how to drag a rock sled

[stratton]

What is the best way to pull something when you have a backhoe attached. I have to move some large rocks with my kubota B series. I have a FEL and a BH. The rocks are a little to big to pick up. I was thinking of making a metal rock sled. Just something to roll the rocks on and drag off. The problem is i really don't want to take off the BH. But i dont know where to attach the chains that pull the sled. Is my best option welding on some hooks to the FEL?

 

[Egon]

What's wrong with just using the FEL to move the rocks with?

 

[PerkCon]

Google stone mizers or stone sleds. We use them on site to keep fill contained and drag them with the ex by hooking on to the 'Handle' on the end. Much larger than you need but I believe the design is similar to what you want.

 

[stratton]

I tried using the FEL but it cant pick them up. I can push them, This does a number on the yard, plus i have to cross a asphalt drive. I was hoping that a sled would minimize the damage done. And i thought my physics teacher said pulling is easier then pushing. I wish there was a hooks under the backhoe for pulling.

 

[Grandad4]

I've had the same problem occasionally when the backhoe is mounted on my tractor. We likewise needed a way to hook a log chain to the rear of the tractor to pull something. We ended up looping a length of chain around each side of the rear axle right next to where the backhoe subframe was attached. We took pains to make sure the chain extanding back to the load was securely below the axle for safety. If this were to be needed more often, it would indeed be handy to have attachment hooks in place.

 

[RoyJackson]

I tried using the FEL but it cant pick them up. I can push them, This does a number on the yard, plus i have to cross a asphalt drive. I was hoping that a sled would minimize the damage done. And i thought my physics teacher said pulling is easier then pushing. I wish there was a hooks under the backhoe for pulling.

Did you have to remove your draw bar when the 'hoe is installed?

 

[CurlyDave]

The safety police will be on me for this, but I have been known to wrap the chain around 2 or 3 backhoe teeth and pull. Keep the bucket curled toward you and the boom low. If you were to start going over backwards, you want the bucket to hit the earth before you do a wheelie.

 

[stratton]

The draw bar is still there, But its not lower then the BH. I could weave a chain through but risk damaging something. I dont have a problem with using the teeth on the BH for a anchor point, But i thought it might hurt the BH or hydraulics.

 

[tk1469]

Something I've seen done before is just an old piece of 3/4 inch plywood with a chain attached to the two front corners. The smooth surface makes dragging it easy. Up here in Michigan - we call that a "stone boat". I'd try that before I went thru a big metal fabrication effort.

 

[Big Wave D]

Read on this Forum elsewhere, the guy said that a hood from an original Beetle was great for just such needs. Shape kept rocks in, and metal let it slide easily.

 

[escavader]

do it all the time .I hook a chain up under the hoe[hole where a tow wagon would hook to],other end to rock boat ,so it trailers just behind hoe, Drive up to boulder,set outriggers roll it on rock boat lift outriggers,drive to relocation set outriggers roll it off .It works so sweet!!
ALAN

 

[stratton]

Thats what i wanted to hear!!! Ok now i have a project to work on.

 

[6sunset6]

Read on this Forum elsewhere, the guy said that a hood from an original Beetle was great for just such needs. Shape kept rocks in, and metal let it slide easily.

Second this. Did it all the time when I was a kid. Get one from a really old car.

 

[escavader]

Second this. Did it all the time when I was a kid. Get one from a really old car.

DONE ABOUT 25 LARGE ONES FROM AN F150 HOOD AND ITS COMING D LAMINATED
alan

 

[boggen]

replied to another thread just today about same thing

go to a junk yard. and find some old front hood off of a truck or car that is metal.

if ya think ya need some sides, get yourself some lumber. and do it to it. or if you are a welder, even better.

if ya don't have hooks on the front bucket, and you don't want to take off backhoe. i would say, it be time, to get some hooks welded on.

one hook on rear of sub frame for backhoe. and 2 to 3 hooks on the front bucket.

 

[Tollster]

I built one like this for my BX, I was able to skid 2000 lbs stones uphill, and reposition using these simples tool to make a rock garden. Here you see the skid, chain to hook to BH bucket, and fance post ro reposition the stones as I skidded them backwards down the hill into position. The small/fat end can be alternated in the event you need to steer the load
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/projects/101645d1209670587-pennsylvania-stone-wall-project-motorcycle-wiring-007.jpg]/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/projects/101643d1209670587-pennsylvania-stone-wall-project-motorcycle-wiring-005.jpg

For a full write up on the story visit
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/102305-pennsylvania-stone-wall-project.html

All pulls where done using chain, wrapped around the bucket teeth, using all three teeth, then tension was brought up curling the bucket, and dragged to the location. I found by curling the bucket and keeping the chain fairly short, I could raise the front of the skid preventing additional yard damage and preventing hang ups on uneven turf. It took ever bit to drag the one ton stone, 4 wheel low with diff lock engaged, it was large enough to lift the rear wheels off the ground on my brother in laws 53 HP bota when he had it in the bucket.
-Tol