Moving Really Big Rocks

[RexB]

dam rocks don't need fertilizer to grow either lol.

A log choke-chain worked on these, but yours are harder to get to. Glad they ain't mine! Nice bust-em-up pictures, I'll remember that Betanomit and Dexpan

 

[Gittyup]

Rex,

that's a monster rock too! Where you taking that thing? Is it a Ford or a Chevy?

I just moved two about half that size. I could actually pick them up with the bucket. They were flat enough to just fit in the the bucket. Was quite impressed. Tractor nor loader didn't complain one bit.

 

[JoelD]

Tomorrow I'm gonna try to get a chain around them and pull them out like wisdom teeth with the dozer. If that doesn't work, then drillin and fillin. Wish I could use dynamite, might get me that third garage bay.

 

[RexB]

I was pounding rock before gettin' the tractor and about put my face out. Safety glasses weren't enough, had to get a full face shield. Then a chip hit me in the throat and made me gag. I wonder how the chain-gangs do it, no protective gear, without getting nailed.

Rex, that's a monster rock too! Where you taking that thing? Is it a Ford or a Chevy?

It was a Ford on top when I started, then it rolled over and there was a Chebby hiding!

(No offense to Chevy owners, I like Ford frames better though Chevy has the edge in steering better.)

 

[JoelD]

Great picture, nice set-up, looks like an oasis of fun stuff.

I hate rocks, they were really fun to throw at people as a kid, but now, they are just a sorce of toe stubbing frustration.

Did I mention:

"Today only, 50% off sale on all the rocks you can carry. Pick from any of three, beautiful rocks that remain. 100's of uses, just in time, make the perfect moring for your boat this summer, paint a face on one, sit it in your pasenger seat and use the ride share lane on your way to work, or, have the biggest and best rock at your next rock-figtht (impress the ladies)"

Did I mention I hate rocks.

 

[malk315]

To fit the CK-20 into my 16x12' shed, I had to install a garage door on the 12' side (so now my shed has 3 doors!).

Problem was a 5' x 6' by 1.5 foot (in some areas) section of massive rock protruding right where some of my ramp would need to go.

I thought I'd share a 30 second clip of video of the Kubota mini and hammer my brother brought down. About 3 hours we had it level w/ grade.

CK-20 moved the rubble and it's a good 3 or 4 yard pile I've got of broken up stone. I put in the about 7' high garage door (shed company has custom install they did) and made a 3/4" crushed stone road and my own ramp to the shed. Came out great. Here's video of rock hammering:

http://www.linuxma.com/demolition/kubota_hammer.wmv

Here's the after pictures (the day I was fitting a PHD on the CK-20 for deck work):

http://www.linuxma.com/house_pics/full/DSC00774.jpg

http://www.linuxma.com/house_pics/full/DSC00771.jpg

The focus of those pictures are the machine and not the shed, but you can see how the door came out -- great setup.

That rock had some portions in "sheets" where I was able to smack it w/ a sledge and remove some of it, but after a little ways into it, it got into very hard material that was even tough for the hammer at some points.

The guy behind my fence is complete jerk (all 3 of us that border his lot can't stand him) and one day he said "I don't want to hear no motors on the weekend when I'm off work" or something like that. 3 hours of all of the glasses in the cabinets of the house "ringing" from the hammer vibrations was music to my ears. (I was hoping Earl (that's the jerk's name) was enjoying the melodies also).

 

[JoelD]

Just got done opening up a can of woop *** on those rocks. Pulled-em out like carrots out of a garden, we showed those rocks no mercy. Check out the picks, the equipment worked like a charm, see, I told the boss we could not live without a dozer. The average guy would've just left the perfectly good rock retaining wall that has worked fine for 9 years in place. But not us, good by rock wall and hello block retaining wall that will probably need annual maintenance, who said I don't know what I'm doin?

 

[JoelD]

More pics.

 

[JoelD]

Final pics. Thanks to all for the posts.

 

[JoelD]

To fit the CK-20 into my 16x12' shed, I had to install a garage door on the 12' side (so now my shed has 3 doors!).

Problem was a 5' x 6' by 1.5 foot (in some areas) section of massive rock protruding right where some of my ramp would need to go.

I thought I'd share a 30 second clip of video of the Kubota mini and hammer my brother brought down. About 3 hours we had it level w/ grade.

CK-20 moved the rubble and it's a good 3 or 4 yard pile I've got of broken up stone. I put in the about 7' high garage door (shed company has custom install they did) and made a 3/4" crushed stone road and my own ramp to the shed. Came out great. Here's video of rock hammering:

http://www.linuxma.com/demolition/kubota_hammer.wmv

Here's the after pictures (the day I was fitting a PHD on the CK-20 for deck work):

http://www.linuxma.com/house_pics/full/DSC00774.jpg

http://www.linuxma.com/house_pics/full/DSC00771.jpg

The focus of those pictures are the machine and not the shed, but you can see how the door came out -- great setup.

That rock had some portions in "sheets" where I was able to smack it w/ a sledge and remove some of it, but after a little ways into it, it got into very hard material that was even tough for the hammer at some points.

