5 Tips for Moving Large Rocks, Stones and Concrete Blocks
Updated: May 13, 2024
Avoid back injury (and mashed toes!) when moving flagstones, stone steps and other heavy materials with these pro tips.
You don’t have to risk injuring your back or your toes when moving heavy materials amid a landscaping project. Here, a landscaping pro shows you five ways to move stone slabs and blocks safely and more easily by using a dolly, plastic pipe and special lifting techniques.
Use a Dolly
The nice thing about a dolly is that you don’t have to hoist a heavy object as high as you would with a wheelbarrow. And with the dolly’s two wheels and lower center of gravity, the load is much more stable. We used a dolly for moving a 250-lb. plate compactor from the truck to the excavation, for transporting large flagstones across lawns and for hauling stacks of brick and block to their destination.
For heavy outdoor uses like these, rent a dolly that has large pneumatic tires. They roll more easily over surfaces that are rough or soft (grass). Make sure the tires are correctly inflated or you’ll get a flat!
Walk backward and pull the loaded dolly up a hill or stairs.You’ll have more leverage and better control. And rest the handle on your thigh to support the weight when you have to take a quick break. That way you won’t need to tip the dolly upright and then tip the load down again.
Use Your Head Before Your Back
As a landscape contractor, I move a lot of stone, brick and concrete blocks by hand. I have one basic rule: Use your head before your back. Whenever you face a heavy rock, timber or pile of bricks, stop and consider the various options you have for moving it.
Reject any technique that might cause a serious strain, especially to your back. The safe method may require you to make more trips, rent better equipment, ruin more of the lawn or spend a bit more, but don’t take chances with your health.
Roll It
You’d be amazed how easy it is to move heavy, awkward objects with three pieces of PVC pipe. I’ve moved playhouses, yard sheds, empty hot tubs and rocks weighing well over a ton with this trick. Use 4-in. diameter “Schedule 40” PVC, which is available from home centers in 10-foot lengths.
How to do it
Lift the front edge of the stone with a pry bar and slip two pipes underneath. Place one near the front and one about midway so the stone rests on the pipes.
Position the third pipe a foot or two in front of the stone. Roll the stone forward onto the third pipe until the rear pipe comes free. Then move the rear pipe to the front and repeat.
This technique works best on relatively flat ground. On mild slopes, you’ll need a helper to shift pipes while you stabilize the load. Don’t use this method on steeper slopes.
Lift It
Sometimes you have no choice but to lift and carry something heavy, like a stone, a sack of concrete or a bundle of shingles. If so, keep the strain to a minimum. Rest the stone against your upper thighs as shown, so you won’t have to lift the full weight with your arms.
Bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible. As you stand, lean back slightly so that your legs do the lifting, not your back.As you walk with the load, watch your footing. If you stumble, be prepared to release the load, pushing it away with your thighs so it doesn’t drop on your toes!
Walk It
There’s no need to pick up every heavy stone on the job site. If you’re only moving flat, heavy stones short distances, tip them up and walk them forward. Simply rotate it from corner to corner. This works best on a surface you don’t mind tearing up a bit, like grass or dirt. However, use caution on hard surfaces. The edges of heavy stones may chip, or they may grind scratch marks into concrete or asphalt
Flip It
When I have to move a really big stone slab by hand — one that won’t fit on a dolly — I usually flip it. Keep in mind that this only works if you’re moving across grass, dirt or some other soft surface and the stone or other heavy object is nearly impossible to break. Wear heavy gloves.
Even lifting the one edge can be a strain, so get low and lift with your legs and arms, not your back. Stay behind the stone and keep your hands clear when you drop it forward. This is an especially safe technique for moving heavy stuff uphill. However, it’s slow and best for short distances.
