Automotive Lifts

Can I use a small air hammer to break up rocks?

I have some rocks in my yard that are too large for me to dig up / lift. I have a good compressor and was considering buying an air hammer (the small automotive kind) that run in the $15-40 range. I am hoping to be able to go out there with face/eye protection and break apart the rock so I can get it out of the ground. Will this work? I really dont want to rent large equipment or spend a lot.

This is a related question, but is for cement:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsqCXkUVlEWZ63it3rw20pUjzKIX?qid=20070801225649AAd1Z7I

I kinda doubt that a small air hammer is going to have the power you'll need to break up large rocks. You'll just wear it (and you) both out trying to do that. How large of a rock are you talking? You can use a leverage system to move them, which would be cheap. A long 2x6 and some sort of block to get the leverage should do it, provding they're not great big honkin boulders. Too, if there is a tree nearby, you could always get a come-a-long to pull them, and even lift them in to a truck or trailer or whatever. Just keep hands and toes clear! Properly wrap the boulder, lift it up with the come-a-long, then back the truck or trailer underneath it and let the rock down in to the truck. I've done something like that before... not too hard... and very inexpensive. Dont lift the rock any higher than necessary tho.... just a few inches higher than the bed of the truck or trailer....

As for your concrete question... I still say you'll have the same problem.... the concrete is probably well aged, so it will more than likely be tough as nails....... hittin it with one of those little air hammers will probably be like hittin an anvil with a cottonball.

Bosch and DeWalt both make a good SDS hammer drill. It is more expensive, but I really think it would work better. Get the hammer drill, and drill a series of holes in the rock and/or concrete in a straight line....... preferably with a bit that can penetrate all the way through, or atleast most of the way through..... once you've drilled all the way across, smack it a few good times with a sledge hammer and it should break with no problem. I've busted through many a concrete floor, driveway, and wall with this method. It's not to tough, and it'll sure as heck be faster than one of these little air hammers......

You might also see if your local equipment rental co has a hammer drill with SDS chuck that you can rent....

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