The guy behind my fence is complete jerk (all 3 of us that border his lot can't stand him) and one day he said "I don't want to hear no motors on the weekend when I'm off work" or something like that. 3 hours of all of the glasses in the cabinets of the house "ringing" from the hammer vibrations was music to my ears. (I was hoping Earl (that's the jerk's name) was enjoying the melodies also).

Excellent video and pics, really nice set up. Thanks for sharing.

Not sure if my neighbors are unhappy or not, I see their lips moving but I can't hear what they are saying over the drone of the equipment.

Joel

 

[streamin]

Hey guys, nice thread! Never new you could split rocks with a chemical.
Joel, how did you get the chain around the rock, just digging?
Just my 2 cents but I hate neighbors that are idiots! I always have to buy enough property so they are far enough away.Life is too short to be worried about the small stuff, keep the noise up...

 

[scuvnut]

I agree. I just sat here and read through this entire thread and took alot of notes. Great posts, great pics. Thank you.

 

[JoelD]

I did my inpersonation of a mole and dug. I pushed on it a couple of times with the dozer to make sure there was actually a bottom to the rock. Then dug underneath with a shsshsshovel (tough word to spit out). fished a wire and then pulled the chain through. Once hooked onto it with the dozer she came out, took a couple of tugs and two angles, but she came out. Then pushed with the dozer like a dog pushing a ball, it kept rolling as I pushed.

I just can not believe anyone would ever settle here with all these stinken rocks.

Glad that one is moved. One more and I'll be putting in the new retaining wall. I'll be sure to post pictures of the new wall when done.

Thanks for the interest.

I learned a lot on this post, more than one way to skin a rock.

Joel

 

[Gittyup]

So, what did you do with the rocks?

 

[JoelD]

I've got a rock grave yard, actually graveyards, I keep pushing them from one place to the other. I've used some for fill. I think I may bury the last one or two as I need loose fill. Problem is, I'll probably hit their brother and sister trying to dig the hole. There is just no winning.

 

[crabjoe]

To fit the CK-20 into my 16x12' shed, I had to install a garage door on the 12' side (so now my shed has 3 doors!).

Hows your shed floor built? I'm in the process of building a shed and was thinking about keeping my CK20 in there.

If needed I can beef up the floor now since the walls aren't up yet. The shed is 13 x 24'. It's sitting in 5 4x4 skids. The floor is 2x4s, 12 inches on center with 3/4" plywood. I've been told by some it should hold the CK20 without a problem.

Thanks!!

 

[Egon]

My back gets sore just thinking of you digging under those rocks.

 

[RexB]

Nice work Joel, stop having so much fun! Ain't our toys great, and if they don't pay for themselves within a few years then they sure payback with enjoyment.

Those are beauty rocks there - your 'graveyard' would sell for a pretty penny in some parts; ~$300 for that big'un you pulled, and mine too that was pictured. I can't move a really big one here, but it's in the woods so it is "scenic". The '66 JD350 could drag it but don't want to cut trail to get there . . .btw, my shop manual sez to leave just a 1"-1 1/2" track sag to keep it from jumping off track or wearing the sprocket teeth.

I gotta' get back to sidewalk digging, you're right the fun never ends

 

[malk315]

My shed is from Postwoodworking of New Hampshire.

It's 4x4's pressure treated skids like yours on pavers at 3/4" crush stone grade (stone under entire shed), and then 2x4's pressure treated floor joists like you but I believe they are 16" on center and 3/4" genuine plywood (not OSB) for decking.

Some areas feel a little soft w/ the tractor, but it's been OK. They gave me a weight rating and I can't remember what it was, but obviously it can handle the ~3000 lb tractor (mower deck and loaded tires get it up there).

I have turfs, so they distribute the load nicely especially the rear of the machine.

I would think w/ 12" apart 2x4 joists and R4's, ag, or turf you'd be fine.

I've been thinking about ripping up the area where the tractor drives over to beef things a bit or possibly even just add another layer of plywood for some insurance. I worry more about the front tires as they have the smallest foot print between two "joists". The rear tires are always supported by 3 or 4 joists across the two tires. So I keep the bucket down at floor level at all times just in case a front tire would hit a potential soft spot just right - I could "back blade" my way backwards and then fix any floor issues

I've had 2 seasons of no issues, so I think I'm set.

I support the center of my ramp w/ paver brick and the section that meets the edge of the shed w/ a 2x6 pressure treated acting as cleat w/ paver bricks in case the screws holding 2x6 to shed every fail -- pavers support the 2x6 "i-beam". So the ramp is on the ground, pavers in the middle, and paver supported 2x6 cleat to side of shed -- all made out of pressure treated. It's solid as a rock.

If I think of it I'll take some pictures of my CK-20's home inside and out -- very comfortable for it.

Winter time she lives in the garage w/ one car left outside (at least when a storm is approaching) so if we get a huge snow storm I don't have to dig my way down from the shed to the driveway -- just plow my way out of the garage.

Enjoy.

 

[crabjoe]

Thanks for the info Eric. I feel much better now, but I'm now thinking about adidng another layer of plywood. Just incase I get lazy and decide to leave the backhoe on.