| Author |
Message |
    
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 256
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 9:44 am: | 
|
What would be the best way to dig out a "giant" rock buried in my back yard? The exposed part of the rock looks like the size of a big beach ball. Last fall, I tested the depth, and dug about 8 inches of dirt and did not hit bottom.
To make this task easier, someone at work suggested I make a fire on top of it and when it gets very hot, to pour cold water on it. It will break in half. Well, I’m no pyromaniac, so, I am skeptical about going that route.
Should I dig it out whole? Should I try to break it into smaller pieces? Does anyone have a Bobcat backhoe I can borrow? (j/k).
|
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10577
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 9:50 am: |
|
Is it ledge or a rock? I know there are some ledge conditions south of Baker along and near Ridgewood Rd.
Do you have a blasting license?  |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4032
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:13 am: |
|
Glaciers transported some large rocks into this area. If you can exhume the stone, it will probably make and attractive landscaping rock. OTOH, it might weigh 1,000 pounds.
Given the likely rock type (schist or basalt) and the size, I doubt you will have much luck with the heat and shatter approach. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 960
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:38 am: |
|
Yeah - I think geologists refer to them as (seriously) "erratics" or something like that.
There are many of these giant rocks in the middle of regular soil left over from the ice age.
Olmstead had quite a time with them in Central Park and ended up leaving most of them and using them as focal points. |
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 258
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
|
Hmmm, being that it is from the ice age, maybe I will ask a landscaper how much it would cost to dig it out whole. I could then sell it on eBay. Maybe GoldenPalace.com will pay a handsome sum for it.  |
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 259
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:05 am: |
|
Bob K, what's "ledge"? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10581
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:21 am: |
|
Basically rock formations that are part of the earths crust. Sometimes the upper layers are worn away or geological forces push the rock upwards and it becomes exposed. Look at the rock face of some mountains.
|
Gatica™
Citizen
Username: Katracho
Post Number: 261
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:32 am: |
|
Bobk, thanks.
I guess it's ledge. All I can tell from looking at it is that it's big, gray, and it's in the way. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 30
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 1:23 pm: |
|
For information on ledges, see "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040613/ |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page