stone puller

davidseaquist · May 11, 2006

What do you think of this three point attachment? The owner calls it a stone puller. He said he built it himself the bid is only 42 dollars right now. I saw the item on E-bay. David

Freds · May 11, 2006

I can't quite figure it out. It almost looks like it should be rotated back, like the lower arm attachment pins are on top the way it's sitting /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I see the "working/digging" end of it and it certainly looks like it would dig and scoop a decent sized rock.
It kinda looks like it's missing some parts, too.

But, it looks kind of nifty. Buy it! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Pks · May 11, 2006

I think the picture shows it to be upside down.

BamaRob · May 11, 2006

I took the photo, rotated it, and took out the background. This is what I got:

Makes more sense to me looking at it from this angle.

Here the original for comparison:

Later,

BR

Freds · May 11, 2006

Yeah, that's how I envisioned it.
Of course...... the more I look at it the more I think it's a stupid idea. What are you supposed to do with the rock once it gets up inside the framework /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I can just see getting it started on the "tip of the iceberg" and having a big old boulder wedged up in there as a permanent fixture. That and a stuck tractor with a 3ph implement you can't get off /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

It might look nice in the front yard with some flowers planted around it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

davidseaquist · May 11, 2006

Thanks for correcting the picture

BamaRob · May 11, 2006

It's not a correction so much as an alternate view. I was curious about the thing, so I took the time to alter the photo. Then, I thought since I've done it, I might as well share it. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Later,

BR

3RRL · May 11, 2006

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can just see getting it started on the "tip of the iceberg" and having a big old boulder wedged up in there as a permanent fixture. That and a stuck tractor with a 3ph implement you can't get off)</font>

At $45 .... cheap permanent ballast /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

davidseaquist · May 11, 2006

I think it would work well for picking up loose rocks 12" to 18" in diameter. it wouldn't pick up much dirt like a dirt scoop. If someone did not own a loader. It could be a good option. How about transporting rocks? could you straddle a rock and pick it up than raise the three point hitch, than transport the rock to the new location drop the three point hitch and back up to drop the rock. Raise the hitch again and drive off.

davidseaquist · May 12, 2006

The unit used a hydraulic cylander not supplied hear is another picture of the item turned around. Looks like you back up to the rock and use the hydraulic cylander to pull it out of the ground.

3RRL · May 12, 2006

Yeah, I see that the bottom frame with the spades on it appears to pivot. That's actually a pretty good idea. Only thing is it seems ungainly to get under the rock if it's embedded deep? Seems like there should be some additional way to fasten chains or something to get a good grip on the rock? Could also be used to pop up ...un-root small trees with a little modification?

Freds · May 12, 2006

Ahhh, it all makes sense to me now /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
I stand corrected. That's actually a pretty neat little attachment. It looked like it was missing something and a hydraulic cylinder never entered my mind.

JimMorrissey · May 12, 2006

Yeah, I think it's pretty cool too. They prob though they were going to use their loader to transport the rocks and just use this to pull them free without wrecking the whole landscape.

BamaRob · May 12, 2006

Am I looking at it right? If so, it appears that you'd approach a rock going forward, straddle it, drop this thing down and pick it up. Or, back this thing over the rock, drop it down, then pull forward picking the rock up.

Does that sound right?

Freds · May 12, 2006

Yes, I think you would have to drive over or back over the rock and then drive forward as you dig and operate the hydraulic cylinder, but your first pic seems more correct. The lower lift pins need to be on the bottom with the toplink attachment point straight up from them, like a typical implement.

In your last pic, the one that is labeled, let the attachment rotate 90 degrees clockwise and then envision the diggers could be drawn up with the cylinder in place.

BamaRob · May 12, 2006

I could see this thing used with the combination of 3PH lift and with a hydraulic "curl" function potentially being very effective at popping small trees out of the ground. I can imagine moving forward over a small (maybe 2"-3" DBH) sweetgum, dropping this thing down with the "plows" pointed down, pulling forward a bit, then "curl" the "plows" with the hydraulics to get them down into the roots good, then lifting with the 3PH to pop the tree out. The major problem would be extra stubborn trees (sassafras, anyone?), then you'd just be stuck there if you couldn't back out of it.

BR

3RRL · May 12, 2006

Yeah,
What I was getting at "with a little modification" a guy could add lift pins where the hinge now attatches very easily...and use the upper link as you noted on the drawing. Except the "spades would be facing backwards away from the tractor. Lower the 3pt all the way down. You could then back up to a small tree and dig under trapping the root or squeeze between the blades. then use the hydraulic cylinder as a "wedge" with some leverage to pop it out...lift up the 3pt and be on your way. Maybe use both the cylinder and the 3pt for max pressure?