or somthing. Why don't I just use the excavator you might ask? Well I need to unload them over a couple of weeks because I need about 55 blocks. So i figure if I can slowly get them all to my place then I can rent the excavator and stack them in a day or so. I am thinking possibly a hoist or gin pole at this point.
Chris

 

[monkeymonk]

Load them with a strap under them Then wrap the strap around the block .Then attach strap to tractor and pull them off. They wont break! to save your trailer deck nail old or cheap plywood down first. you can also attach the strap/chain to a tree and pull forward /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[bugstruck]

Monkeymonks idea to pull them off, or some variation thereto, should work. Assuming it's your trailer, that's where I'd start. Scatter some sawdust or other friction breaker beneath them if your so inclined. May help to get them in motion. They should scoot fairly easily with your tractor on an underlayment-type plywood. You may be able to lay them over while loading, so the lift straps or holes are headed the pull direction. One other option would be to stand them up and tilt them over on pipe if you have some extra hands. That could be a little dicey though. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Maybe that's not a good idea. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[john_bud]

I am assuming that you only have 4-5 per trailer load? Make 4-5 sleds out of 4x4's and plywood. Chamfer the leading edge of the runners (4x4's). You will need three 4x4's - two on the edges and one in the middle. Bolt a ring into the middle one on the side with the chamfer. Load them on the trailer with the ring side to the back of the trailer. When you get home, chain the ring to the loader bucket or better, the draw bar and drag them off the trailer. The sled will traverse pretty easily. If you put steel or plywood on the bottom, they will drag slicker than deer guts on a door knob. You have to chamfer the plywood too.

You can also make a single stone sled. Basically that is 2 pieces of pretty thick steel plate (bigger than the stone!) that are hinged in the back. The front of each 1/2 has a ring. A chain or cable loops thru the ring. You place the open "sled" behind the stone you want to move, hook the chain or cable to the tractor draw bar. As the tractor moves forward, the two open sides are drawn forward and together until they go under the stone and clap shut. Once shut, it drags with relatively little effort. You have to beef it up to take the abuse - use good metal working methods as needed.

jb