Teach me your GRM ways- Gigantic rock removal

You guys are the most handy and resourceful people I know, so I'm going to throw this out there... 

My driveway sucks.  Think of it like an 'L', where my garage is inside of the cradle, and the short side of the 'L' is the 2 overhead doors.  Now, right precisely at the 90 degree bend, there is an approx. 10' island that houses a rock that is massive.  Clearly the rock was too big for the previous owners to remove during construction, because it was basically paved around it.  The rock itself is about 8' at its longest, 5' at its widest, and 3' tall above the surface.  It's pyramid-like, which leads me to believe that the old glacier rule applies here- I'm only seeing the small part of it.  

I hate it with every fiber of my existence.  I broke my ankle last year directly because of it, and it's a MASSIVE pain to navigate around, especially with trailers, of which I have 2 of that see regular and repeated use.  I want it gone.  Blasting is not an option due to its proximity to my garage.  Excavation is not an option due to the sheer size of it.  So that leaves some sort of chipping method I think.

I've researched the drill and wedge method, as well as the drill and pour expandable concrete method.  Both would work, but might take forever to do, over a series of probably a million holes to drill.  I'm fine doing it that way, but I'm asking the hive if there's anything less, labor intensive, than those methods?  The thought of drilling hundreds of large diameter holes with a hammer drill makes me not super enthusiastic. 

Thanks in advance.  Please help! 

Best I could come up after you ruled out explosives.

Got anybody that works for the County road department ?

They must do this all the time and would have some ideas  :)

What kind of rock is it? If you heat up some kinds of aggregate rocks, like granite, the different rates of expansion of the component minerals can sometimes make it possible to crumble by hand.

 

Rent a jackhammer. Most tool rental companies and big-box hardware stores have them. Depending on the rock type it will probably take you a couple of days, and the jackhammer will have beat the E36 M3 out of you before it's all said and done. A pneumatic hammer and large air compressor will work much faster than an electric hammer but the electric hammer will get it done. 

...shotgun? :)

Fertilizer and diesel is the GRM way. But the jackhammer is the responsible way. Don't screw around with an electric one. Go to United Rentals and rent a big one you can hardly lift and a big diesel compressor.  And ear protection. And beer and donuts for your patient neighbors.

If you're going to rent a jackhammer, rent one you can sit in. The one in the picture is $430 for 24 hours. Don't go to a big box store, go to the rental companies that rent equipment to construction companies. Like Wagner Rents.

Or...build a temporary protection wall for the garage and explosives are back on the table. I'm assuming that protecting the garage would be less effort than trying to disassemble the rock in other ways.

https://www.eastpointrentals.com/attachments#/hammer

plus

https://www.eastpointrentals.com/largeequipment#/t66 (might want to check with them on which skid steer)

And they deliver.

Basically, look for equipment rental in your area and make some phone calls.

I wonder if you could use a concrete saw and cut slits in it, then fracture it up that way.

Get it down level with the driveway, then incorporate it into the driveway

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

...shotgun? :)

 

Angle grinder!

Mr_Asa said:

I wonder if you could use a concrete saw and cut slits in it, then fracture it up that way.

Get it down level with the driveway, then incorporate it into the driveway

That's what I was trying to think through. Dig down a bit so you can make as horizontal a perimeter cut as you can. Then apply force. 

Keith Tanner said:

If you're going to rent a jackhammer, rent one you can sit in.

THIS.  Having run a 90-lb jack for about 15 minutes, that skidsteer would be worth every penny.  And anything lighter than a 90 is just going to bounce off.

Know thy enemy...I'd dig around the parameter first to confirm the iceberg thesis.

8' X 5' X 3' at 175 Lbs per cubic foot = 21,000 Lbs that you're aware of.

If there isn't much more rock under ground, perhaps you could you dig a pit and slide the bolder into it.

Or, just paint a tunnel on the rock and watch people crash into it

You don't need to remove the whole rock.  Bobcat jackhammer to just below ground level and pave.

Keith Tanner said:

https://www.eastpointrentals.com/attachments#/hammer

plus

https://www.eastpointrentals.com/largeequipment#/t66 (might want to check with them on which skid steer)

And they deliver.

Basically, look for equipment rental in your area and make some phone calls.

You know, I drive by that place literally every day to/from work, and the thought never crossed my mind to rent a jackhammer attached to a bobcat from them...  Duh! 

THANK YOU!  This might not be the most GRM, but it is the Easy Button. 

bluej (Forum Supporter) said:

Mr_Asa said:

I wonder if you could use a concrete saw and cut slits in it, then fracture it up that way.

Get it down level with the driveway, then incorporate it into the driveway

That's what I was trying to think through. Dig down a bit so you can make as horizontal a perimeter cut as you can. Then apply force. 

I am reading "apply force" as chain+pickup+hey y'all watch this

RX Reven' said:

8' X 5' X 3' at 175 Lbs per cubic foot = 21,000 Lbs that you're aware of.

 

If it's a pyramid doesn't that mean it's 1/3 or 1/4 of it?

Either way, my suggestion was to call the local hs football team and tell them this and that you'll donate $1 for every 10 lbs removed.

golfduke said:

THANK YOU!  This might not be the most GRM, but it is the Easy Button. 

It's more GRM than slicing it off with a credit card, at least. :)

Nothing wrong with using the right tool for the job!

Old New Hampshah famahs used to drill or chisel a hole in the top and in da wintah, pour hot watah in 'er.

Water freezes and expanded with icy temps, cracks the rock in half.  Do it all winter and Mothers' Day you may have manageable chunks.

I looked with no success for the comic strip "For Better or worse".  Dad sees a rock on the lawn when mowing, inagine the panels:

1.  Dad pokes at it with a shovel.

2.  Neighbors are called in for guidance.

3.  Guy in a hard hat stops by.

4.  Three guys show up with a bobcat and dig a big hole and the lawn.  No luck.

5.  BIGGER steam shovel rolls in with 5 guys in hard hats.

6.  Rock's gone, 5 dumptrucks fill the hole as Dad forks over a wad of cash.

Last.  Mom& Dad on lawn, Mom's red faced:    

"Next time you see a rock, leave it alone".

Have certified blasters rejected the project? A number of years ago a house down the street was replaced and foundation works required blasting. we'd hear drilling and then the three horns, whomp, and then all clear. This was in a typical suburban neighbourhood so there was houses close by. My motto is everything's worth the powder to blow it to kingdom come, and expertise is used to avoid blowing everything to kingdom come.

Keith Tanner said:

Nothing wrong with using the biggest tool for the job!

I must admit that your version would be a lot more fun than mine. 

In reply to Duke :

Fresh out of high school I spent 3 weeks on a 90-pound jackhammer. They will damn sure take the starch out of your shorts.