Removing rocks

[Jay4200]

Need advice on removing rocks (1/2" - 2") from a pasture. Is there an attachment for this? We are using this 1/2 acre for grazing horses. My guess is the owner plowed up a leach field and now (no rain) the ground is very hard with rocks exposed. The horse's sole of the hoof gets bruises and then become lame. The rocks are on the surface (picked up a lot so far) and I assume there are lots more under! Hope this makes a better picture.

Rent a Harley rake. That will pulverize the surface and clean out most of the rocks a couple of inches deep. Then, get the wife and kids out there with garden rakes - line them up and go. 1/2 acre can be picked clean by a couple of people in a day.

No matter what you do, you'll have to rake out the area by hand, but a Harley rake will make that job relatively easy.

JayC

 

[Dr_Zinj]

I'm with Jay on this one. A rock rake dragged behind the tractor will get a lot out; but nothing is as good as a Mark I hand rake powered by a Mark I human for however long it takes. Get a teenager and offer him $20 to $50 to rake and rock pick the enclosure.

 

[expedoman55]

I de-rocked an 8 acre parcel here in upstate NY when I built our house in 2001. I did not own any equipment at that time so I rented ALL of it .. DANG I am in the wrong business. Rental is good bucks.
We rented a rockhound and skidsteer and many days later we had a rock free lot. What I will suggest however is do not let the rockhound fill up to far or you will pay a price of manual labor to empty vs dump. Also I know you are all smarter than I however just a tip don't try to drive it forward with the rock hound down.. operate ONLY in reverse..

 

[JimRB]

I missed the 1/2 acre and horses. Well I saw the 1/2 acre part. In Georgia the rule is an acre a horse if you can rotate pastures. This of course assumes established pastures and good rain. 1/2 acre and horses plural means it is a dirt paddock unless you rotate two horses off after a few days. At least that is what happens at our little ranch.

 

[Low Bucket]

Need advice on removing rocks (1/2" - 2") from a pasture. Is there an attachment for this? We are using this 1/2 acre for grazing horses. My guess is the owner plowed up a leach field and now (no rain) the ground is very hard with rocks exposed. The horse's sole of the hoof gets bruises and then become lame. The rocks are on the surface (picked up a lot so far) and I assume there are lots more under! Hope this makes a better picture.

Welcome!

Doing a search on here brought up this homemade rock bucket. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/141181-input-my-homemade-rock-bucket.html

Jimgerken sure did a great job building his and he saved a lot of money!