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I am assuming that the rock is already loose from the ground. If not, I use digging bars about 6 feet long to lever big rocks out of the soil, often using smaller rocks for a fulcrum. It is amazing how big a rock a person can move with a long enough lever. My tractor has a front loader that will lift pretty big rocks, but it is not always easy to get them into the bucket. I have levered the rocks into the bucket with the digging bars if I could not just roll them in. I also have just rolled very large rocks that the loader would not lift by putting the bucket a little off the ground and shoving with the tractor in first gear. I live on very rocky ground and pick rock all the time. I would not be without a loader--it is my most used implement by far. When I was a kid, our old tractor did not have a loader. My Dad had what he called a stone boat that was made of the frame rails of some old car or truck cut off about 6 feet. It was turned over so the front curve of the rails was up, to give a sled runner effect. On top of the rails were 2" planks which made a solid, very low floor that we rolled or tossed the rocks on. We then dragged the stone boat to the rock piles with the tractor. Of course, the stone boat had to be unloaded by hand. It was a lot better than carrying each rock to the edge of the field, but still a lot of work. In my area there are huge piles of rocks that farmers have taken off the fields, probably mostly with stone boats. I like the car hood idea--cheap and easy. Or ask a buddy to come over and show how strong his loader is! But if you have many rocks to move, I would consider getting a loader. Once you have one, you will wonder how you ever got along without one. I use mine for all sorts of things, not just moving rocks, dirt or manure.
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