I have a boulder about 3' around. Google estimates its weight between 4000-5000 pounds.

I'd like to move it about 15 feet, slightly downhill. I thought of using a strap around a tree trunk with a wire or chain come along to a strap around the rock. I'd have trust in the straps, but not so sure about cable or chain come along.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

ETA, the friction against the ground could be prohibitive, but maybe I should strap it high in hopes of rolling it?

Or should I "call the man"?

The fact that you are even asking us is a clear indication that you should CALL THE MAN!

I mean that with all due respect. A boulder that large could kill you or destroy something in its path. Now if you happen to have a friend with a CAT 320 that might be the way to go…

Ask the Egyptians.

years ago, I helped a neighbor move a rock about that size. Use a series of 4x8 plywood for it to slide on--makes it much easier than dragging on the ground. a truck winch would be useful, but we just used a come-along. It is not s quick process.

Once you get that big rock moving, you’ve got to get it stopped again.

I’d have to echo the above and say, “Call the man!”

We had some large rocks, far too heavy to lift, in our front flower beds.
Gave them to my dad. We used an engine hoist and backed a trailer underneath them.

He looked up how to strap them to lift, took a few attempts to get the 'sling' right, but it worked well.

Yeah, might be a "call the man" job.

It has an irregular shape with flatish sides, so I don't think it would roll out of control and the slope I mentioned is very slight.

My main concern would be the cable or chain snapping and having a whip effect.

To add to the compilation, the back yard is fenced, so no heavy equipment can get back there. "The Man" will have to use hand tools too.

In my career I did a lot of rigging and heavy equipment moving, but all the necessary tools were at hand. And, I'm 67 years old now...

Hell I destroyed a rotator cuff just carrying buckets of rocks. Can't imagine what I would tear up on a rock that big!!

Would you be able to pull the rock closer to the tree, or just pulling the tree closer to the rock (and you!)?

It may cost a bit to call 'the man' or you can leave it there for free.

The ACME catalog recommends using TNT or industrial strength Liquid Hole.

I’ve done plenty of work with rocks and boulders. The easiest way to do it would be to rent a small excavator or a skid steer. That’s a lot more fun than calling someone else in, and much easier than messing with a come-a-long and straps. The weight of the boulder isn’t going to let it slide too well. And rolling it without a machine it isn’t going to be to easy either. But that’s just me. At least if you rent a machine for a short period of time, you could always try to do a couple of other small projects while you have it.

Boulder in question.

I want to move just past that scraggly tree that I'll be taking down.

If you have suitable length 4-6" diameter sawn tree trunks or logs available, lever it up a couple of inches, one side at a time and slide them under, then roll it along the cylinders. as it clears the back roller, move that roller to the front to distribute the weight as it goes along. Definitely keep an eye on the grade, and have some chocks handy, if it starts to get away from you, slide the rocks in place to stop the motion. Aim for slow and steady, little bit at a time rather than a "full pull." a digging bar or two should be on hand, both to lever up the rock, and to moderate the roll.

This is NOT a one-person job! You do NOT want your leg or torso to become one of the rollers! Additionally, unless it is a very slight grade, I'd hire somebody with suitable power equipment, a loader big enough so it fits more than halfway into the bucket, or a excavator. You could probably also drag it with a tractor and enough chain or strap to form a harness.

I think it would be doable after viewing the picture. The fact that it sit up on top of the ground vs. being half buried gives me hope.

As to how, that I don't know.

Rent a jack hammer. That rock has had a good life

Front end loader?


or this: iykyk

I'd check the local yard and garden / landscaping
center.
Enrique and pedro will do it for $55.00 in 20 minutes.

^^^^


"Call los hombres!"

rent a skid steer, you can lift one end with the bucket and flip it end for end, when you get close with the correct side facing up you can push it into place