Time to move a couple small stones...

[hazmat]

OH yeah - and the hyrdaulic hammers do work great on concrete. Never tried it on "real stone"

More pix here (pool demo)

 

[Dougster]

I think I'd go the stone boat method. Perhaps you can excavate slightly (< 1 foot) below the rocks to make them easier to tip onto the stone boat. Then push with tractor. or pull with chain. Something like this

Oh Lordy!!!

At least no problem there not seeing how much more rock is hidden underneath the surface!!!

Dougster

 

[Dougster]

OH yeah - and the hyrdaulic hammers do work great on concrete. Never tried it on "real stone"

Yeah, must admit that I was a bit surprised that the big equipment rental guys did not think that even their biggest track excavator equipped with a rather large and nasty looking hammer would do a good job on solid buried rock. But as I think back to various heavy construction jobs that I was involved in during my previous career... I must admit: they were all drilled and/or blasted.

Dougster

 

[3RRL]

All good points. For better or worse, no need to worry about slope. Where these rocks are and where they're being moved to is all quite flat.

Dougster

Well, that is a relief to know. LOL ... Otherwise we might be reading about you in the "Safety" forum.
You sure have gotten some good suggestion from everybody now.
What are you going to do then?

 

[Dougster]

Well, that is a relief to know. LOL ... Otherwise we might be reading about you in the "Safety" forum.

Well, you may be doing that someday anyway... but probably not on this job!

You sure have gotten some good suggestion from everybody now. What are you going to do then?

My gut tells me to build some serious rental equipment cost into the bid. I'm going over there to the rental place in a few minutes to talk with the manager about what he thinks would move those boulders quickest and for the least total cash outlay. As interesting and useful as it is, I don't think the "drill & split rocks apart" approach is going to win me any points on this job. It also sounds like it's going to take too long as well... at least for a first timer like me and given the need to somehow dispose of the pieces. Other jobs, maybe yes. But this particular client is really thinking "moved" rather than busted apart and I don't want to be the one bidder to say that I can't move them.

That all being said, I am going to offer him numerous options and incentives to let me in there and see what's really going on in the subsoil department. Who knows? Maybe they can be buried after all or moved more easily than thought? Or maybe at least the pieces could be buried once the rocks are split apart? Or... hopefully... I can convince him to leave them there and alter his plans. This goose is far from cooked... and all options remain on the table. Stay tuned for some serious guerilla warfare with those other bidders!

Dougster

 

[EdC]

Whatever you do don't listen to "old miners". With a proper shape charge you can make about 60% of the force go in one direction but that still leaves 40% to go everywhere.

There are chemicals that expand and can be used to break off rocks. Here is one of the sites. How Does Crackamite Work - Chemical Rock Splitting Agent

They have several advantages; the fact that the ATF won't be asking why you are buying explosives is certainly one of them.

 

[civesnedfield]

Doug,
If splitting the boys up is still a thought, I like the feathers and wedges idea. It works I have done it before, it does tahe a while. What I would recommend if you decide to break them up is just a modern method of feathers and wedges, it is called expansion concrete. Great stuff. Step 1) drill holes. Step 2) mix expansion concrete up and pour in holes. Step 3) clean up and goo home for the night. Step 4) Go back to work in the morning and pick up the pieces.

This stuff is a great alternative to blasting, no vibration or stuff flying thru the air, ( I know takes the fun out of it).

Been a while since I have used the stuff but you should be able to google it.

 

[Dougster]

Doug, If splitting the boys up is still a thought, I like the feathers and wedges idea. It works I have done it before, it does tahe a while. What I would recommend if you decide to break them up is just a modern method of feathers and wedges, it is called expansion concrete. Great stuff. Step 1) drill holes. Step 2) mix expansion concrete up and pour in holes. Step 3) clean up and goo home for the night. Step 4) Go back to work in the morning and pick up the pieces. This stuff is a great alternative to blasting, no vibration or stuff flying thru the air, ( I know takes the fun out of it). Been a while since I have used the stuff but you should be able to google it.

I think you and EdC are talking the exact same stuff (or awfully close!)! I'm keeping that option in my back pocket (along with several others) while we continue to pursue the idea of moving the little guys with some large yellow equipment that won't tear up the client's long and very nice driveway like the D4 and track excavator. Along those lines, I'm looking into subcontracting the rocks to a large construction firm with which I have a connection from my former life.

Dougster

 

[civesnedfield]

Yea you are right we are talking about the same type of stuff. It goes by so many names it's crazy. I does work good though. I use to have pictures of what we had done with it. Removed some rocks like the ones you are looking at but they were inside the basement of a building. That too was in a different life.

 

[Jay4200]

OK - I've thought it over at length, and I think you are definately taking the wrong approach. Forget killing yourself with conventional methods that have a slight chance of working. If it was in your own backyard, and you were trying to keep your expense to zero, then I'd say go for it, but since this is a paying job, I'd go right for the easiest method.

Sub it out to a blasting company and have the rocks pulverized. Not only will it be effective, but I can't think of anything that brings fun into a workday as much as blowing things up.

JayC