Large Rock move

[fuseboxer]

How heavy and at what risk is moving or trying to move a granite rock approx. 3'Dia X 3 1/2' with a John Deere 4410 with a 300CX ? I have a pry bar and maybe some muscle around at the holiday. The 800lb tiller is on the rear from tilling the garden. If the risk to the loader or bucket is high the rock can stay. Any ideas? ---Thanks----Fuseboxer

 

[Johndeere3720]

How far do you need to move the rock? If it is a short distance I would roll it (if the ground is flat) or use a strap or chain to hold the rock in the bucket. If the tractor wont actually lift it then rolling it may be your only option. If it does just keep the bucket low and stay on level ground but with the size you mentioned that rock will weigh a LOT. hope this helps.

 

[megaboz]

There are two issues:
Will the fel lift it?
Will it slide around? If it will then strap it down like mentioned before. Definitely don't want something that heavy to slide from one side of the bucket.

The counter weight definitely a good idea. I wouldn't worry about hurting the fel unless it shifts and slides.

 

[magicheater]

According to my calculations that rock would weigh in the neighborhood of 3000 lbs. More than your loader would handle so please don't try that. If you could PUSH it onto a stone boat and drag it I am sure your tractor could pull it. An old car hood will work if you have one hanging around.

 

[whbrittain]

According to my calculations that rock would weigh in the neighborhood of 3000 lbs. More than your loader would handle so please don't try that. If you could PUSH it onto a stone boat and drag it I am sure your tractor could pull it. An old car hood will work if you have one hanging around.

I agree with magicheater. That is one heavy rock. A stone boat is your best bet, unless you can roll it to where you want it to live.

 

[k0ua]

If it has a flat side and not all jagged you can just either push, roll or hook a log chain on and pull it.. the stone boat would be great but if you have to stop and build it, you may not want to take the time.. "where is that 49 merc hood anyway?" but you can move the rock, probably cannot pick it up, but you can move it. You are going to tear up the ground under it of course.. Hope this is not your lawn I have moved a a couple like that, they weren't granite, but limestone, but still weighed more than I could even begin to lift, but sure could push/pull them.

James K0UA

 

[beenthere]

I approach the heavy objects (too much for FEL) with the forks on the 3 ph. Lifts more.
But then, always find a rock that is too big for the 3ph too.
The sliding or rolling methods described are good, as is the stone boat (roll it on and drag it).

For moving/digging rocks, the forks on the FEL are priceless. Wish I'd discovered them years ago.

 

[k0ua]

I approach the heavy objects (too much for FEL) with the forks on the 3 ph. Lifts more.
But then, always find a rock that is too big for the 3ph too.
The sliding or rolling methods described are good, as is the stone boat (roll it on and drag it).

For moving/digging rocks, the forks on the FEL are priceless. Wish I'd discovered them years ago.

Same here, I hardly put a rock of any size in the bucket after I got forks, I can load many of them by my self without getting off of the tractor and that includes digging them out. Plus you can see what you are doing so much better. And with a little practice you can set them right where you want them including on a rock wall you are building..I use forks with a pallet occasionally, used them for that just this weekend, but I use them for big rocks all the time.

James K0UA

 

[Zebrafive]

I agree with those who say this will be too heavy for your loader. Unless you are going down hill I would try to pull it. A tractor tire chain makes a good sling and will stay on better than a single chain.

 

[foggy1111]

I agree with those who say this will be too heavy for your loader. Unless you are going down hill I would try to pull it. A tractor tire chain makes a good sling and will stay on better than a single chain.

^ This sling idea works for me. :thumbsup:

 

[LD1]

Push, pull, roll, use a car hood, all good ideas.

how far are you moving it? and across what kind of terrain? Those will dictate to me what method is best.

Pushing will be the quickest but will tear things up. If just moving across a field or in the woods, this is the method I would use.

The hood or rolling would work well if you have to go across the lawn or drive.

Another question though, how long has the rock been in its current location and have you got it dug up yet.

Because if it has been there for years, and you havent attempted to dig at it yet, you are only seeing just the tip of the iceberg. Getting it dug out and out of the hole is going to be the real challenge with a small tractor.

 

[beenthere]

Ahha! LD1 has been there too!!

