Need advice on setting concrete pavers (BIG ONES)

[Bengineer]

I'm a little late to this thread given the progress you've already made. I think you might get the pavers to set more even if your gravel sub-base is smooth and packed to -1" of your grade, then screed off about an inch of fines / gravel dust on top so you have a level, smooth surface with a bit of give. The typical build-up for setting brick or pavers in sand is 4-6" of sub base packed, then setting on 1" of sand/fines screeded off smooth, then tapping the brick in place and finally vibrating the whole shebang with sand on top, which fills in the cracks, locking the whole surface together.

I'm not sure how much a small vibrating plate tamper will move your mondo pavers. Maybe one of the larger plate tampers would work.

 

[garacuda]

I've got about 3"-4" of dense grade gravel which was as level as I could get it On top of the dirt. As I added a couple of inches of #10 sand to set the big a $$ pavers in I am screeding the sand and trying to level it more presicley for each one, so I'm actually closer to 4"-5" on one end. Of course they are so heavy I find that I'm shifting sand as I attempt to butt them together. However it's working good enough for my intended use, and I will be tamping the entire surface after I get them all laid. I didn't think about tamping with sand on top though, that's another good idea I've gotten here from this forum. Thanks!

 

[mikehaugen]

When setting regular sized pavers, sliding back and forth helps even out the sand... maybe you can try something like that?

On the carrying aspect, my though would be to drill a couple holes and put anchors in them, then get female eye bolts (dont know the proper name, but they look like eye bolts without the bolt, and instead have a female threaded area on the bottom) and lift with those, then there is nothing under the "paver" when you set it down.

 

[garacuda]

These guys have notches in the bottom for forks, sure wish I had some forks. Once these move they shift a LOT of sand. I bought some tie down loops today so I can drill as you suggest and try to lift a little once in place and either add or remove some sand below. We'll see how that goes this afternoon.

 

[newbury]

If you are having trouble getting the straps out after placing the pavers try putting down some ice cubes before you set the paver. This should give room to slide the straps out, the ice melts, he paver goes down.