Splitting Rock Questions

Haoleguy · Jun 21, 2011

To complete a vineyard project I have 6-8 large rocks(20-40K lbs each) that are on or near the land surface and in my way. I need to get these split down to ~12K lbs for me to dig them out and/or move them. It appears there are rock demo people in my area. Before I get them over to give me quotes I have 2 questions for this experienced group. First, how many methods are there to split rocks of this size and is there one preferred over others? And secondly, what should the cost be per split or per rock? Oops third question. How long should this take? Thanks for the replies.......Gary

MikeD74T · Jun 21, 2011

Do a search for rock splitting & Egon. He used feathers & wedges. There are links to resources. MikeD74T

Whitnel · Jun 21, 2011

Really two options use explosives or use a hammer (hydraulic or air).
You could have the rock hand drilled and loaded with small charges. When set off they will break the rock up.
Or the mechanical method. The hard way, get an air compressor and jack hammer and start to work. Or the easy way, get a back hoe or an excavator with a hydraulic hammer. These are more powerful and faster.
The main question is do you really need them completly removed? If you got a hoe ram you could demo them 6" to a 1' below the surface then backfill the drive with rock.

Egon · Jun 21, 2011

My experience has been with smaller rocks using an electric SDS Hammer Drill and 1/2in. feathers and wedges.

For the size of rocks you have mentioned consider a much larger commercial type drill and then use "Dexpan" in the hole to do the cracking. Pease note I have no experience using Dexpan but some others here should have.,

Basically you drill a line of holes, 5/8 or 3/4 in. in your case and probably two feet deep???. These should take about 20 minutes each depending on the eqipment. Fill with the Dexpan and wait for it to expand. No idea on the time factor for expansion.

Do a Google on splitting rocks and there should be quite a bit more information on the topic.

I'm thinking you may be into commercial type methods with the size you have mentioned and reasonable time taken into consideration

In my misspent youth in another life I was involved in some road projects that required blasting but those methods are a little different from a small shoot.

leonz · Jun 21, 2011

Haoleguy said:
To complete a vineyard project I have 6-8 large rocks(20-40K lbs each) that are on or near the land surface and in my way. I need to get these split down to ~12K lbs for me to dig them out and/or move them. It appears there are rock demo people in my area. Before I get them over to give me quotes I have 2 questions for this experienced group. First, how many methods are there to split rocks of this size and is there one preferred over others? And secondly, what should the cost be per split or per rock? Oops third question. How long should this take? Thanks for the replies.......Gary

There is another very effective demolition method for stone and concrete that is called Dexpan which is a powder mixed with water that is pored into the drilled hole and expands the rock with massive force to safely breakk the rock or reinforced concrete that needs to be demolished.

whoopsie :0) I was not trying to steel your thunder EGON.
Dexpan® Non-Explosive Demolition Agent, Concrete Cutting Diamond Blades, Core Bits, Granite Cutting Diamond Baldes by Dexpan Diamond Blades

Whitnel · Jun 21, 2011

We tried using the expanding material on a sewer line project once. It did not work very well for us. I am not sure it it was the dexpan product or not, I was not the manager of the project. I do know if you are going to used the expanding material you will need to dig around the rock you are wanting to break. This will give the rock a space to expand to so it breaks. If you don't dig the soil around will be pushing back on the rock helping it stay intact.

DaveOmak · Jun 21, 2011

If you have a lot of time, drill many many deep holes, fill with water, let mother nature freeze and crack the rock.
I'm not sure if we are young enough to wait for the final report on this method.

Egon · Jun 21, 2011

I was not trying to steel your thunder/QUOTE

I got no Thunder. Just a very small meek voice in the wilderness.

Haoleguy · Jun 21, 2011

Whitnel said:
We tried using the expanding material on a sewer line project once. It did not work very well for us. I am not sure it it was the dexpan product or not, I was not the manager of the project. I do know if you are going to used the expanding material you will need to dig around the rock you are wanting to break. This will give the rock a space to expand to so it breaks. If you don't dig the soil around will be pushing back on the rock helping it stay intact.

Whitnel - Yes I have already dug around most of the rocks. Couple more to do once I have an idea on what the hired rock splitter's needs are. I'll post pictures later to show sizes....Gary

Haoleguy · Jun 21, 2011

So it sounds like a hired contractor would either drill holes and use expanding compound or take a hydraulic hammer on an excavator to the rock....is that what I'm hearing? I'll post pictures later today or tomorrow to show representative sizes.....Gary