Hi Adam. I don't have any experience with an excavator but I do with forklifts. A number of years ago I led a project to encircle a yard with a few hundred of these blocks and what I will say is that if you push the hydraulics of a machine at capacity for an extended period of time your machine will suffer for it. The other thing I'll say don't lift when your equipment is on a slope, it's so easy to tip those machines when you're pushing weight capacity. Avoid injury.
I set those blocks all the time with my kubota kx057-5. I do not use a strap or chain i have a bearing swivel pelican hook that i shackle to the hook on back of my bucket, if you have your bucket on the machine you can use the curl of the bucket to help you pick it. Anyway thought i would share this info. Also try putting your blade behind you it acts as a counterweight. I know most youtube operators think you need to pick over the blade but its actually not the case, My buddy has an e60 bobcat and we build alot of retaining walls with these exact blocks and you can pick them and carry them around. 🤷 (I sent you a vid on IG) Hope this helps Adam 👊
Thanks Adam, literally starting a retaining wall project for a friend this week and learned a lot from this video. Probably saved me a day of fumbling.
Thanks for posting. I have a 6Ton mini and want to use these blocks in a materials storage bin system. It looks like I'll have to borrow a larger machine for this!
Chain.... Adam find a way to screw some plywood down on your metal deck it will save it in long run from scratches, holes and dints. Sacrificed the plywood. Good job!
Use a chain as a last resort. A link will break without warning. If a strap frays, take it out of service. A Kevlar sleeve on the strap where you’re picking the load is helpful (when basketing the sling). Your machine should’ve come with a load chart telling you how much weight, and how far away you can be.
GOOOOOOOD SUNDAY MORNING EVERYONE!!!…Wow 😮 I would’ve thought it would’ve picked them up no problem. Goes to show what I know. Sounds like a heck of a project too Looking forward to watching you do it Have a day
Interesting... have a Komatsu pc50uu with the offset boom (which makes the boom a bit heavier) which weighs around 1200lbs that I have used to build walls of those blocks two high to reinforce creek banks and had no problem. I guess the boom geometry of that offset style ( the boom hinges from right beside the cab like bigger machines instead of out in front) makes the difference.
You need to get rid of the strap and attach a lifting hook directly to the boom and use that to hook and lift the block. It will give you the strength to lift and the height which in this case is just the inches that you need. Perhaps use a double over a 3-foot chain or even a 2-foot one to place the hook onto the lifting arm.
need to use boom and not stick to lift it vertical; need to be in tight as you can get it. and the curl of the bucket has the most power, not the roll out. no chain loop on your bucket ? you get it in tight as possible and curl the bucket to lift it, which brings it in even closer, then boom it up. my TB260 will handle them, but only stacking 2 high.
Correct. I just hauled a semi load of them from the ready mix they were made at. Big loader with a nice grade 100 chain. The loader guy didn't need help hooking or unhooking! He was good! 18:42
Matt. We use a Komatsu PC100 to set this size block, our machine handles them with ease and we can max boom out setting block with no issues, we also use the 4 ft block at 2300lb each which our E50 can handle, we have swivel hook set up and a shackle that pins directly to our coupler eye so you can grab a block or drop it and never get out of the seat of the machine, you might try that setup and that will eliminate that extra length with a chain or strap
Short chain with hook. You can get creative and put a bungee to the back of the hook and it will rotate away and unhook when you remove the weight. You won't need to get off the machine. Its how i set them with my KX-057
Use a rated soft shackle between your machine and the block to increase your lift height. You could also raise the machine. You should be able to place pretty close with trailer dump. For the third course you would be going from the upper to the lower. You could also use your machine and neighbor Doug's to place the blocks.
Hey Adam, That is going to be a great project. Looking forward to it. I would use the strap. Out of curiosity how much so those blocks cost? Also in your configuration the strap is Not 6400lbs. That strap is 6400lbs strength in a straight light "one eye on the object one on the machine" If you "choke" the object its rated capacity is around 75-80% less than 6400 But your using a "basket" style lift the way you are doing it so that actually Doubles the capacity so it would be 12,800lbs "for a normal basket". Hope that helps. All the information i just gave can be easily checked online at any Sling manufacture.
