Old brick bbq pit

Jday

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Ok so someone talk me out of using my tractor and bucket to rip out an old brick bbq pit that is probably 15x5ft? Will the bricks rip up the bucket bad? It’s on concrete by the way.
 
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motionclone

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Ok so someone talk me out of using my tractor and bucket to rip out an old brick bbq pit that is probably 15x5ft? Will the bricks rip up the bucket bad? It’s on concrete by the way.
How old is it? Is it all cracked up and loose or still solid?
 

NCL4701

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Not sure I’d want to put my bucket into that due to concern about damaging the edge. I probably would push on it some with my grapple to see if it’s amenable to removal. Reasonable pushing and definitely no ramming.

Unless you built it, how solid it is isn’t exactly known. Non-structural mortar just mortared to the slab is a lot different than structural mortar and rebar pins cast into the slab.

If you want to test it without involving the tractor, you could whale on it with a sledgehammer a bit. If it’s coming apart pretty easy, try the tractor. If it’s more like the Rock of Gibraltar, rent a jackhammer and use the loader as a wheelbarrow for the debris.

Of course if you’re also taking out the slab, the slab itself is a different animal. If it’s unreinforced and pretty thin you might be able to get under the edge of it and pry it up, again taking care to not get crazy with it. If that’s not going well, you’ll probably have to bust it up some before you can get under it and pry it out.

I have taken out similar stuff but not that was in good condition at the time of removal.

Edit: Just remembered from prior experience, if you do give it a go with a bucket, put the edge in the mortar joint, not in the brick. The mortar isn’t as hard as brick, non-structural mortar isn’t incredibly strong.
 
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motionclone

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If its brick and mortar you could rent an Electric Breaker (jackhammer) to tear it down then use the bucket to move it away. The break would handle the slab too if its 4" or less.
 
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Benhameen

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Sledgehammer or jackhammer then remove with bucket.
 
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RCW

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I can do a number with a 10# sledge......break into pieces, clean up with loader.

Doing a paver patio while back, I applied a 4# dead-blow to my thumb.....did a number on that, too.....😢
 
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Jday

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Turns out it only took a little push and it all came down no problem!
 
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old George

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Dont mess up you loader bucket or chance hydraulic leak issues , put on a box blade and back into it to knock it down and drop it up and down to knock loose the pieces Then scoop it up w thee loader