Need ideas to build a "stone boat"

[3Ts]

Put "Stone boat" in Google search and you'll get lots of images, from ones used long ago to more modern approaches.

 

[Big Barn]

I may make one someday. It will be a two-piece design, like this old one. No loading needed. Place it around the rock, then pull. It closes under the rock.

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Bruce

I certainly like that design.

 

[Johnv656]

Attaches to 3-point hitch

 

[searcyfarms]

how big are the stones? how about some forks on the back of the tractor/three point, you have more lift capacity, safer, less stress on tractor, less psi on rear wheels

 

[rfc143]

how big are the stones? how about some forks on the back of the tractor/three point, you have more lift capacity, safer, less stress on tractor, less psi on rear wheels

The largest I estimate at 32 cu ft, or around 5000 lbs. Others are variously smaller. The solutions using the three point are less attractive because you need a way to load and unload, and it'd be too time consuming to detach the sled, load it, re-attach it and go. If I had to do that, I'd just pay my excavator guy to ferry them himself. The split boat idea is cool in that you can pull it apart when the stone is where it needs to be. Plus, the ground they're going over is just field turf, so there's no issue with ground damage by sledding them. Some very cool ideas here though.

 

[searcyfarms]

with forks the center of the rock/belly will protrude lower and easy to slide out the forks - you likely wouldnt even had to stop just lower and the stone will drag and you are still moving while the forks slide out unless these are rectangular stones of course ;-) if that is the case, drive astraddle of dirt using it as the high point and drop the forks and keep going or heck if you have a loader make one

 

[jmc]

I like the idea of forks on the 3ph. Forklift (solid) forks, not tubular. Back the forks under it. You'll find other uses for them too. 5k# one- you might have to chain it on, per post #16.

Great thread.

 

[Big Barn]

Normally I’m not big on suggesting so much “travel” time for an excavator but in this case it might warrant it.

Move and stockpile all the material you are able to by whatever means yourself and have the excavator walk the remaining big ones the 150 feet.

 

[bcp]

Normally I’m not big on suggesting so much “travel” time for an excavator but in this case it might warrant it.

Move and stockpile all the material you are able to by whatever means yourself and have the excavator walk the remaining big ones the 150 feet.

An excavator can limit traveling by moving a pile of rocks to full reach ahead, then traveling past them and doing it again. Repeat. Many buckets-full can get moved a distance with only one round trip travel.

Bruce