Hey bud try putting your bucket back on and hooking the strap on a tooth of your bucket. So you can use your curl to get you some more height. And if you’re needing more counter weight to track around try moving it with your blade behind you. We have a hitachi 26 jd 35 cat 304 and a cat 306 and we used to have a jd50
Around here you can have the supplier will deliver and set them for a nominal fee. Also if you are going to stockpile them you need to get them closer to the site.
In the steel beam business we use straps for lifting lighter beams, and steel cable for heavier ones. Renting a crane might be better than an excavator, it can stay in one place and swing all the blocks into place fairly easily.
I was just thinking Mike Morgan could possibly help you out with a safe way to move the blocks. I believe when he built the wood bunker the place he bought the blocks from delivered and set them in place for him.
I've built a couple of retaining walls with 4500lb cement blocks - Prep the area (road base gravel/level/compact) then as the trucks come with the blocks use a crane to drop them into place. fastest way anyways - I had B trains carrying 20 blocks each and as they showed up the crane would unload them and place the blocks quickly. I couldn't imagine the poor efficiency of carrying 1 or 2 blocks at a time with a dump trailer.
Good morning Adam, a learning experience is never a Bust. Maybe you just need to hire some Egyptians, I’ve read that they have some success moving big blocks in the past. 😂 Have a wonderful Productive Week. 😊👍👍👍
I had a kabota 121-3 and I could pick up and walk with 3600 lbs. understanding geometry and lifting ability of the machine is what matters. keep it safe.
Interesting, never knew they were called mafia blocks and I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio! Looked at using these for a project as they pretty much give them away, but the issue was the cost of hauling and moving without any of the equipment that you have. That made it cost prohibitive having to pay for the hauling and moving.
Hello , I have the 55-9 which is more powerful than your model which is an urban excavator. But a real 6 ton like the 55-9 handles it well. That said, it is better to work with the blade lowered, which limits movement. Good luck 👍👏🤙
So I need a favor if you are able... kind of a physics question... is your lift capacity higher or lower when the blade is infront or behind the machine? ... if about the same can you try putting the blade to the rear and hang a bunch of weight off of the rear face of the blade (strap a large log to it)... obviously adding the factory rear cab weights is preferred but I have a feeling that adding a 3-500lb log to the blade out to the rear would have a similar stability improvement. Please give it a shot next time you are out moving logs etc. Thanks🎉
I've never heard the name Mafia block - had to look it up! I hope you get this project going soon - looks interesting! 👍 God bless you and your family. Thanks for great videos!! 👍🙏♥️ May I ask - why not dump the blocks closer to the area where you're going to use them - save rental time moving them later?
We have a Kubota 057 that lifts them, and we have had kx 121 -3 in past that lifted them, didn't like it..but did it.. enough to unload off truck and set 1st course..057 model no problem..not off side tho..
If you backed your trailer into that hillside with the excavator on top of the hill you could have gotten it off the trailer onto the ground and then moved it. The deeper down you are digging/lifting from the more power the excavator will have.
Does the mafia block need to be that size for the retaining wall project? I imagine you could get them in 2'x2'x4' long blocks and build just as solid retaining wall.
Maybe you can put de first row of Block by the side of your garage and the second and third row by the top of the Hill and Just drop the Block in the hole so you dont have to lift the Block but Just drop them. And if you open your bucket you gonna win 12 to 16 inch of lift capacity. Sorry for my english its not my principal language
I move 4' mafia blocks all day long with a bobcat e-35 you can move those with yours it all comes down to how close you work to the machine the more stick you have out the less you can lift. you should be able to do two courses with your set up, possibly more if you can work from the top of the wall you are building, always keep blade toward your work in this situation as it provides extra stabilization when it is down, and will stop a block from swinging back into your machine
Might be a stupid question I'm sure you've thought of it but back here in this area of the country they make different links Like 4 footers 5 footers and 6' blocks Maybe that maybe that would help you out Being able to use your own equipment Thanks for the video
My brother's Kubota Kx121-3 weighs 10k lbs and will lift 7k lbs. Also, lift the block then drive the trailer out from under it. Do not swing that over the side of the tracks! 🤠👍
Does your supplier not offer delivery and setting of all of the blocks at one time? Your sight would have to be ready to go but I'd think that wouldn't be a bad idea anyway. Maybe, you covered this and I missed it.
