Moving Really Big Rocks

JoelD · Apr 30, 2008

Hey guys looking for some advice on how to move some really big rocks. I can easily push them with my dozer, problem is I can't get behind them, they are against a hill. I can't lift them with the loader and I can't move them with the hoe. I've had someone tell me drilling them and then setting bolts into the holes, with chain around the bolts and then hook the chain up to the dozer and drag them. I am not confident that a bolt would hold. Does anyone have any ideas on how to hook onto a rock and drag it. I can't get the chain around the rocks as they are against each other and digging under them I'd hit an electrical line. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'll try to post a couple of pictures tonight.

As I type I guess I could try to break up the rocks, but the rocks I grow here are super hard.

Thank you in advance,
Joel

IslandTractor · Apr 30, 2008

How about using an old car hood to skid them out? Or is the problem that you cannot dislodge them from their current site?

JoelD · Apr 30, 2008

Yup, can not dislodge, will use your idea to slide once I do get them moving as they'll be sliding across my driveway. They are biggins. I am thinking about renting an airhammer and hammering them to death, or at least into a couple of pieces. Maybe easier than possibly tearing up the machinery or me.

texasjohn · Apr 30, 2008

I remember that here on TBN once I saw a thread about how to solve this problem. Wish I could remember more.... it involved drilling some holes in the rock.... with a masonry bit.... inserting a material that expands and if you put the holes in a line, then it is likely to crack the rock in half. I can't recall the name of the material... not an explosive.... I saw photos of this... seemed to work amazingly well... cheaper than renting a jack hammer....

I just did a TBN search... http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/86471-breaking-up-large-rock.html?highlight=crack+large+rock

discusses this problem... dexpan is the name of the material
Here is more about it Dexpan Non-Explosive Demolition Agent
here is the key post from that thread.
-------------
Less than $100 worth of Dexpan will take care of your problem. No need for a jackhammer, which probably wouldn't work anyway.

Dexpan is a controlled explosive. It works on the same principle as freezing water. it expands and cracks the rock in half or thirds or whatever you want. It does NOT explode. It works in a couple hours. No licenses or permits necessary. It is typically available at welding supply places.

Do a google search and you can find a local supplier in your area. Your existing equipment can then take out the smaller pieces.

ChuckinNH · Apr 30, 2008

Couple of ideas. We break granite up by drilling a series of holes, and inserting "pins, and feathers", or two wedges with a pin between them. It's amazing what you can break up with a series of these in a row. The other idea is if you can get your loader bucket under them at all, you can then loop a chain around the top of the rock, and curl the bucket back to tighten the chain. Perhaps that way you can drive backwards using the bucket itself as the "stone boat" or car hood replacement.

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10335&cat=2,2180,41007&ap=

JoelD · Apr 30, 2008

Thank you very much for the information, the expanding chemical sounds like the trick, I've got a nice big chuck hand power drill I can use to drill the rock and use the chemical. I used the chains and loader for the other large rocks, but can't get the loader under the last three I'm dealing with. The feathers sound like another great alternatives.

texasjohn · Apr 30, 2008

Good deal... we want before and after pics!!!

Good luck...

NHbotanut · Apr 30, 2008

Joel,

I had the same problem last summer. What you need if Betonamit. You can get it at Taylor Rental in Concord. A 5 lb bag cost $60 and will handle most size jobs you have. Do not use a chuck drill. You will burn it out drilling into rock. You need a hammer drill, specifically a 1 1/2" drill bit. You can rent these also. The hammer drill will make life so much easier for you.

You drill 3 - 4 holes, mix the betonamit and pour in the holes. Cover the rock with a tarp and leave over night. In the morning the rock will be split in half or however you set your series of drilled holes. A friend used this when making his water fall, & I had to use it when I decided to dig up this "little rock" in the lawn. It ended up being 3 1/2 feet wide by 7 feet tall stading on end. I couldn't budge it with the backhoe. After splitting it I pulled out the top half and burried the bottom half. If I can dig out the pictures of it, I'll post them for you.

CurlyDave · May 1, 2008

You need a hammer drill...

Actually you need a rotary hammer, which is a lot more powerful than a plain old hammer drill. People will sometimes say "hammer drill", when they really mean "rotary hammer", but the guy at the rental yard will give you the wrong tool if you ask for a hammer drill.