Does anyone have any suggestions on splitting rocks. I have several large rocks that are too big to remove or bury. Drilling with a small hammer drill is not quick enough for my liking. Anyone tried renting a hoe ram and attaching to backhoe? Or any other suggestions?
splitting rock
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Dave M7040
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If you dont have the patience for expanding chemical products or the small explosive ones triggered by air, then you are going to have to hire someone.
Few are willing to rent out just the ram as it is too easily damaged.
The concrete cutting and coring companies could be hired to drill holes with their diamond drills and then you use the products mentioned above. The diamond drills are much quicker than a hammer drill with a carbide bit..
Dave M7040
Few are willing to rent out just the ram as it is too easily damaged.
The concrete cutting and coring companies could be hired to drill holes with their diamond drills and then you use the products mentioned above. The diamond drills are much quicker than a hammer drill with a carbide bit..
Dave M7040
tractchores
Veteran Member
I've tried a bunch of approaches (I have huge rocks). Depending on the type of stone you may have some options. You likely have a lot of granite, which unfortunately is VERY tough. Here's some of what I tried:
- Rent a jackhammer: This actually works, but is slow and a lot of effort. Good if making holes etc
- Wedge and feather: This actually should be the easiest method. You drill with a hammer drill and bunch of times and then use the wedges to crack it. i've had limited success, but my rocks tended to fracture and shed chunks VS splitting. Drilling also took FOREVER and I dulled the drill bits quickly (should have used water or something).
- Chemicals : Same effectiveness as feather and wedges, but takes longer. issue here was the time and drilling holes was still needed.
- Hydraulic breaker: Unable to find an attachment for my BH and was told that it's REALLY hard on the tractor.
Unfortunately there's not a lot of good solutions. My preferred method became digging holes near the rocks and pushing or pulling them out of the way into the new hole. Not great, but works for a trench or other project to get rocks out of the way.
- Rent a jackhammer: This actually works, but is slow and a lot of effort. Good if making holes etc
- Wedge and feather: This actually should be the easiest method. You drill with a hammer drill and bunch of times and then use the wedges to crack it. i've had limited success, but my rocks tended to fracture and shed chunks VS splitting. Drilling also took FOREVER and I dulled the drill bits quickly (should have used water or something).
- Chemicals : Same effectiveness as feather and wedges, but takes longer. issue here was the time and drilling holes was still needed.
- Hydraulic breaker: Unable to find an attachment for my BH and was told that it's REALLY hard on the tractor.
Unfortunately there's not a lot of good solutions. My preferred method became digging holes near the rocks and pushing or pulling them out of the way into the new hole. Not great, but works for a trench or other project to get rocks out of the way.
quicksandfarmer
Elite Member
Rather than a hammer drill, have you tried a SDS drill? I bought one at Harbor Freight for less than $100 including a set of 6" bits. It will drill the length of the bit into granite in a few seconds. I have a set of feathers and pins, but for a big rock I think I would use Dexpan, a bucket of Dexpan is cheaper than a set of five wedges.
NorEaster
Member
You want a rotary hammer, not just a hammer drill. Drill however deep the bit lets you every 8-12 inches. Feather and wedge from there...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBMcMGBhUVk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBMcMGBhUVk
Will check out the HF sds drill. I never heard of a SDS drill. Any tips on drilling rock? Start with a small hole and increase? Use water to cool or help cutting or save bit. I have no clue about drilling rock. I did pick up 3 wedge and feathers. Seemed to be a waste because of slow drilling. The SDS is much better than a hammer drill? Fracturing is fine with me also. I just need to get them below grade. They are all to big to bury. Thanks for your input. Some one also said that gun powder works good in the holes too.Vs Dexpan ??
Hhaha Ok same as sds
Teachu2
Platinum Member
SDS (or Slotted Drive System) bits for hammer drills/rotary hammers allow the bit to slide in the chuck and enhance the hammering action of the tool. For most applications, these bits provide plenty of torque.
SDS Max bits are similar to SDS bits, but have larger shanks and come in larger sizes than SDS bits. These powerful bits are useful in industrial applications. What Does S.D.S. Stand For? | Toolbarn Banter
Hammer Drills - Save on Hammer Drills at Harbor Freight
As shown on the HF page, SDS is not the same as rotary hammer or hammer drill. I have the 10 amp model with SDS and like it very much. On sale for $89.99 at the moment, occasionally as low as $69.99. SDS shanked bits are available at HD and Lowe's, if you don't have an industrial supply nearby.
I also have an old Bosch industrial model with a bit stuck in the shank holder. It pre-dates SDS by a couple decades. One of these days, I'll break it loose...
