OK, guys, thanks. I did some reading of my own, it seems that people
recommend fabric slings over chains, so I will try slings first. One
way or another, we will get them to move.

i

On 2010-04-14, Jim Wilkins wrote:
On Apr 13, 10:36?pm, Ignoramus11847 ignoramus11...@NOSPAM.
11847.invalid wrote:
My neighbor is doing some landscaping and I offered him help in moving
a few rocks. These vary in weight between 400 and 1000 lbs.

I have a truck, chains, engine hoist (crane), chain puller etc. If I
can lift those rocks, I could just put them on a catr or something, or
just drag.

Ordinarily lifting such things would not be a problem, but I do not
know how I can grab relatively round objects that are without lifting
eyes or corners. I figure that someone must have invented a great way
to grab rocks with just chain and grab hooks. Any ideas?

i

I've moved rocks up to 1100 Lbs on this shop crane with extra wheels
added to run on dirt:
http://picasaweb.google.com/KB1DAL/W...51034176921634

Each rock is different, but in general I wrap a chain around it and
test which way it slides off, then hook on another chain between the
points where it slips to hold it. My 5' sling chains have a grab hook
on one end and a shackle on the other. The shackle can be connected
anywhere to take up slack. They are really helpful to turn the chain
into a net. When you buy shackles be sure the pins and eyes fit
through the chain. There are only a few combinations that work.

The 1100 Lb rock was roughly football shaped, the chain would slip off
either end. IIRC I looped a chain around each end and joined the loops
at the top. That is a 20' (?) chain with grab hooks on both ends. If
it had been rounder I would have connected the two loops with short
chains down low. When pulled tight that makes a ring of chain around
the rock hung from four supports, and the chains hang in place (from
the crane hook) during setup.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrel_hitch

jsw