How big of a rock/boulder can a 60 HP tractor push on relatively flat dirt?

[future_vision]

I

The one I used as a kid with my grandpa was 2 inch thick oak planks held together by steel straps with the leading edge a solid piece of steel bent up on the leading edge so it would not dig into the ground. A chain was attached to the center through a clevis which was in turn hooked to a chain we hooked to the tractor draw bar.

This was in MA and despite having a garden in the same place for over 40 years we still "harvested" rocks each spring after plowing up the soil some of which were rather large.

I have a concept for a rock sled jostling around in my mind. Just need to get some steel and a welder and see if the idea holds water.

 

[robpm]

This will give you an idea of what I mostly deal with size-wise. The second picture is of those on the larger end. Of course I hit some outliers that are bigger but not often.

View attachment 751031View attachment 751032

I grew up in central NH, Sanbornton, exit 22 on 93. We had rocks like you have. I have lived in northern NJ for almost the past 40 years. I have it as bad and probably worse than you do regarding rocks. I have them in the sizes you do in galore! My 990 with the Artillian forks will lift around 1500 lbs. The tractor, if it could keep traction would push or pull for ever.

 

[stso9d]

How much wood can a WoodChuck........ B.

my grandson always replies 'about that much'

 

[Zdenek]

If I can't lift a boulder with the bucket, I sometimes rig it after removing the bucket (less weight to lift) to the bar behind the quick attach. I can lift more in that angle, but have to be on fairly level ground, or there is tipping hazard. This works well for placing the boulders on the retaining walls exactly in the right orientation and location. If the boulders are larger, I chain it to the 3pt hitch and partially lift and drag. works much better to pull, but do damage to ground.

 

[Jonsdeere]

Stone boat.... OK. Great idea!
I wonder what a purpose-built stone boat would look like? My guess is it would look a lot like a 50's vintage car hood. Lots of surface area, rounded edges, durable metal, reinforced edges, and hinge points to attach chains. A seriously ugly implement, though.
rScotty

Bolt, not boat.....

 

[future_vision]

Bolt, not boat.....

A stone boat is a sled for large rocks. Are you thinking of driving a bolt or eye hook into the stone and dragging it?

 

[M59]

I need to push some fairly large rocks around. I've was able to push many of them with a 70 hp mini excavator with a blade but I am wondering what I can do with a 60 hp tractor. I'm guessing the weight of the equipment and it being able to maintain traction is probably part of the equation.

Throwing this in as a reference
View attachment 750989

A couple of suggestions for moving rock is order of first to last preference for rocks larger than can be rolled into a front loader bucket and carried away.

Grapple then backhoe with thumb. I have rolled my share of rocks using the backhoe but that is hugely time consuming. Here are some pics of 60 hp M59 weighing 11-12K pounds with loaded rear tires and grapple. Also a pic with rock half in bucket. Back tires kept coming off ground with every bump even with backhoe as ballast on back. Fun times

 

[HAR]

I have pretty much read this thread with interest. Lots of pros & cons.

One thing that I did not see mentioned about forks was the moment arm factor. When you use normal forks, the chance of the load being extended further out on the forks, creates a moment arm that could really be dangerous. The further out on the forks, the less you should be trying to lift. If you do try to use forks, keep the load a close to the tractor as possible, and keep it low to the ground.

Another option mentioned (Post #74 with a photo) was removing the bucket and using the loader boom to raise the load. The photo speaks for it self. While the 'actual load' is close to the ground, the loader boom thinks that the load is directly where the sling attaches to the bucket frame. I.E., it is really high in the air. The chance for both sway and top heavy/COG issues abound.

The stone boat is a really good idea, as pointed out, tractors work best at pulling things. I am not sure about the rest of the country, but here in VT, there are hundreds of potential stone boats everywhere, as the state mandated that heating oil tanks be inspected every 3 years, and those that fail testing must be replaced. There are hundreds of old heating oil tanks around, which with a bit of cutting, would make a very solid and sturdy stone boat with much better metal than ornamental car hood metal. "truenorth" posted photos of using just that idea back in 2010

 

[future_vision]

I have pretty much read this thread with interest. Lots of pros & cons.

One thing that I did not see mentioned about forks was the moment arm factor. When you use normal forks, the chance of the load being extended further out on the forks, creates a moment arm that could really be dangerous. The further out on the forks, the less you should be trying to lift. If you do try to use forks, keep the load a close to the tractor as possible, and keep it low to the ground.

Another option mentioned (Post #74 with a photo) was removing the bucket and using the loader boom to raise the load. The photo speaks for it self. While the 'actual load' is close to the ground, the loader boom thinks that the load is directly where the sling attaches to the bucket frame. I.E., it is really high in the air. The chance for both sway and top heavy/COG issues abound.

The stone boat is a really good idea, as pointed out, tractors work best at pulling things. I am not sure about the rest of the country, but here in VT, there are hundreds of potential stone boats everywhere, as the state mandated that heating oil tanks be inspected every 3 years, and those that fail testing must be replaced. There are hundreds of old heating oil tanks around, which with a bit of cutting, would make a very solid and sturdy stone boat with much better metal than ornamental car hood metal. "truenorth" posted photos of using just that idea back in 2010

Hmm. Used oil tanks. Good idea. Couldn't get images to load in the other post but I am going to look around

 

[FERLING]