How much does a rock weigh?

[bgauch]

Does anyone know of a simple formula to estimate the weight of a rock? My truck can probably safely hold about 1500 lbs. I want to move some rocks and it would be much easier to drive it across my land than roll it with levers by hand. They're your standard run-of-the-mill granite, probably about 4'x2'x3'. I'm betting they're heavier than 1500, but I have no real idea. I would rather err on the side of caution, instead of risking my truck.

Bill Gauch.

[Plant_Guy]

The weight of any given object is its density multiplied by the volume it occupies. On the net, there are density tables for common types of rock, so this should be an easy proposition. Remember that some rocks such as pumice are filled with air pockets, so are much lighter than say solid granite. Anyway, go with a heavier density to err on the side of caution.

TomG. - Plant_Guy

[sewfarsewgood]

Sand and gravel averages out at about 1.2 tons per cubic yard. thats 27 cubic feet. A rock will be heavier as it has no air spaces.

[Plant_Guy]

OK,

Let's kill this one right now. Density of granite varies considerably, but the average density of granite is 166.5 pounds per cubic foot, so with 24 cubic feet of the stuff, you would have a payload of about 4000 pounds. Now, if it is black granite(the heavy stuff), then you would have a payload of 4587 pounds (approximately).

TomG. - Granite_Guy

[Tom]

Getting those rocks moved are not worth the risk of your truck or your back.

Find someone with a backhoe on a tractor that can pick them up, haul them to the yard, and place them where you want them. Most medium sized towns have a rental place where you can rent a tractor by the hour if you can't find someone willing to do the work.

Other than that you may be able to build some type of skid that would get the things moved, but handling them before and after the move are big risks.

[bgauch]

Thanks for the info. I might try to roll them with a couple of pry bars or 2x4s. The first 20' will be very easy (straight down a 70 deg. pitch). After that, it will be a pain. I suppose that's why laborers get paid so much. For some reason, you can't rent a tractor or bobcat or anything like that for less than a day. The cheapest I have seen is about $250/day on the weekends or $100 mid-week. I have a lot of stuff (dirt, logs, rocks, etc.) to move, so I will probably take a couple days off and rent one for a Thurs./Fri. and then spend the weekend setting up every thing for mist, cold frames, transplant beds, parking/shipping area. Man, there is so much to do. Its strange though, I enjoy the thought of spending 4 or 5 twelve-hour days, working my butt off. Dirty, smelly, sweatty... covered with all the grit and grease and grime there is. Man, is there anything better? Alright, now I am in a great mood.

Bill Gauch.

[sewfarsewgood]

I have a Ford 4000 diesel tractor with a front end loader. There is no way my tractor and it is a full sized tractor is going to lift or pull around a 4000 lb rock. First, the rock in the bucket would lift the rear wheels off the ground enough that there would be no traction, even with the wheels having water in them. Might stay on the ground with my heaviest implement attached to 3-point hitch. What you are in need of is a true front end loader or a bulldozer to move rocks of that size around. Have you considered a jackhammer to make smaller rocks??

[bgauch]

A jackhammer?!? No way! I'll just get out my star chisel and 4lb. sledge. :) Ok, seriously, I want to use these as part of a foundation planting/baricade to keep out unwanted guests. Also, I may incorporate a pond and waterfall, so I would like them "whole." I have a bunch of smaller stones that I will probably use to make a wall. Hey, maybe I should start price shopping for a team of oxen.

Bill Gauch.

[sewfarsewgood]

Never invest in anything that needs painting or that you have to feed.

Here in Texas a bulldozer with operator can be had for a minimum of $250.00 and $50.00 an hour after tht. You get 5 hours of bulldozer time for your $250.00. It is amazing all the things a dozer can do in 5 hours time. Figure out all the things you need done and do it at once and stand by and watch it happen. A good sized backhoe and loader is about the same per hour. Your pond can get dug, a road improved, etc.:D

[sewfarsewgood]

Rhode Island is so small that moving a rock of that size and building the second largest pond in the dstate may require an environmental impact statement. Don't run afoul of the state guys!!

Do you realize that Texas has numerous counties bigger than the state of Rhode Island??:)

[bgauch]

You know, Rhode Island is even smaller than it looks on a map because, if you box in our borders we are probably about 50% water. Then, consider that 60% of the land area in the state is rural/agricultural. With all that said, I am willing to bet that any one politician in this state is more corrupt than all the politicains in all of Texas. I don't know how much national attention it has gotten, but here in RI, Operation Plunderdome is big news. The mayor of Providence and half his staff have been indighted on numerous counts of bribery, racketeering, extortion, etc. Just last week, a smaller town (Lincoln) had 2 of its town officials arrested and indighted. With all that being said, I love this state. 4 distinct seasons, beach everywhere, Zone 6-7 climate, lots of really nice houses, sail boats, fishing, etc., etc., etc. We have a little bit of everything here. Oh yeah, and, last I heard, we are the second most expensive travel destination in the country. I highly recommend everyone come up and see RI. I've never seen anyplace as nice. The only place that came close was Kauai, HI.

Anyway, as far as the impact statement goes, as long as I stay 50' from my bog, I can do anything I want. Hey, I could probably even get some funding from the state if I were to "restore" some wetlands. :)

Bill Gauch.

[sewfarsewgood]

Went there in two of your 4 seasons - July through November. Hot and cold and frequently wet off the coastline.

I wonder if a restaurant named "Solaces" is still in business in Newport. Great cheap lobster and Sangria. YMMMMM

Good luck with the rock.

[bgauch]

I don't think I've ever heard of Solaces. There is a "Salas' Resturant" which is still in business. They do have good, relativly cheap food. (Cheap lobster is a very relative term.) I've gotten live chicken lobster (1-1.25lbs) from a seafood store for $3.99/lb. I also ate dinner at a place that had a 5 pounder for $70. As for the rock... Thanks. I'm gonna need all the luck I can get.

Bill Gauch.

[sewfarsewgood]

It was 31 years ago I was there. I remember the pronunciation not the spelling. Good cheap food was what Officer Candidates could afford.