Move closer to block and put jersey barrier block parallel to and close 1' to the excavator blade and you might be able to lift enough to set second row/course DO NOT TRY TO EXTEND BOOM instead track forward to place block when clear of first course and maybe you will be able to advoid a rental it will be slow but it's your time so out of pocket costs will be minimized. Good Luck Ray Stormont
Hi Adam. Someone else made an excellent suggestion, which could save you a lot of time and effort. Ask the block suppliers if they have a flatbed crane truck that could deliver a load of blocks and lift them into place. That may cost less than renting a larger excavator. Dig out the area around the garage, move the fill to where you need it, and then finish the parking area after you complete the new structure.
If they have 2x2x4 blocks that would be nice and easy. According to specs your machine should have been able to lift it, with possibly a few hundred lbs to spare. Maybe the blocks weigh a little more than expected, or your particular machines hydraulic relief set point is a bit lower than avg.
Adam, if you watch Mike Morgan's video today he might have the perfect machine to address your issue. Anyway, stay safe healthy and dry. Bill H from Cranberry Township
I have 2 observations...1) Y'all are lifting from way far out in front of yourselves...🤷♂️ and 2) surely you can get smaller blocks? Or, hell, why not cast your own with that funky concrete mixer of yours? 😁
A lot of your problem in lifting these is you are lifting to far away from center of gravity. But you don’t have to rent a machine. Doug’s skid steer will lift and place them easily
Dump all the blocks near your garage and get Doug's Bobcat excavator and combine with yours to lift blocks on top of each other. In other words, use the two machines you have available instead on renting one larger machine. Just be ready to return the favor to Doug! 2X 6T = 12T capacity. A little more cumbersome but not if two minds like you and Doug combine your efforts.
When we moved 1800 blocks of those one year, with a truck and trailer, unloading with a wheel loader, we started with straps, but concrete is very rough on straps and we ended up using chains instead, it was also way faster that with straps. What you need to focus on when lifting with the excav is you want the block as close to the machine as possible, and you want the lifting happen on the big arm directly on the machine, you dont want to lift with small digging/curling arm and keep the block as close to the machine as possible
Are these blocks cheaper than to cast a retaining wall. If not - do you plan to use these because of the road alongside is not yours and you are prohibited to put a permanent wall this close to the road? Im a retired forklift driver for 50 years and know how you can max out on lifting capacity and get away with it for only one time , but you are to do it some 10-20 times or more - thats a lot to ask of your 6T excavator. I would even call it abuse ( if not rape - lol). So yes - sometimes you need to call in the cavalry and either upgrade or rent a bigger excavator OR get a semitruck with a crane to pick the blocks up at the dealer and put them in place for you when unloading. Keep up the good work - greetings from Denmark
Just thinking about you stock piling those so far from where you need them, I would think you're making extra work for yourself trying to get them back up to your house where you need them.
I don't know Adam, looks like a great opportunity for you and Doug to tell you wives that you need a bigger and more powerful machine. Just sayin :-) seriously, great video.
Hi Adam. I don't have any experience with an excavator but I do with forklifts. A number of years ago I led a project to encircle a yard with a few hundred of these blocks and what I will say is that if you push the hydraulics of a machine at capacity for an extended period of time your machine will suffer for it. The other thing I'll say don't lift when your equipment is on a slope, it's so easy to tip those machines when you're pushing weight capacity. Avoid injury.
Dude,
You''re a quick learner and a smart one at that, too !!
You seem to be going about this project the right way.
I am very glad.
I set those blocks all the time with my kubota kx057-5.
