Tips for removing rock outcropping in yard

[Ned Hamford]

I was a bit careless with the mower and hit a bit of a rock outcropping, granite, in my yard.  Figuring to get ride of the stone, I started digging... and digging... and digging. Yah, sizeable enough where I think it would weigh in the tons and take industrial machinery to be rid of.  But, I only really care about the bit sticking up and spoiling that spot of earth I could otherwise just roll the mower over. I tried hitting it with a sledgehammer and yup, millimeter gone and flying rock shards... I think that would be a bit too time and labor intensive; and just plain unpleasant work. I didn't really expect it to work, but, you know, had a hammer and some curiosity. 

Any good advice from the collective?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H0TS8I/ref=psdc_8906591011_t1_B000H0XQWW
Toss a rock drill bit in the drill and have at it?

[230RN]

Incorporate into other landscaping?  Need pix.

Pour a concrete post over it and mount a bird feeder or sundial or sculpture on it?

Otherwise, Det....   no, I can't say it.  I'm afraid every time I say "Det..."  you know, more goobermink netsnoops get all excited and hornified and bonerated.

[sumpnz]

Incorporate into other landscaping?  Need pix.

Otherwise, Det....   no, I can't say it.

The may actually be a case where detcord is not appropriate.  Something more powerful appears to be called for.  Perhaps filling a hole drilled in the rock with the aforementioned bit, fill it with ANFO and use the detcord for a detonator.

[Ben]

How about Dexpan? Available on Amazon.

http://www.dexpan.com/dexpan-how-to-use-dexpan-non-explosive-controlled-demolition-agent-breaking.aspx

Home Despot sells something called Ecobust which is supposed to be similar.

[French G.]

Hammer drill, drill a line of holes, drive a drift in to break them. I had a simt problem, hit big sandstone in the garden, dug down two feet, rock still getting bigger, sledgehat until below tiller height. Even with sandstone some significant escape velocities were achieved, wouldn't want to whack granite.

[Andiron]

Dig around the offending rock,  build a fire.  Keep fire hot for hours.  Tie rope to 5 gallon bucket full of water and yank from a safe distance?

I've never tried it,  but I've heard of it done that way.

[RoadKingLarry]

Bring in a bunch of topsoil and raise the ground level above the projection.

[TommyGunn]

Thermonuclear bomb?



(Detcord suggested was already made.  )

[Ned Hamford]

The rock is in the far rear of a 2 acre property behind a storage tent; part of a 5 ft or so gap where the wood line exists.  There is low light and high clay content to the soil; so what does grow is slow and I can see why my father ignored it and just went with the weed wacker when things got out of control.  But I am willing to work a bit to enable future sloth.  

I think I am willing to toss $30 on a rock drill bit. I figure if I can get one good drill hole then all I really need to do is wait till winter and pour some water in the hole and check back later.  

Sadly up in NY we don't see much in the way of high quality 4th of July merry makers; I know the dramatic choices are often the most fun.  

[Unisaw]

Bring in a bunch of topsoil and raise the ground level above the projection.

This.

[HeroHog]

 Set an old toilet over it and add dirt and flowers for a decorative planter! They do it all the time down here...    

[230RN]

Dig around the offending rock,  build a fire.  Keep fire hot for hours.  Tie rope to 5 gallon bucket full of water and yank from a safe distance?

I've never tried it,  but I've heard of it done that way.

Yes, there was mechtech show on TV about explosives which described that process before boomstoffe was in common use.

[Brad Johnson]

Option A) Find some local with a back hoe who's willing to dig it out for a couple hundred in cash and a case of beer?

Option B) Find some kid doing summer yard work who's willing to take a swing at digging it out. Throw him fifty bucks to go at it for half a day and see if it's truly dig-outable or will need larger equipment.

Brad

[Pb]

Set an old toilet over it and add dirt and flowers for a decorative planter! They do it all the time down here...    

Nailed it.

[230RN]

What'd they use the tank lid for?

[French G.]

Snack tray.

[Kingcreek]

What'd they use the tank lid for?

Target practice.

[K Frame]

Go down to your local tool rental place and see what they suggest.

Granite is a very difficult rock to drill with your run of the mill hammer drill.

[Larry Ashcraft]

I've drilled thousands of holes in marble in my years in the trophy business.  I know granite is harder than marble, but the same principals apply.  Use a good masonry bit (I used Starrett) and a high speed drill.  Run water on the hole as you drill and raise the bit every few seconds to cool and clean it.  I know most people would think a slow speed would work better, but in reality, the faster the better.  I can check my drill press for the exact speed if need be.