Time to move a couple small stones...
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lug nut
Silver Member
If the trees are gonna have to come down too, I would go for the track hoe. If for nothing else but the cool factor of knocking down some trees and digging up some rocks with a huge toy.
Ha!!!schmism said:
Great idea... but client is not going to go for that if the rocks can be pulled or pushed 20 feet out of the way. This property has huge rocks all over it everywhere. Moving rather than removing makes the most sense here. I'm just trying to figure out what equipment will do it best! Dougster
No question that would be a lot of fun... but as a practical matter, the trees have no place to fall without potentially damaging a building or other trees that are staying. Also, I am not insured for tree removal unless it is already on the ground or small enough to be pushed down by my own tractor.lug nut said:If the trees are gonna have to come down too, I would go for the track hoe. If for nothing else but the cool factor of knocking down some trees and digging up some rocks with a huge toy.
Quest for fun aside, it's best that my tree removal associate be allowed to do his own thing under his own insurance. Dougster
AlanB
Elite Member
Dougster said:Ha!!!
Dougster
I guess I am missing something here, does the client want to use the rocks somewhere else?
I have not done it per se, but I would think in 4 hours work, I could split those rocks down to a size to work with your equipment.
It would take me more then 4 hours to get the rental stuff worked out and on site.
So long is it was ok if they were smaller, that would probably be my approach.
Can you say BIG hammerdrill
Hi Alan - The client doesn't really care whether his property contains 1,619 very large rocks or 1,617 very large rocks... it's all the same to him.AlanB said:I guess I am missing something here, does the client want to use the rocks somewhere else? I have not done it per se, but I would think in 4 hours work, I could split those rocks down to a size to work with your equipment. It would take me more then 4 hours to get the rental stuff worked out and on site. So long is it was ok if they were smaller, that would probably be my approach. Can you say BIG hammerdrill
Not to put you on the spot here, but could you expand a bit on your idea about splitting these rocks up by myself? Over at the CAT commercial equipment rental place, they talked me out of trying to use any of the equipment they had to offer... and directed me instead to a company west of here that specializes in rock drilling (this related to another 'rocky" job). If there is a way I can do this economically by myself, I'd be quite interested. I'd even be willing to purchase equipment since this rock problem is apparently going to become a recurring theme.
Dougster
AlanB
Elite Member
Really what Schmism said. Feathers and wedges (which I have no experience with) and big hammer drill (which I have some experience with)
The process is pretty straight forward.
Look for a fault line in the rock if possible, and start from there.
Drill a series of holes across that fault (or just create your own fault with the holes)
Drive something into the hole to make the rock seperate. (this is the feathers and wedges part, I am sure google would go a long way) or you could fill with water and then shoot CO2 in there as well.
But the short version is, split those rocks into littler rocks then move them with what you have.
Or maybe, drill the fault line, then rent a bobcat with a hammer and use it to exaggerate the fault and split the rock.
If it was me, it would be a trip to HF for a BIG hammer drill, and some long bits.
Or, You could also saw cut it with a diamond or abrasive blade, then sheet it off.
You may end up doing this no matter what (as may the guy that said dozer) when you find that rock goes 15' underground....
Do they "wiggle" at all?
Something like this or Bigger
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
The process is pretty straight forward.
Look for a fault line in the rock if possible, and start from there.
Drill a series of holes across that fault (or just create your own fault with the holes)
Drive something into the hole to make the rock seperate. (this is the feathers and wedges part, I am sure google would go a long way) or you could fill with water and then shoot CO2 in there as well.
But the short version is, split those rocks into littler rocks then move them with what you have.
Or maybe, drill the fault line, then rent a bobcat with a hammer and use it to exaggerate the fault and split the rock.
If it was me, it would be a trip to HF for a BIG hammer drill, and some long bits.
Or, You could also saw cut it with a diamond or abrasive blade, then sheet it off.
You may end up doing this no matter what (as may the guy that said dozer) when you find that rock goes 15' underground....
Do they "wiggle" at all?
Something like this or Bigger
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
Thanks Alan. I'll do some further investigation into this possibility. Never had a need to do this sort of thing before... but now every third job seems to involve some solid or large rock removal-related work. I bought a jackhammer for breaking up concrete and asphalt... but have nothing appropriate for solid rock. Apparently drilling and splitting is much preferred over hammering (even with a high-flow skidsteer and quick attach hammer)... so I'll investigate what it would take me to go that route without having to use a costly specialty subcontractor.AlanB said:But the short version is, split those rocks into littler rocks then move them with what you have. Or maybe, drill the fault line, then rent a bobcat with a hammer and use it to exaggerate the fault and split the rock. If it was me, it would be a trip to HF for a BIG hammer drill, and some long bits. Or, You could also saw cut it with a diamond or abrasive blade, then sheet it off. You may end up doing this no matter what (as may the guy that said dozer) when you find that rock goes 15' underground....
Only when I tickle them!AlanB said:
Dougster
3RRL
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Dougster,
Another thing to consider is using leverage to move the rocks. I saw a video of an old guy move huge rocks by placing pebbles under them and using leverage with pry bars and such. It was amazing. Wish I kept the link now.
Be creative in your thinking. Some of your future customers may not want the rocks destroyed, but rather moved for landscape ... whatever? Leverage stuff you could use with your tractor for future jobs like this.
For example, some kind of see-saw that you can activate with the weight of your tractor or fel. Then prop the rock up in increments for easier rolling/pushing over?
... just a thought.
Another thing to consider is using leverage to move the rocks. I saw a video of an old guy move huge rocks by placing pebbles under them and using leverage with pry bars and such. It was amazing. Wish I kept the link now.
Be creative in your thinking. Some of your future customers may not want the rocks destroyed, but rather moved for landscape ... whatever? Leverage stuff you could use with your tractor for future jobs like this.
For example, some kind of see-saw that you can activate with the weight of your tractor or fel. Then prop the rock up in increments for easier rolling/pushing over?
... just a thought.