I do not use a strap or chain i have a bearing swivel pelican hook that i shackle to the hook on back of my bucket, if you have your bucket on the machine you can use the curl of the bucket to help you pick it. Anyway thought i would share this info. Also try putting your blade behind you it acts as a counterweight. I know most youtube operators think you need to pick over the blade but its actually not the case, My buddy has an e60 bobcat and we build alot of retaining walls with these exact blocks and you can pick them and carry them around. 🤷 (I sent you a vid on IG) Hope this helps Adam 👊
The blade on the back as counterweight makes sense. Thanks.
@HometownAcres and you can hand weight on the blade as well.
Neighbor Doug's loader should also be able to lift them as well.
@@HometownAcres👊
Thanks Adam, literally starting a retaining wall project for a friend this week and learned a lot from this video. Probably saved me a day of fumbling.
Thanks. Happy to help.
Thanks for posting. I have a 6Ton mini and want to use these blocks in a materials storage bin system. It looks like I'll have to borrow a larger machine for this!
Chain.... Adam find a way to screw some plywood down on your metal deck it will save it in long run from scratches, holes and dints. Sacrificed the plywood. Good job!
Use a chain as a last resort. A link will break without warning. If a strap frays, take it out of service. A Kevlar sleeve on the strap where you’re picking the load is helpful (when basketing the sling). Your machine should’ve come with a load chart telling you how much weight, and how far away you can be.
GOOOOOOOD
SUNDAY MORNING EVERYONE!!!…Wow 😮 I would’ve thought it would’ve picked them up no problem. Goes to show what I know. Sounds like a heck of a project too
Looking forward to watching you do it
Have a day
Thank you for sharing!
You said it, "Sometimes you just need a bigger machine!" Good luck with the projects going forward
agree with Doug chains
Interesting... have a Komatsu pc50uu with the offset boom (which makes the boom a bit heavier) which weighs around 1200lbs that I have used to build walls of those blocks two high to reinforce creek banks and had no problem. I guess the boom geometry of that offset style ( the boom hinges from right beside the cab like bigger machines instead of out in front) makes the difference.
You need to get rid of the strap and attach a lifting hook directly to the boom and use that to hook and lift the block. It will give you the strength to lift and the height which in this case is just the inches that you need. Perhaps use a double over a 3-foot chain or even a 2-foot one to place the hook onto the lifting arm.
need to use boom and not stick to lift it vertical; need to be in tight as you can get it. and the curl of the bucket has the most power, not the roll out. no chain loop on your bucket ? you get it in tight as possible and curl the bucket to lift it, which brings it in even closer, then boom it up. my TB260 will handle them, but only stacking 2 high.
Looks like a fun project!
Dirt Perfect only uses chains to move the blocks for retaining walls. He has a ton of videos on laying those types of walls. Great video.
Correct.
I just hauled a semi load of them from the ready mix they were made at.
Big loader with a nice grade 100 chain.
The loader guy didn't need help hooking or unhooking! He was good! 18:42
What about the high pressure gas line in the area?
I will be outside of the 25’ right of way
Matt. We use a Komatsu PC100 to set this size block, our machine handles them with ease and we can max boom out setting block with no issues, we also use the 4 ft block at 2300lb each which our E50 can handle, we have swivel hook set up and a shackle that pins directly to our coupler eye so you can grab a block or drop it and never get out of the seat of the machine, you might try that setup and that will eliminate that extra length with a chain or strap
may i humbly suggest useing the bucket break out force . keep up the great work
Short chain with hook. You can get creative and put a bungee to the back of the hook and it will rotate away and unhook when you remove the weight. You won't need to get off the machine. Its how i set them with my KX-057
A sacrificial sheet of plywood in that trailer bed would be my suggestion .
(Or two)
That’s not a bad idea.
You can put a strap around the boom (where the boom and arm connect) and it will pick more weight.
Have a great day Adam,God Bless you all!!!❤😊
Use a rated soft shackle between your machine and the block to increase your lift height. You could also raise the machine. You should be able to place pretty close with trailer dump. For the third course you would be going from the upper to the lower. You could also use your machine and neighbor Doug's to place the blocks.
Hey Adam, That is going to be a great project. Looking forward to it. I would use the strap. Out of curiosity how much so those blocks cost?