 

[k0ua]

Push, pull, roll, use a car hood, all good ideas.

how far are you moving it? and across what kind of terrain? Those will dictate to me what method is best.

Pushing will be the quickest but will tear things up. If just moving across a field or in the woods, this is the method I would use.

The hood or rolling would work well if you have to go across the lawn or drive.

Another question though, how long has the rock been in its current location and have you got it dug up yet.

Because if it has been there for years, and you havent attempted to dig at it yet, you are only seeing just the tip of the iceberg. Getting it dug out and out of the hole is going to be the real challenge with a small tractor.

Yep if it is still in the hole.. well you may never get it up and out. You can roll over a rock you cannot lift, and you can pull a rock you cannot roll over. And if you cannot pull it.. well crap.. better get a bigger tractor or something with tracks, not wheels.

James K0UA

 

[LD1]

Ahha! LD1 has been there too!!

Yep.

You can see in this pic how much was underground. ( the rock is upside down. The top part in the photo was underground)

And just for reference that is a 78" wide, 32" high 1-1/8 yard bucket:thumbsup:

 

[k0ua]

Yep.

You can see in this pic how much was underground. ( the rock is upside down. The top part in the photo was underground)

And just for reference that is a 78" wide, 32" high 1-1/8 yard bucket:thumbsup:

Wow. that is a BFR!... uh Big Fine Rock!

James K0UA

 

[LD1]

Wow. that is a BFR!... uh Big Fine Rock!

James K0UA

and granite to boot

I posted that pic here too http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/243168-ford-5500-vs-4500-pictorial.html and another member guessed ~4000lbs+

Thats probabally close. IDK, I dont have any good way to measure it though. It is about 6' long, 3' wide, and an average of 24" thick (its kinda tapered a bit, 3' wide on one end and 1.5' wide on the other).

I never did look up what granite weighs. But I can tell you that it was a load on that 18,000lb machine with 4" loader cylinders. Lifted it fine, but you could definatally feel the weight shift, and backing up a slight grade was tough to keep traction.

Edit: I fotgot to mention that I had tried before to pop this thing out with the L3400. No dice. Even dads 4500 TLB wouldnt budge it. But I would be willing to bet that I could roll it onto a car hood and drag it with the L3400 though. Getting it out is the hard part.

It the OP can get it out of the hole, moving it is the easy part.

 

[Zebrafive]

Yep.

You can see in this pic how much was underground. ( the rock is upside down. The top part in the photo was underground)

And just for reference that is a 78" wide, 32" high 1-1/8 yard bucket:thumbsup:

Squatting the front tires pretty good! Whats the load rating of the tires?

 

[LD1]

Squatting the front tires pretty good! Whats the load rating of the tires?

IDK. But they are a 20" 10-ply with split rim. Currently have 85 PSI in them which is the sidewall max. The mass of the rock is centered on that side too. The other side didnt look like that. And the picture does make it look worse than it actually was

 

[fuseboxer]

According to my calculations that rock would weigh in the neighborhood of 3000 lbs. More than your loader would handle so please don't try that. If you could PUSH it onto a stone boat and drag it I am sure your tractor could pull it. An old car hood will work if you have one hanging around.

Thanks ---EVERYONE---for the insight on rocks. Like the fish that is too big to land this rock in not worth the risk moving or buying a car hood for a slide. It has been in the same spot for approx 3yrs. Neighbor gave it a toss with his very large Cat digger when he added about 30-50' to the South end of my pond. I am retired with too much time and too many toys to try and justify. The rock art next to a brussle sprout veggie cart I built with scrap metal wheels from behind the barn. Grandchildren may get hurt climbing on rockpile it may shift. I will try to warn them. The "blue beauty/red streak rock" I put in the center of one of the wifes flower beds. She liked that. The diesel fuel is old from last summer in my 4410 deere and I am trying to burn it by finding the tractor "make work". Tilled the neighbors garden, mine two days ago. The new 5' rear tiller I purchased last year works great but cuts the tiller time for a 50' X 80' garden to very short time. ---Fuse

 

[LD1]

I am sure you could move it with a strap or even a chain. Once out, you could push easially I am sure.

BUT....I have to agree with you on leaving it alone. Judging from the context of your pics, it looks like you have a well landscaped and manicured lawn. Which wouldnt look so nice when done if you dont have a hood