Are rocks heavy or what ?

First one · Jan 1, 2010

Earlier this fall I went down back to get some big rocks out of my blueberry field.

I only have my FEL to work with ,but still was very impressed with what I could pry out of the ground.I was dissapointed that I couldn't pick them up though.

Most of the rocks where about 2' -3' in size. After cranking up the HP had no problems rolling them over by rolling my FEL

, but still would not pick them up.

Yesterday I went down [after the ground froze ] and pushed them over to the rock walls that border my field.

I guess the weight of rocks can be deceiving. I know that when my flail mower came I picked it up, and that was around 700lbs. It lifted that like nothing. So what was that saying "How much does a hen weigh?"

gerard · Jan 1, 2010

So far I've found that if it fits in my bucket without falling out, I can lift it. If's it's too big to even fit, I probably can't lift it anyway. A 3 foot rock can easily go 1000lbs depending on configuration. I, like you, just push them away when too big to lift!! When too big to push I get my neighbor with his 65hp white 4wd and let HIM push it

Reg · Jan 1, 2010

First one said:
Earlier this fall I went down back to get some big rocks out of my blueberry field.I only have my FEL to work with ,but still was very impressed with what I could pry out of the ground.I was dissapointed that I couldn't pick them up though. Most of the rocks where about 2' -3' in size. After cranking up the HP had no problems rolling them over by rolling my FEL , but still would not pick them up. Yesterday I went down [after the ground froze ] and pushed them over to the rock walls that border my field. I guess the weight of rocks can be deceiving. I know that when my flail mower came I picked it up, and that was around 700lbs. It lifted that like nothing. So what was that saying "How much does a hen weigh?"

If you have a hoe on the back there is a little trick;
Get the rock (stump, or whatever) into the bucket.
Put the hoe stabilizers down all the way.
Then try to lift the FEL.
Lift the hoe's stabilizer arms.
You may not have MUCH clearance under the bucket, but if you are careful that couple of inches might be enough to let you get where you need to go to dump it.
Probably safer to go backwards if there are bumps and dips, less likely to dig in and stop you.
Another trick is to travel with the hoe's boom extended as far back and straight out as you can - every little bit can help.

markct · Jan 1, 2010

easiest and least stress on machine option is build a stone boat. its just a wood platform with a metal plate on the front to hook to and act like a ski to keep the front edge from digging in. then you can roll on almost as big of rock as you can imagine, and hook it to the 3 pt and away ya go. i have moved a few rocks so big my gradall couldnt lift them, and that has just over 8000lbs lift at the bucket. i rolled them onto the stone boat with our IH td9b dozer and dragged them away. if your cheap and frugal an old car hood makes a dandy stone boat! i have a hood from a wrecked 95 ford pickup that i use

First one · Jan 1, 2010

A stone boat sounds like the ticket. Would like to make one out of wood ,but have never seen one . As far as the size and what to use -like 2x10s or what? I'll have to find a pic. of one to see how to do it, thanks!

Matt_Jr · Jan 1, 2010

Oooh, good trick there Reg. Thanks for posting. I bet it's hard as heck on hydraulic hoses when you hit a bump

.

Luremaker · Jan 1, 2010

Here's a quick and simple stone boat design.

First one · Jan 1, 2010

Luremaker!
I was just scratching my head thinking "now where am I going to find a pic. of one" You're a mind reader!! Thanks

markct · Jan 1, 2010

thats an interesting design, around here all the stoneboats i ever saw were flat, just a 1/4 thick plate beveled up on the front, about a foot wide bent at maybe 20 degrees, usualy a hole torched in the center to pull it, and flat wide like 2 by 10s bolted to it, kept the weight spread out over the whole width so didnt make ruts dragging like the one in the pictures would, and is alot lower to roll a rock onto since its just the thickness of the boards. for fast and easy and cheap i would just get a car hood, they slide alot easier than anything wood, and are usualy free or i suppose you could ask at a salvage yard or body shop, i imagine they would give or sell for next to nothing a damaged one since they cant do much else with it. they are virtualy unbreakable too, they flex and wrinkle some but still work great