I need to move a solid stone gate post about 2-3 feet in order that I can get a car on the drive way. The post is about 1 foot square and about 5ft above ground and about 3 foot below ground.

Obviously this will weigh alot.

What is the easiest way to move it? I'm think some kind of rig and winch system, but can't think where to higher one, or even a mini digger, but again I've never used one, and would also have to find a chain from some where…

So our ideas please!

Ta

Rather that lift it out of one hole and dropping it into another a couple of feet away… maybe cut a trench between its present location and where your moving it and kind of walk it across. Not much more digging than you'd need to do anyway.

Mate with a hiab crane lorry – assuming you can get access.

Other wise places like HSS do mobile gantries, quite a pick and mix, but if you found one long enough and tall enough you could lift the stone up, roll it along the gantry and lower it again. The trick is making sure the account for the height of the stone and the lifting tackle and make sure you end up with something tall enough. You'll usually find lifting stuff is a bit trickier to hire and some hire co's will have specialist branches as the gear needs frequent checking and certifying

Walking the stone is not an option, it will weigh too much, and if it falls it will be good bye stone, and me probably.

Conservative estimate is that it weighs one tonne..

I think I will give HSS a call and see what they think ?!!

engine hoist?

though if it was me ide do it using cunning and thought.
if the ancients can build stone henge, you can lift a gatepost.
infact, i know how i would do it:

dig a trench, from the stone, to the new location of the stone.

lie the stone down, AWAY from the new location.
with the stone lying down, partially back fill the hole, creating a ramp down from the stone at groundlevel, to the new hole

top the ramp with a plank to make it flat.

lift the stone with levers, to slide it down your new ramp, so the foot sits in the new location, then with a big ass timber "lever", lift it back vertical.

back fill the remains of the hole.

Winner!

ditto to above.
I've seen my dad and mates moving large stuff using block and tackle and greasy sleepers.

Dig new hole.
Dig a slope between botton of stone and top of new hole, loosen stone, drag up slope, into new hole. (can used wood on stone and slop – greased)

Can use block and tackle, can use car and winch to tow (of if old car can use to push etc), can use trolley jack for eleverage.

Use various ropes and straps to keep stone orientated (* most important bit)

I'd say that large volumes of beer are essential the smooth transition of the stone from point A to point B. Oh, or a smaller car/better aim?

The post will weigh 500kg if your dimensions are correct. In addition to the heaving aspect there will be a lot of hardcore to clear out of the way first.

I suggest you will NOT be able to safely try and manually do this task with levers etc. You can use hand tools to dig out the surrounding ground down to hardcore level, smash any concrete base mixed through the hardcore and use a form of gantry to lift the post.

£43 to hire a suitable gantry at http://www.hss.com/g/69299/Compact-Demountable-Gantry.html You'll need some 1T strapping too and suitable material to protect it from being chafed.

You COULD call a local landscaper to do it, should cost under £100.

Having done this on a farm – digger / JCB backhoe and sling the post. dig out around the base, lift post and plant in ready prepared hole…
Can't see that engine hoist type idea working unless you're on hard firm ground. Same constraint might well apply to any gantry arrangement.

or, dig it out, push it over, and stand it up again.
it would be "upside down" and have a muddy top, but would save dragging it 😉

Olly it weighs the same as ten xc racers… slightly too heavy for even two burly blokes to lift on end.

thats how I would do it, but i have ready access to rope, strong stout timber, big trees, 20T ground anchors and pullys etc.

dare i suggest you put a bike lock on it? some muppett is bound to try to pinch it 😉

Thanks for all the advice.

I'm going to look at the higher root, although a gantry may not be suitable as it would have to straddle part path and part garden.

Moving by hand simply isnt an option and neither is pulling up or down with a car

Cheers