SDS Max bits are similar to SDS bits, but have larger shanks and come in larger sizes than SDS bits. These powerful bits are useful in industrial applications. What Does S.D.S. Stand For? | Toolbarn Banter
Hammer Drills - Save on Hammer Drills at Harbor Freight
As shown on the HF page, SDS is not the same as rotary hammer or hammer drill. I have the 10 amp model with SDS and like it very much. On sale for $89.99 at the moment, occasionally as low as $69.99. SDS shanked bits are available at HD and Lowe's, if you don't have an industrial supply nearby.
I also have an old Bosch industrial model with a bit stuck in the shank holder. It pre-dates SDS by a couple decades. One of these days, I'll break it loose...
tractchores
Veteran Member
If you get one let us know how it works on granite. I'd buy one in a second if it works. One tip on drilling - do not breathe the dust, it can be very dangerous.
Egon
Epic Contributor
I have split some granite rock. Used an SDS rotary hammer drill (Makita) with feathers and wedges. It's also helpful to cut a slot using an angle grinder along where you want the break.
Do not use water. Makes a wet slurry that doesn't blow out.
Granite rocks come in different hardness.
Do not use water. Makes a wet slurry that doesn't blow out.
Granite rocks come in different hardness.
LD1
Epic Contributor
rent an excavator and dig a bigger hole.
A rock that I envision as being too large to burry is one that is just gonna laugh at an SDS drill and wedge.
Any pictures
A rock that I envision as being too large to burry is one that is just gonna laugh at an SDS drill and wedge.
Any pictures
Egon
Epic Contributor
KennyG
Elite Member
Anybody remember the movie "Pale Rider"? Make a big guy really angry.
QRTRHRS
Elite Member
Many years ago I offered to help out the stone mason my brother had worked for when my brother lit out for SF. This old German could lay up the most beautiful stone chimney that you ever laid eyes on be it one, two, three stories, etc.
Anyway, we would go to his "rock field" where he would pick out a certain colored and/or textured boulder that would maybe fill a pickup bed but certainly crush it. He would call for a certain weight sledge which I would retrieve for him. He could "read" the grain of most any boulder and with a few blows, get a crack started. Maybe with a wedge, maybe not, he would break down a boulder slowly but shourly until he had the pickup bed full with the pieces that he desired and away we would go.
He was friends with my dad. Every now and then they would be in the "gin mill" where this guy (and he was in his sixties) would drink everyone under the table with shots yet be up bright and early the next day. What a character!
Anyway, we would go to his "rock field" where he would pick out a certain colored and/or textured boulder that would maybe fill a pickup bed but certainly crush it. He would call for a certain weight sledge which I would retrieve for him. He could "read" the grain of most any boulder and with a few blows, get a crack started. Maybe with a wedge, maybe not, he would break down a boulder slowly but shourly until he had the pickup bed full with the pieces that he desired and away we would go.
He was friends with my dad. Every now and then they would be in the "gin mill" where this guy (and he was in his sixties) would drink everyone under the table with shots yet be up bright and early the next day. What a character!
ultrarunner
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I was lucky... the city was replacing sewer mains in the area... contractor needed access to the rear of my property as the most practical way to get down to the creek.
I had some rocky outcroppings where a bosch hammer would just chip off little hand sized chunks and this is with me standing on the loader bucket.
Told the foreman he could have free access if he helped me out... deal.
Now he thought it would be simple for his big CAT backhoe... no dice.
In the end he brought in an excavator with a hydraulic hammer which took about 5 hours... said it was much tougher than it looked.
Maybe somebody already working in the area will take on a side job?
I had some rocky outcroppings where a bosch hammer would just chip off little hand sized chunks and this is with me standing on the loader bucket.
Told the foreman he could have free access if he helped me out... deal.
Now he thought it would be simple for his big CAT backhoe... no dice.
In the end he brought in an excavator with a hydraulic hammer which took about 5 hours... said it was much tougher than it looked.
Maybe somebody already working in the area will take on a side job?
quicksandfarmer
Elite Member
My HF SDS goes through RI granite like it's nothing, like maybe an inch per second for a half inch hole. The first time I drilled a hole I was so amazed I was looking around for other rocks to drill. I have no idea how long the drill or the bits last, I've only had call to drill a few holes.
Bought HF sds today. Gonna get to it Sunday or monday. I also bought HF bits. Have they worked out well for you?
Fossil Farm
Platinum Member
A few nice, hot fires around the boulders work nicely if that is an option. Any internal cracks or seams start to show up and will begin to split the stone.
