Rocks & Boulders Galore

Noodlez914 · Apr 15, 2012

Hello everyone.

Well I finally got my 1026R with Front End Loader & Box Blade. My first order of business is to get my back yard back in order (actually better than it was) after a logger has rutted it up. Problem is he turned up an IMMENSE amount of rocks and boulders. This might be the only project out of the hundreds I have lined up, where I knew beforehand that it would be questionable if the 1026R was capable of this job.

My goal is to get these various size rocks and boulders out of the back yard area (approx 1/2 acre in total) so I can then begin to box blade and have fun reshaping the whole are and filling in low spots with my new tractor.

Anyone have some good advice on how to get the job done with my 1026R? Im assuming the rock and bolder removal is gonna be long and tedious, but any helpful tips tricks and advice would be appreciated. Don't get me wrong, they are big boulders but nothing that will require serious earth moving equipment. I am assuming that the 1026R can get it done but really don't want to waste all of spring and summer just focusing on removing rocks and boulders so any veteran knowledge on getting the job done with less power would be appreciated.

k0ua · Apr 15, 2012

For rocks that are too large for your loader to safely pick up you can build a "stone boat" basicly it is a sled to roll the rocks onto and drag them away. You can roll/shove a lot bigger rock than you can pick up. You can make it out of stout wood, or if you can find an old 1940's or early 1950's car hood that turns up enough you can turn it over and hook 2 chains onto either side of it to pull with.

James K0UA

Noodlez914 · Apr 15, 2012

k0ua said:
For rocks that are too large for your loader to safely pick up you can build a "stone boat" basicly it is a sled to roll the rocks onto and drag them away. You can roll/shove a lot bigger rock than you can pick up. You can make it out of stout wood, or if you can find an old 1940's or early 1950's car hood that turns up enough you can turn it over and hook 2 chains onto either side of it to pull with.

James K0UA

And that was a prime example of the ideas I was looking for! Love that idea and can already envision moving quickly with that method.

creekbend · Apr 15, 2012

How to Move a Large Rock | eHow.com Hopefully this will be of some assistance. Best wishes.

bcp · Apr 15, 2012

No matter how large your equipment is, there is always a rock that is too big for it.

k0ua · Apr 15, 2012

bcp said:
No matter how large your equipment is, there is always a rock that is too big for it.

Boy ain't that the truth! No matter what rocks we move my wife always wants to go after the one that is just a little bigger!

James K0UA

nybirdman · Apr 15, 2012

Anyone that lives in the north-east knows what you are about to undertake.
I have miles of stone fences/lots of rock piles and I still pick rocks every year.It may be easier to bring in top soil!!!!!!!!!!

magicheater · Apr 15, 2012

Noodlez914 said:
Hello everyone.

Well I finally got my 1026R with Front End Loader & Box Blade. My first order of business is to get my back yard back in order (actually better than it was) after a logger has rutted it up. Problem is he turned up an IMMENSE amount of rocks and boulders. This might be the only project out of the hundreds I have lined up, where I knew beforehand that it would be questionable if the 1026R was capable of this job.

My goal is to get these various size rocks and boulders out of the back yard area (approx 1/2 acre in total) so I can then begin to box blade and have fun reshaping the whole are and filling in low spots with my new tractor.

Anyone have some good advice on how to get the job done with my 1026R? Im assuming the rock and bolder removal is gonna be long and tedious, but any helpful tips tricks and advice would be appreciated. Don't get me wrong, they are big boulders but nothing that will require serious earth moving equipment. I am assuming that the 1026R can get it done but really don't want to waste all of spring and summer just focusing on removing rocks and boulders so any veteran knowledge on getting the job done with less power would be appreciated.

How about some pics so the collected intellect here can help!

Noodlez914 · Apr 15, 2012

nybirdman said:
Anyone that lives in the north-east knows what you are about to undertake.
I have miles of stone fences/lots of rock piles and I still pick rocks every year.It may be easier to bring in top soil!!!!!!!!!!

That's the kicker, my dirt is awesome topsoil. Rich and black, if I can get the rocks out I already have a great starting point for awesome grass. I didn't care with my old mower, but now that I will be cutting with the 1026r, I want NOTHING in this new grass that will damage the blades.