I need info on placing a very heavy rock...

[skullmug]

I am not in the business, but I found this site and hoped for some info! I live in Colorado, and in the area is an abundance of shale, in huge ammounts! I have a piece of stone, about 3 feet long by 2 feet high, by 4 inches thick into which I carved the house and street address. It weighs about 300 pounds [a guess], and I want to set it upright into the ground. I have used a hammer drill to drill 2 holes into the base of the stone, into which I planned to set rebar, and place the whole thing into the ground,set into concrete.

Anyone there have any other suggestions? I would appreciae the advice! Thanks!

[stxkyboy]

300 lbs isnt a big deal....couple of guys and pry bars.....or u could rent a dingo or bobcat and use straps to manuver it. I just moved a .97 ton boulder with a bobcat today

[Georgiehopper]

Rent an engine hoist...that'll pick it up too.

[BSDeality]

i like the engine hoist idea. you could buy pizza+beer for 2 or 3 guys and pick a sunny afternoon to play in the dirt too.

[Turfdude]

Why not try aheavy duty or appliance dolly to move it into position. If using an appliance dolly, you'll need 2 sheets of plywood to roll it on, otherwise a good dolly w/ pneumatic tires should do the trick.

[mdvaden]

I moved 400 lb. boulders myself with a hand truck.

You and another person can do fine.

Two holes - how big?

Hopefully bigger than 3/8"

I'd either do 5 holes at 3/8", or 2 to 3 holes at 1/2" - assuming the base is set into concrete.

Did you make a jig to hold it in place yet?

I'd consider a scrap sheet of plywood with a 4" section removed to accomodate the height of the stone.

If the stone is horizontal - it will hold itself to the left and right. The plywood, slid over the stone, would hold it forward and back.

That way you would have a jig or brace ready when your concrete goes in.

[Green in Idaho]

We want pictures when you are finished. :)

[capital]

I am not aware of how moderate or server your winters are, but the stone and concrete will contract at different rates. I think you might want to be sure that you do not bind the stone to tightly into the concrete or the conrete will crack your stone.