Also in your configuration the strap is Not 6400lbs. That strap is 6400lbs strength in a straight light "one eye on the object one on the machine"
If you "choke" the object its rated capacity is around 75-80% less than 6400
But your using a "basket" style lift the way you are doing it so that actually Doubles the capacity so it would be 12,800lbs "for a normal basket". Hope that helps. All the information i just gave can be easily checked online at any Sling manufacture.
Good information. Thank you for sharing.
Hey bud try putting your bucket back on and hooking the strap on a tooth of your bucket. So you can use your curl to get you some more height. And if you’re needing more counter weight to track around try moving it with your blade behind you. We have a hitachi 26 jd 35 cat 304 and a cat 306 and we used to have a jd50
Around here you can have the supplier will deliver and set them for a nominal fee. Also if you are going to stockpile them you need to get them closer to the site.
Excellent advice!!
In the steel beam business we use straps for lifting lighter beams, and steel cable for heavier ones. Renting a crane might be better than an excavator, it can stay in one place and swing all the blocks into place fairly easily.
Nylon sling or steel cable all day. Im going with what the crane operators use. Rated for vertical lifting.
So are grade 80 and 100 chain.
Chain can handle abrasion MUCH better than nylon slings or wire rope sling.
@@haroldphipps3457 so either one will work as long as its rated for it. Slings have all the rating on them. Its easier to misuse a chain.
I was just thinking Mike Morgan could possibly help you out with a safe way to move the blocks. I believe when he built the wood bunker the place he bought the blocks from delivered and set them in place for him.
I've built a couple of retaining walls with 4500lb cement blocks - Prep the area (road base gravel/level/compact) then as the trucks come with the blocks use a crane to drop them into place. fastest way anyways - I had B trains carrying 20 blocks each and as they showed up the crane would unload them and place the blocks quickly. I couldn't imagine the poor efficiency of carrying 1 or 2 blocks at a time with a dump trailer.
Good morning Adam, a learning experience is never a Bust. Maybe you just need to hire some Egyptians, I’ve read that they have some success moving big blocks in the past. 😂 Have a wonderful Productive Week. 😊👍👍👍
But there may have been a large number of them on the job site. Buying lunch for all of them would be a problem.
I had a kabota 121-3 and I could pick up and walk with 3600 lbs. understanding geometry and lifting ability of the machine is what matters. keep it safe.
Hello Adam, You might want to consider 4' x 2' x 2' blocks. You can do a base o 6 footers with a second row of 4 footers. Just a thought.
There are also 4’ versions of those blocks out there.
You might find those blocks cheeper at a Richie brothers auction .
Interesting, never knew they were called mafia blocks and I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio!
Looked at using these for a project as they pretty much give them away, but the issue was the cost of hauling and moving without any of the equipment that you have. That made it cost prohibitive having to pay for the hauling and moving.
Hello , I have the 55-9 which is more powerful than your model which is an urban excavator. But a real 6 ton like the 55-9 handles it well. That said, it is better to work with the blade lowered, which limits movement. Good luck 👍👏🤙
Use The boom to lift. Put the strap on one of the sides on the top of the boom where the pin for the stick is.
It will work for what your doing.
So I need a favor if you are able... kind of a physics question... is your lift capacity higher or lower when the blade is infront or behind the machine? ... if about the same can you try putting the blade to the rear and hang a bunch of weight off of the rear face of the blade (strap a large log to it)... obviously adding the factory rear cab weights is preferred but I have a feeling that adding a 3-500lb log to the blade out to the rear would have a similar stability improvement. Please give it a shot next time you are out moving logs etc. Thanks🎉
a big skid loader will stack them - did a bunker with my 262b cat - 2 rows high. If you have a buddy with a skid loader might save you a rental
I've never heard the name Mafia block - had to look it up! I hope you get this project going soon - looks interesting! 👍 God bless you and your family. Thanks for great videos!! 👍🙏♥️
May I ask - why not dump the blocks closer to the area where you're going to use them - save rental time moving them later?
I do not know how soon I’ll be getting to this project and I did not want them in the way of the shop.
