Lava Rock Project

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In planning our landscaping projects for the next five years I feel in love with the lava rock that comes from the Crater of the Moon area in Idaho. I found a great place in Twin Falls, Idaho that sells all types of lava rock and purchased three rocks. Two we loaded in my S10 (two different trips) and hauled back to Montana. One weighed in at 741lbs and the other at 423lbs. The PT425 off loaded without any problems but the last rock was a real challenge. My first problem was to find a trailer that I could pull with my Suburban. The rock weighed 2741 lbs, which meant that I needed something low for off loading. Finally found one at Uhaul that was tandem axel and aluminum. The trailer traveled empty to Twin Falls and loaded for return.
I knew the landscaping nursery had equipment to load me but was at a total loss as to how I was going to unload back at home.
I must say that when I was hauling those smaller rocks back I got a number of comments when stopping for fuel "didn't Montana have any rocks?” Yes, Montana has rocks coming out of its ears but everyone had that type of rock in their landscaping and I wanted something different. I now have the most expensive three rocks in landscaping history.
Each rock will occupy a center section of a U shape area which I will do photo's of when I get them built.
PJ

 

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The many rock for sale.
PJ

 

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Lava rock I purchased. This is one of three but the largest by far (2741 lbs)
PJ

 

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First fork lift picking up rock to bring to trailer.
PJ

 

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Placing into trailer which put tail gate on ground.
PJ

 

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We placed the rock on a piece of plywood figuring that would make it easier to push forward into the trailer and unload. WRONG!
PJ

 

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Thats all this loader would do as the body of the loader came up to the frame of the trailer and the forks would not push it in any further. Still not in center so we came up with another loader.
PJ

 

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A larger tractor that the forks extended out. Still did not work to get the rock over center line of trailer.
PJ

 

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Largest Bobcat they had with very long forks. After a number of tries, we finally got the rock over center line. The trailer was level and ready to head to Montana. Ended up blocking the Suburban and trailer tires as the loader kept pushing the trailer and vehicle forward.
PJ

 

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Final resting place on trailer prior to heading for home. Had straps to tie down but after all the hassel trying to move the rock into place I never used them. Rock never moved.
PJ