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Archiver > CEMETERY > 1998-11 > 0911270222


From: Steve Ostrom <>
Subject: Re: [CEMETERY-L] Digging up stones
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1998 21:37:02 -0500


Harold,

I wouldn't try to advise on a problem like that without seeing the problem, however a
few insights might be helpful. 500 lbs, is not that great a weight, unless of course
it is just one person holding it. This is about the weight of 2 good sized men. This
sort of weight should be able to be lifted by an engine puller, or a block and tackle.
The block and tackle could be fastened to a tripod of relatively cheap lumber (4x4 or
bigger - the joint at the apex might be interesting). You would also like to place
large pads on the ends of the legs to keep the feet from penetrating the earth (and
whatever).

As for the lifting sling, some high strength nylon (?) straps could be arranged. This
would definitely need custom fitting to the shape and movement required of the object.
I used to use these straps in moving vans, to secure loads. This material can be like
seat belt material ( my favorite for lifting appliances) , or much heavier. I would
imagine these to be wide enough to prevent much more than mild polishing of the stone
if they rub. Make sure that the stone is supported well so it does not break as lifted.

Steve O.

Harold Clupper wrote:

> Michele and all,
>
> I have a toppled stone about a foot square and three feet long. At 170 lb
> per cu. ft. it would weigh over 500 lbs. A local monument worker inspected
> the site (for free) and told me that since it was on a hill they could not
> get their motorized hoist over it and it was too heavy to manually lift
> into place. On a flat area they could reset it for about $50. (rural
> Indiana) In my area (suburban Phila) it costs $150 to remove and replace
> a headstone for burial.
>
> As he pointed out, resetting the stone wouldn't last anyway because the
> base stone had a slight tilt on the top surface. Every freeze-thaw cycle
> will allow the top stone to slide a tiny bit until it finally falls off.
> To avoid this, some cemeteries now require a 3 foot deep concrete footer to
> provide a stable foundation. A two piece monument is sealed with a mastic
> compound to keep out the water. Pins are not now used but some setters use
> three or four globs of a filled epoxy cement (in addition to a sealer) to
> join the stones. I'm told that, in this situation, it's impossible to
> separate them if the joined surfaces were not polished.
>
> I have a question of my own. How do you grasp the stone to avoid damage
> and to provide a degree of safety when handling such a heavy object?
>
> Harold Clupper (Chester Co., PA)
>
> ----------
> > From:
> > To:
> > Subject: Re: [CEMETERY-L] Digging up stones
> > Date: Monday, November 16, 1998 8:15 AM
> >
> > I have a large stone that needs to be fixed. The top has fallen off of
> the
> > base. This is a very large monument. My husband is going to use a
> cherry
> > picker to lift it back into place. What can I use to seal it so it won't
> fall
> > or get knocked off again. I tried to get one of our local monument
> makers to
> > fix it but the said they couldn't get their equipment in there to fix it.
> > Yeah right! I guess it wasn't a big enough job for them to be bothered.
> The
> > cemetery workers said the grave diggers would use their equipment to fix
> it
> > for a fee of 150.00 dollars. So I decided to do it myself. I just want
> to
> > make sure I do it right. I can't believe that people are not more
> willing to
> > help. I don't mind paying to have it done but that seems a little steep
> to
> > me. Also could someone give me a clear definition of perpetual care?
> Thanks,
> > Michele
>
>

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