Need Ideas - Lifting 100-250# rocks

RockyMnt1 · Sep 7, 2004

I am in the process of building a rock retaining wall. I need to lift some fairly heavy rocks to build this wall. These rocks have fairly smooth sides and are really hard so getting something to penetrate the rocks would be difficult. I am placing steel mesh and masonry concrete between the rocks for looks/strength. Ideally, I would like to be able to lift the rocks from above and set them down on the steel mesh/wet concrete that I have prepared for that rock. I though about using clamp on bucket forks, but that is not lifting from the top so I will have to roll the rocks on/off the forks and position the rocks once off the forks all the while goofing up the prepared area. I also thought about using logging tongs to lift the rocks from above and lower the rocks where I need them, but I am not sure that that is the right tool for the job.

I need some ideas on the implement to use (and where to buy it?) to aid in this construction project. I will be using a B2410 and I only need to lift the rocks 4-5 ft up.

Any ideas out there? I know that there is something out there for this task, but I have been racking my brain to find it. I did searches of the attachment BB with no results.

Thanks for any help.

MaineGuy · Sep 7, 2004

I'm not sure how to provide the link but there was a thread 4 days ago about moving rocks.

<font color="blue"> </font> http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=491615&Forum=All_Forums&Words=&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=5000&Old=2days&Main=491416&Search=true

This picture was posted. It looks mighty interesting.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/download.php?Number=491614

greg_g · Sep 7, 2004

A boom pole and a dirt scoop?

The scoops have a trip lever. You could roll or lever a rock into the scoop at ground level, raise the scoop with the boom pole, position it over the desired place on the wall, lower scoop, trip lever, rock (hopefully) falls into place.

//greg//

RockyMnt1 · Sep 7, 2004

Yep. That rock grappel is just the ticket. I'll head down to the local welding shop with the picture.

Thanks so much for the info. This has really been bugging for a awhile now!!

BX2230Dude · Sep 7, 2004

RockyMnt1, here's the original post from a few days ago with both pictures:

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.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/491614-DSC00931_20.JPG

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/491615-DSC00932_20.JPG

Once the rock is hanging from the chain, it's easy to have an assistant position it just right before lowering it down. The grapple slips right off once the weight is relieved.

BX2230Dude

v8dave · Sep 8, 2004

I pulled down moved and rebuilt a rock retaining wall. If the grapple doesn't work you might consider renting an Excavator with a "thumb." I've attached a picture where I'm picking a rock straight up. Some of the rocks I moved were 300 to 400 pounds. The excavator is very stable when moving rocks in the backhoe bucket, my tractor backhoe wasn't. The grapple on the front of a tractor should be a lot more stable than using the tractor backhoe for transport.