@@HometownAcres Good reason - I knew you had one!! 😉👍♥️🙏 But, don't make us wait long! 😉😄
We have a Kubota 057 that lifts them, and we have had kx 121 -3 in past that lifted them, didn't like it..but did it.. enough to unload off truck and set 1st course..057 model no problem..not off side tho..
Get the site already and then go rent a bigger machine for a day to place your blocks
I would try putting the sling at the end of the boom it should give more lifting capacity and being closer to the machine
What about your Air conditioned lawnmower?
Its lift capacity is only 2680lbs. A 1000lbs shy of the 3600lbs these blocks weigh.
If you backed your trailer into that hillside with the excavator on top of the hill you could have gotten it off the trailer onto the ground and then moved it. The deeper down you are digging/lifting from the more power the excavator will have.
Does the mafia block need to be that size for the retaining wall project? I imagine you could get them in 2'x2'x4' long blocks and build just as solid retaining wall.
2’x2’x6’ is the most commonly available size and easier to source.
at around video12:30 you could pull the trailer out from under and just put it down but there isnt anything else you could do with it
Maybe you can put de first row of Block by the side of your garage and the second and third row by the top of the Hill and Just drop the Block in the hole so you dont have to lift the Block but Just drop them. And if you open your bucket you gonna win 12 to 16 inch of lift capacity. Sorry for my english its not my principal language
I move 4' mafia blocks all day long with a bobcat e-35 you can move those with yours it all comes down to how close you work to the machine the more stick you have out the less you can lift. you should be able to do two courses with your set up, possibly more if you can work from the top of the wall you are building, always keep blade toward your work in this situation as it provides extra stabilization when it is down, and will stop a block from swinging back into your machine
Might be a stupid question I'm sure you've thought of it but back here in this area of the country they make different links Like 4 footers 5 footers and 6' blocks Maybe that maybe that would help you out Being able to use your own equipment Thanks for the video
Avanti has lifting capacity over 4k lbs. Your videos are Awesome !!
That avanti in the video that outdoors with the morgans just posted today looks like it would be the best machine for this job!
Yeah, that could be another machine to use for this project besides a larger excavator.
Try Doug's T770 track loader. It should do the trick.
Yeah, but I think it carries them too close to the cab.
Mafia blocks. HaHa, that's funny. Never heard them called that before.
Neighbor Dougs bobcat CTL should pick that up fairly easy.
Get close to it use curl of bucket to lift
My brother's Kubota Kx121-3 weighs 10k lbs and will lift 7k lbs. Also, lift the block then drive the trailer out from under it. Do not swing that over the side of the tracks! 🤠👍
No, it can not lift 7k...it can lift just over 4k
Specs say 4100lbs and thats best case with the load as close and low as possible. Kubota probably underrates by a bit, but not that much.
Does your supplier not offer delivery and setting of all of the blocks at one time? Your sight would have to be ready to go but I'd think that wouldn't be a bad idea anyway. Maybe, you covered this and I missed it.
Can you get the blocks with a lift point at each end so that you and Doug could work in tandem ?
Hang a bunch of weight on the blade, lift the block on the opposite side and track backwards.
I like chains over straps because they’re much tougher.
Move closer to block and put jersey barrier block parallel to and close 1' to the excavator blade and you might be able to lift enough to set second row/course DO NOT TRY TO EXTEND BOOM instead track forward to place block when clear of first course and maybe you will be able to advoid a rental it will be slow but it's your time so out of pocket costs will be minimized. Good Luck Ray Stormont
What about a 4' block?
The second row can be those blocks that are half size. That will work ok.
Chain but get secure grade it won't stretch
Hello Adam. If you bought shorter blocks, your machine could move and stack them.
Shorter blocks were not available at the place I bought them from.
Hi Adam. Someone else made an excellent suggestion, which could save you a lot of time and effort. Ask the block suppliers if they have a flatbed crane truck that could deliver a load of blocks and lift them into place. That may cost less than renting a larger excavator.
Dig out the area around the garage, move the fill to where you need it, and then finish the parking area after you complete the new structure.
