Bonnie Trenga Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 New question courtesy of hubby: After we determine that there isn't anything under the concrete like a gas line or whatnot (we're having people come out), he wants to know about using a bobcat with a hydraulic hammer. He can rent one. He wants to know how complicated is it to operate considering that he's never used one before. Also, if there is rebar in the concrete, will this machine break it up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Originally posted by Bonnie Trenga New question courtesy of hubby: After we determine that there isn't anything under the concrete like a gas line or whatnot (we're having people come out), he wants to know about using a bobcat with a hydraulic hammer. He can rent one. He wants to know how complicated is it to operate considering that he's never used one before. Also, if there is rebar in the concrete, will this machine break it up? I used a Bobcat a couple years ago to break up a patio and workshop slab. It has a little bit of a learning curve. If at all possible get one with treads instead of tires, they do better in sand and wet areas. It took care of the 4" slab for the workshop and patio.. The rebar was another story. We had to cut it with a torch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Trenga Posted November 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Scott, hubby asks: Can you ask him the rough length and width of the slab and how long it took him. And if the slab I’m going to do is twice as thick does he think it will take twice as long, or will it take even longer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Originally posted by Bonnie Trenga New question courtesy of hubby: After we determine that there isn't anything under the concrete like a gas line or whatnot (we're having people come out), he wants to know about using a bobcat with a hydraulic hammer. He can rent one. He wants to know how complicated is it to operate considering that he's never used one before. Also, if there is rebar in the concrete, will this machine break it up? In my area, it costs about the same amount of money per hour to rent heavy equipment with the operator as it does to rent it without the operator. A pro operator is going to be way, way faster than doing it yourself while learning. That said, every American man ought to spend some quality time messing around with heavy equipment. If he's ever driven a tractor he'll do ok with a bobcat. Just make sure he has plenty of room. (Um, the slab is far away from your house, right?) No, the bobcat won't do much about the rebar. You'll need a torch for that. They're cheap to rent. After about 5 minutes of instruction, anyone can cut with one. (Welding with it is more tricky.) I suggest that if he's the one to drive the bobcat, you get to be the one to use the torch. - Jim Katen, Oregon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Manor Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Jim said: That said, every American man ought to spend some quality time messing around with heavy equipment....... Indeed, there's something about diesel and hydraulics! I spent 5 years working at a shipping terminal operating 80,000 lb capacity lift trucks - I felt like a little kid!!! -Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Trenga Posted November 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Hmm, what do you think about a 5-foot, 2-inch woman operating one of those? A bit dangerous, maybe? Especially if I find myself proofreading any words inside the vehicle (can't help it). Sincerely, She Who Wishes She Were Taller and Beefier and a Bit Less Proofready Sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Hi Bonnie, We used to use a Bobcat to clear the parking lot of snow at the PMO at Ft. Carson and I had a couple of 5'3" tall lady MP's that had no problem driving the thing. OT - OF!!! M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Jim's right. Pay someone to get rid of the thing for you. The learning curve for operating--not just joyriding and playing, but operating--a Bobcat is at least a couple of hours. They can turn over, too, which is not something you want to experience. I used to have a John Deere 450 bulldozer. You made it move forward with the throttle, or accelerator. One day I hopped on a guy's Caterpillar D6 thinking I was a pro, and not realizing the damn thing had a deaccelerator rather than an accelerator. I came within about an eighth of an inch of sending that D6 tumbling down a mountain as a result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Originally posted by Bain Jim's right. Pay someone to get rid of the thing for you. The learning curve for operating--not just joyriding and playing, but operating--a Bobcat is at least a couple of hours. On the other hand, it's cheaper than Disneyland -- and more fun. They can turn over, too, which is not something you want to experience. Still better than the lines at Space Mountain. I used to have a John Deere 450 bulldozer. You made it move forward with the throttle, or accelerator. One day I hopped on a guy's Caterpillar D6 thinking I was a pro, and not realizing the damn thing had a deaccelerator rather than an accelerator. I came within about an eighth of an inch of sending that D6 tumbling down a mountain as a result. But now you know better. Isn't that cool? - Jim Katen, Oregon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Trenga Posted March 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Update! We had it removed. It was 5 feet deep! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 You sure Jimmy Hoffa isn't in the middle of that concrete? OT - OF!!! M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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