What Kind of Tool Do I Need?
 

I need to shovel the crud out of my backyard drywell. The drywell is about 4 feet deep and 3 feet in diameter, and no, I do not intend to climb into it to get the crud out.

The drywell drains a swampy area in the yard. There is a sump pump dropped into the drywell, which then pumps the water out into the underground drainage pipes.

The drywell periodically fills up with sediment, which is what I need to take out, so the pump doesn't get clogged up.

So I need some sort of shovel, but one that I can drop into the drywell and use it to pick up the sediment. So it would need to be some sort of shovel with a right angle end.

I've tried a clamshell-type post hole digger, but the sediment is too gloppy - it just pours through the clamshells.

I suppose I could make something like a shallow bucket attached to a pole, but it wouldn't be able to dig into the sediment. I'd rather buy something with a metal digger.

Any thoughts on where I could get a right angle shovel, or something similar?

For cleaning silt from catch basins at work we use a special shovel just like you describe. They have an oversized handle and a 'spoon' that is like a shallow bowl. You could try a rental yard. A large shop vac and water to mix up the silt might work and be less strenuous. A vacuum sucker truck is the same thing but kind of overkill for a single sump.

custom tool
 

how about a pooper scooper?

That, or rent a trash pump / sewage pump instead of a vacuum. Its basically a larger version of your smaller sump pump.

The shovel you are thinking of is known locally a "linemans" post hole shovel. Used for planting telephone poles. I rented a 12 footer to dig 10' holes for a retaining wall. Came in various lengths.

Vacuum truck sounds lots easier.

I was also thinking of a post-hole digger. They work great. Even better if someone else is doing the actual digging.

Get yourself a ditching spade. I have one just like this.

Took my oxy-acetylene torch and bent the spade 90 degrees to do the job.

http://www.norkan.com/Norkan_Store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_11&products_id=256&zenid=mbqopp7tt4ot9bp8nnjdfbkql1

I'd go with a vacuum truck. Hired one to pump out a grease pit in a sewer system. Cost about $100. He had a shovel with about an 6' handle so he could break up the sediment before vacuuming out. Hell of a lot of suction in that machine.

We have a winner!

Attached to an extended handle, I think this will work.
Even better if I can find one designed for elephants.


Thanks to all the contestants.

1) The vacuum truck would work, but $100 for a couple of buckets of silt once a year may be overkill.

2) I actually have a ditching spade, but don't want to bend it, since I like it the way it is. Maybe I'll pick up another.

3) I did a Google search for "linemans post hole shovel" - and it referred me to a website called .....

"peachparts.com" - this thread.

But I couldn't find it for sale there.:mad:

I used a coffee can screwed to a 2x4 to clean out a similar hole.

woohoo, flickr is back.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3633/...08e41611b6.jpg

Similar to #3 except that only has one shovel which rotates 90 degrees via 2nd handle/rod.

http://www.terrierman.com/phd.htm

Seymour DG18X Series Post Hole Diggers (4.5'-8' Handles) They ain't cheap but they build some nice tools, they sell in the $150-$250 range. We carry their fiberglass handle line (just standard post-hole digger in fiberglass, though).

http://www.seymourmfg.com/productima...ghres/DG18.jpg
(Sorry about the size, it's the only one I've got. At least it gives you a good idea of the design. :))

We have a new winner.... Thanks. (Terry's suggestion was very similar.)

That's exactly the what I need!

Called Seymour - they'll sell it direct for $95 for the 4.5' handles and $114 for the 6', plus shipping.

Seems like what I'll do, although does seem a little steep for a fancy shovel.