small bx2200 BIG piece of Concrete - HELP!!

[rixtory]

Hi
When we put in our patio, we had a 2.5'x2.5' square pad of concrete, that is about 6-8"" deep, moved over by our dog kennel, I had thought about digging into the ground so it would lay flat, but it was moved before I could dig out a spot, so now I have a big pad of concrete sitting between the kennel and the asphalt driveway 6-8" higher than the surrounding area..

Too heavy to move by hand, I used my FEL to tip it up and put some rocks underneath. I had thought of running some chains under it and using my 3PH arms to pick it up and perhaps move it, but I do not know if that is a good idea. I spent 10 minutes whacking it with a sledgehammer, but to no avail.

Any body have any suggestions - I am willing to get rid of it if I don't use it. I don't really want to tip it up with the FEL and dig under it, as I considered it when I was putting the rocks under it and realized it was pretty dangerous.
Thanks
rick

 

[hazmat]

rent a jackhammer - $30-$50 and your done with it in an hour.

 

[weesa20]

If you want to keep it, you could run 3 lengths of 2-3" steel pipe under it, and then roll it on the pipe to a spot where you can dig out the area and the roll it back into place. Make sure the pipe lengths are long enough to span the hole where it will finally sit and then lift up one end at a time and get the pipes out and set it down in the hole.

You can carefully use the tractor to roll it on the pipes, bringing the third pipe back to where the first pipe started (alternating pipes as it rolls over them) but if the ground is smooth, you likely won't even need the tractor.

W

 

[daTeacha]

That pipe idea is predicated on the assumption that the bottom of the slab is smooth enough to let the pipes roll against it. Odds are it isn't, but if you can flip it over, it'll work well enough.

 

[weesa20]

Dateacha- he could put a piece of plywood between it and the pipes. I have a feeling the tractor could probably drag it out of the way, dig the hole and then then push it back in place. If not without the plywood, then definitely with a piece of plywood under it and then pull on the plywood.

W

 

[Mike_Lipke]

8 pound sledge and more blows should crack it. Once it starts, it goes faster. May be reinforcing wire in there, you will need a sawzall to cut some of those.

 

[herringchoker]

How about upending it to one side, digging the hole and then flipping it over again into the hole?

 

[Mike52]

I've used (4) pieces of sched40 pipe (6" diam, 10' long) to roll a large gazebo. Used the FEL to pick up the side and put the pipes under it. Didn't need to use the tractor to push it....it rolled pretty easily. Moved it about 75' or so by myself.... I believe the egyptians used something similar to build the pyramids. Having it smooth on the botom is obviously a critical element.

 

[ADin]

Option 1:
Drill a couple of holes in a line across the center with masonry bit and tap in a few feathering wedges. Alternate between lightly tap each wedge equalizing pressure. If you can't locate the feathering wedges they can be improvised pretty easily with one quick trip to your local hardware store. The holes don't need to be that deep and usually breaks pretty quick and clean. Once in half I would think your loader should be able to handle.

BTW - Also used by the egyptians...minus the electric drill

Option 2:
Use a dry masonry blade in right angle grinder to score a groove across the center of the block, perhaps a 1/4 in or so; the deeper the better. Use a hardened wedge/big chisel with a sledge hammer for a of couple wacks. You may need to move the wedge along the score line with a wack at each position to imprint stress in the block before dealing the death blow.


Option 1 is less physical, option 2 is probably faster start to finish if you have the grinder on hand.

Let us know what ultimately worked for you...

 

[Superduper]

Based upon your measurements, you have approximately 3 and 1/8 cubic foot (for 6" slab) or 4 1/6 cubic foot (for 8" slab) of concrete. My calculations tell me the slab weighs approx 469 lbs if 6" slab or 625 lbs if 8" slab. I am not that familiar with the bx2200, which I believe is a fairly small tractor. However, if your loader can handle this weight, with sufficient ballast, you can probably lift or at the very minimum, drag this slab to where you want it. Alternately, most 3ph can easily handle this amount of weight. With that in mind, you may want to consider one of the cheapo 3ph pallet fork attachments which should allow you to easily move this slab around. Here is one I found on ebay for $65.

tractor carryall