Adam, what size trailer is that? Seems like it worked out well for you over the years moving material and machines
7x14
What about building a Gabion wall?
I think you can manage with your excavator: go up the trail and then set them down from there, 2nd row no problem
Neighbor Doug’s SkidSteer?
hook it to the thumb get it in closer to you
You mentioned stockpiling them in the wood yard to move at a later date. Looks a little far from the project to move one at a time? 🤷♂️
Generally, skid steers can lift between 1,250 and 4,200 pounds, depending on the skid steer size, make, and model.
If they have 2x2x4 blocks that would be nice and easy. According to specs your machine should have been able to lift it, with possibly a few hundred lbs to spare. Maybe the blocks weigh a little more than expected, or your particular machines hydraulic relief set point is a bit lower than avg.
Max lifting is as close to the machine as possible. they should both lift that!
I think you and Spicer Designs are in competition with each other lol
Put a bigger shackle on the block and try again lifting from the shackle then your lifting from a few inches above the block
Would Doug's sid loader lift them better
Probably, but you’re carrying it so close to the cab that the block could swing into the cab or the glass.
14:03
Mister, can I axxe you a question :
"What does the manual for the excavator say as far the the lifting capacity is concerned ?"
Don’t dump the blocks so far away from the job site. Lots of wasted time and fuel to move them what appears to be a quite a long distance
If you have a five or six ton machine, maybe look into getting the half size mafia blocks there aren’t as long
Adam, if you watch Mike Morgan's video today he might have the perfect machine to address your issue. Anyway, stay safe healthy and dry. Bill H from Cranberry Township
Appreciate it Bill. Thanks.
Doesn’t Doug have a skid steer you could borrow
I have 2 observations...1) Y'all are lifting from way far out in front of yourselves...🤷♂️ and 2) surely you can get smaller blocks? Or, hell, why not cast your own with that funky concrete mixer of yours? 😁
Chains all day long Adam.
A lot of your problem in lifting these is you are lifting to far away from center of gravity. But you don’t have to rent a machine. Doug’s skid steer will lift and place them easily
They may have 4'ers in Erie if they dont have them locally
Dump all the blocks near your garage and get Doug's Bobcat excavator and combine with yours to lift blocks on top of each other. In other words, use the two machines you have available instead on renting one larger machine. Just be ready to return the favor to Doug! 2X 6T = 12T capacity. A little more cumbersome but not if two minds like you and Doug combine your efforts.
Not really a bust; just learned you'll need a bigger machine to efficiently move those blocks.
With the chain you can go higher.
Chain all the way. Much longer lasting.
When we moved 1800 blocks of those one year, with a truck and trailer, unloading with a wheel loader, we started with straps, but concrete is very rough on straps and we ended up using chains instead, it was also way faster that with straps.
What you need to focus on when lifting with the excav is you want the block as close to the machine as possible, and you want the lifting happen on the big arm directly on the machine, you dont want to lift with small digging/curling arm and keep the block as close to the machine as possible
Chain!
Are these blocks cheaper than to cast a retaining wall. If not - do you plan to use these because of the road alongside is not yours and you are prohibited to put a permanent wall this close to the road?
Im a retired forklift driver for 50 years and know how you can max out on lifting capacity and get away with it for only one time , but you are to do it some 10-20 times or more - thats a lot to ask of your 6T excavator. I would even call it abuse ( if not rape - lol).
So yes - sometimes you need to call in the cavalry and either upgrade or rent a bigger excavator
OR get a semitruck with a crane to pick the blocks up at the dealer and put them in place for you when unloading.
Keep up the good work - greetings from Denmark
Just thinking about you stock piling those so far from where you need them, I would think you're making extra work for yourself trying to get them back up to your house where you need them.
I don't know Adam, looks like a great opportunity for you and Doug to tell you wives that you need a bigger and more powerful machine. Just sayin :-) seriously, great video.
You should have given Kyle and his Kymron R14G a swing at this!!! This project would be done by now! 🤣
lol yeah the gasser
Mafia blocks? I’ve never heard them called that before.
@11:41 “That’s what she said!”