Time to move a couple small stones...

[Dougster]

Okay highly experienced ladies and gentlemen... how do I move these two little guys???

I estimate weights of ~6,000 and ~10,000 lbs respectively. Must be moved about 20 feet. No possibility of burying these two. Ground underneath them is 96% solid rock as little as 12 inches down. Competition plans to use a dozer.

Any ideas?

Dougster

 

[john_bud]

Use a stone boat. (google it)


I'm not sure that you will have an easy time rolling them onto the boat.

 

[vallyfarm]

I'm guessing from the photo that you will be clearing the whole area for some other purpose. The easy way to clear that mess out would be with a bulldoser that has a root rake on it. Any of them big enough to carry a root rake should easily push those pebbles around. Mike

 

[BarryinMN]

Since digging down is not feasible rock it with the BH or loader curl & try to roll it.

Rolling with a TLB or a dozer will take less power & do less ground damage than simply shoving them. I assume the owner wants to save the tree so tearing up the root system is not an option.

They would be really easy to grab them with the grapple rock bucket rotate the rock partially on the bucket & drag them backwards the 20' will also keep positive control if there are slopes - hard surfaces or something that would allow the rock take off on its own.

 

[BarryinMN]

Another idea is have your local blacksmith shop weld up a 10,000 - 15,000 lb capacity 3pt bale fork. Mine is made of 3" reinforced square tube & used truck axles.

Idea is to dead lift most or the whole thing & cart it off. Weight prevents wasting energy spinning wheels just grab something for the nose to hold it down when overloading the rear end.

 

[AlanB]

You pretty sure you know where the bottom is?

 

[Dougster]

Use a stone boat. (google it) I'm not sure that you will have an easy time rolling them onto the boat.

Interesting JB...

But how does this help???

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

I'm guessing from the photo that you will be clearing the whole area for some other purpose. The easy way to clear that mess out would be with a bulldoser that has a root rake on it. Any of them big enough to carry a root rake should easily push those pebbles around. Mike

Hi Mike - Pretty much correct. The trees are being taken out by my partner firm. It's up to me to move these rocks. Just wondering if I should even try with my Mahindra... or save time and frustration by going directly to a rental... either a dozer or a large commercial backhoe. I think a track hoe would be nice, but probably overkill.

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Since digging down is not feasible rock it with the BH or loader curl & try to roll it. Rolling with a TLB or a dozer will take less power & do less ground damage than simply shoving them. I assume the owner wants to save the tree so tearing up the root system is not an option. They would be really easy to grab them with the grapple rock bucket rotate the rock partially on the bucket & drag them backwards the 20' will also keep positive control if there are slopes - hard surfaces or something that would allow the rock take off on its own.

No slopes... and those trees are coming out (in fact, I need to pull out the stumps too). I'm really just trying to get a feel for whether or not a need a rental machine... and, if so, what size and type would be best. I am currently thinking full-size backhoe... but I found it interesting that one competitor planned to use a dozer. Could it be that the full-sized (13-15 KLB) 4x4 commercial backhoe could not get enough grip with its tires to slide a 10,000 lb rock or maybe roll it using the BH?

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

Another idea is have your local blacksmith shop weld up a 10,000 - 15,000 lb capacity 3pt bale fork. Mine is made of 3" reinforced square tube & used truck axles. Idea is to dead lift most or the whole thing & cart it off. Weight prevents wasting energy spinning wheels just grab something for the nose to hold it down when overloading the rear end.

My 3-point is not that powerful... and my tractor is not that heavy. 3-point lift capability is only 2,865 lbs. That larger rock... and probably even the smaller one... wouldn't even know that I was there.

Use of my own tractor, if even remotely possible, would require some serious creativity!!!

Dougster