Rock Sledge?

[MikeTipton]

We live in the Ozarks of Arkansas. My wife is in the process of landscaping several of our 7.5 acres. Towards the end of last summer we got smart and bought a BX24 (as with many owners, our only regret is not buying it sooner!). Rocks are one of the few things that the Ozarks has lots of. She has been using smaller boulders for raised flower beds. But she would really like to collect "big" rocks. We now have a thumb for the BX24 so we can lift big rocks. She has been told that the way to move the bigger rocks is with sledge built of sheet steel and to pull it behind the BX24 or the lawn tractor.

Has anyone built or seen one of these? Does anyone have any pictures? Suggestions?

Regards,

Mike T.
BX24, brush hog, thumb, brush rack

 

[JerryG]

It is commonly called a rock boat in many areas of the country. An old car hood from the 40s or 50s works really well. They are thicker steel than newer car hoods and are turned up on the sides and front. A good cheap one can be had at old time auto salvage places. You can usually get a beat up one for nearly nothing. BTW, welcome to TBN.

 

[MikeD74T]

Handy Farm Devices - Cobleigh - chapter 7 Some old time samples, will give you the general idea.
Here's another with links Dharma Bums: Stone Boat MikeD74T

 

[sandman2234]

I came up with this one in 1980, shortly after purchasing the power unit. The lady on it was a friends mother, who has left this world for better places.
The hood was from a VW and did a right respectable job of pulling whatever you talked into sitting on it.
David from jax

Camera was a 110 instamatic, no flash, picture was later scanned to the 'net.
David

 

[johnk]

That pic was like a flash from the past...... Cool..

 

[HomeBrew2]

... David from jax ...

I tip my hat to the lady and hoist my glass to you. GREAT pic !!! Some people just know how to live

 

[sandman2234]

Old memories are great!
David from jax

 

[jbrumberg]

MikeTipton:

Welcome to TBN ! We call them stone boats around here. I used one for many years before it finally gave out. They really work . They will also compact tilled and planted lawn and gravel run driveways if you can keep the front edge up. Jay

 

[BTDT]

Has anyone built or seen one of these? Does anyone have any pictures? Suggestions?


Sounds like the perfect opportunity to suggest getting that FEL.
It comes with it's own stone boat (bucket).

 

[dillo99]

I use an old car hood like suggested above. You can move much larger rocks than you can load into the fel. Roll them on and then drag them away. I just poked holes in it and then I hook my chain up to the holes. Just go to a junk yard and ask them for the thickest car hood they have around.