Getting through ledge

[NEUSWEDE]

I have a job that I need to get through ledge have to do a test pit still to see how much but from where the property is and tell tale signs sticking through the grass I know its there.
Question is will a rock hammer on a large excavator work? Blasting is out of the question based on location. I know the ledge in this area tends to be flaky but I know there will be some big pieces. I know I need to go down 14' but how much of that is ledge is unknown currently but I am thinking around 10'. This is not a pit but more taking it out of a hill.
I am sure some of you have ran into this before so just looking for input.

[ARP]

If the rock is flaky like you mentioned, I assume that it is a hard type of shale. If so, depending on size of the property, a 325 or 330 size excavator with a hammer should just about demolish that much ledge. If the site isn't that large, a 160 excavator with hammer will do the job, but will just take longer. Soften the rock up a little with the hammer then just peel it back with the teeth on the bucket (plan on going through a few teeth).

Since you are in Maine, how much granite ledge is there versus the flaky rock? Granite is tough to hammer through, even with a 330 size excavator. Something to think about.

[NEUSWEDE]

If the rock is flaky like you mentioned, I assume that it is a hard type of shale. If so, depending on size of the property, a 325 or 330 size excavator with a hammer should just about demolish that much ledge. If the site isn't that large, a 160 excavator with hammer will do the job, but will just take longer. Soften the rock up a little with the hammer then just peel it back with the teeth on the bucket (plan on going through a few teeth).

Since you are in Maine, how much granite ledge is there versus the flaky rock? Granite is tough to hammer through, even with a 330 size excavator. Something to think about.

This property is less than a mile from the ocean no granite here just the shale and ledge. 160 is the biggest I could get in there.

[Construct'O]

If it is shale or ledge i would get a frost tooth or ripper tooth and rip it then use the bucket.Would be faster then using a hammer.Good luck:usflag:

[Dirtman2007]

If the rock is flaky like you mentioned, I assume that it is a hard type of shale. If so, depending on size of the property, a 325 or 330 size excavator with a hammer should just about demolish that much ledge. If the site isn't that large, a 160 excavator with hammer will do the job, but will just take longer. Soften the rock up a little with the hammer then just peel it back with the teeth on the bucket (plan on going through a few teeth).

Since you are in Maine, how much granite ledge is there versus the flaky rock? Granite is tough to hammer through, even with a 330 size excavator. Something to think about.

Raleigh is the rock capital of NC I think, we have all types of rock, mostly sandstone, but we also have a ton of granite. there is nothing worse than having a hammer that is too small, I remember one of the first rock jobs I ran into digging a basement, not a big area but I could not dig it with the regualar bucket so we rented a tak 135 mini with a hammer. after about 30 minutes we had made a call for a 200 john deere with a hoe ram lol. Mini excavators are not made for busting rock in the ground.
I've come to the conclusion that you can never have a hammer too big, as long as it will fit on the jobsite.

[ARP]

Well it sounds like a 160 is your ticket. Just make sure they put some sharp teeth on it :rolleyes:. If it helps any, I've used a John Deere 160 several times and I would have no problem using that machine on this job. Post pics!

[Gravel Rat]

Dig what ever you can if you need a machine with a poker rent one. If its shattered rock or what we call rotten rock it can be dug but takes a long time.