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#1
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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? |
#2
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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.
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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight |
#3
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custom tool
how about a pooper scooper?
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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000 1995 E300D 306,000 Sold 1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold 1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold 2016 Ford Fusion 24,900 |
#4
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Quote:
That, or rent a trash pump / sewage pump instead of a vacuum. Its basically a larger version of your smaller sump pump. |
#5
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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.
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Terry Allison N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama 09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA) 09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.) |
#6
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I was also thinking of a post-hole digger. They work great. Even better if someone else is doing the actual digging.
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#7
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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
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#8
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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.
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#9
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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. |
#10
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I used a coffee can screwed to a 2x4 to clean out a similar hole.
woohoo, flickr is back.
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1983 Toyota Tercel 4WD Wagon - 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300SD 4-Speed(My Car!) 2005 C230 Kompressor 6-Speed Manual
Last edited by SirNik84; 03-18-2010 at 12:37 PM. |
#11
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Similar to #3 except that only has one shovel which rotates 90 degrees via 2nd handle/rod.
http://www.terrierman.com/phd.htm
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Terry Allison N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama 09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA) 09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.) |
#12
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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).
(Sorry about the size, it's the only one I've got. At least it gives you a good idea of the design. )
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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15 '06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod) |
#13
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Quote:
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. Last edited by al76slc; 03-18-2010 at 03:06 PM. |
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