Need Advice to Retrieve Rocks from Bottom of Hill

[catsco]

In some posts in projects, I showed some pics of the placement of 50-60 tons of pretty large rocks on a slope for erosion protection.

About 5% of them got away and went WAY down the hill into the woods.

To get some of them back (from a location where equipment CAN'T go) and to get some others from various locations where my cables and/or chains can reach, is there an EASY way to hook onto them?

Getting a chain as tight as possible, which is really hard, works after 4 or 5 attempts on the angular ones, and less often on round ones.

Is there some type of tong device with 3 or 4 jaws that could be used? Similar to log tongs?

Most of the rocks to retrieve are 18" to 30" average dimension. My PT can easily lift and pull them, but keeping the chains or cables attached would avoid multiple climbs down and back up the slopes to reattach.

Thanks!

Mark H.

 

[beenthere]

I might consider trying to use some tire chains (car size) and use one or two to make a 'basket' around the rock. Take some time rigging it with secure fasteners but I think they would hold the rock through it's wanting to roll and twist over the other rocks. Just a quick thought. I don't envy you going after them, but sure wouldn't want to make more than one trip per rock, as many as 5% would be.

Or -- Maybe rigging a slingshot out of a rubber tractor tire innertube, and a way to pull it back enough to 'shoot' them back up to the top? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Just watch out for any that want to roll back down. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Taylortractornut]

I had to do the same thing on a river front home project. To retrieve them I used a 6 foot by 6 foot chainlink fence with clevises to make a basket to drag them in with. when id get to another rock Id open the basket an roll another one in.

 

[DaveNay]

Would it be worth the time and effort to drag a generator and hammer drill down there, drill a couple holes in each rock, and then cement or mechanically anchor in an eye bolt? At least then you have a secure atttach point for any lifting method.

Dave

 

[BX2230Dude]

I don't know how well this will work dragging rocks uphill, but this home made rock grapple works great lifting rocks with the FEL to build rock walls. It's built from scrap 3/8" x 2" and 3/8" x 3-1/2" barstock. It can fit over a 16" x 24" rock. The heavier the rock, the tighter it grips. Lift from the center of the chain.

 

[BX2230Dude]

Another View.

 

[RonR]

That looks like it would work great on a lift, but my concern would be that when the chain loosened as it might going up the hill, the rock would come out and roll back down..........

Looks good though for straight lifting....

Ron

 

[gotrocks]

We just finished moving some rather large rocks. I have several chains with hooks on both ends, various lengths. With a prybar when needed wrap the rock with longer chains and then make "basket" with the smaller ones. They still slip sometime but not very often. The other suggestion about tire chains sounds like a good idea if the tire chains are strong enough.
Tomorrow is a good day to get them moved since it is going to take considerable LABOR /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifto get the job accomplished.

 

[Henro]

BX2230Dude,

That's a real /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif grapple dude!

Something like that would work for logs too I bet...

But I think the chain link fence idea wins the prize... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SPIKER]

My vote is for the chain link fence, too, sounds like a plan. the tire chains are great too!... as for the sling shot thing, huinnn got a GOOD hard HAT!? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif