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Ideas for a culvert "rake"

Posted By: KB64

Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 01:22 AM

Anyone have an extendable tool they've built to pull debris out of culverts. Last couple I've had to unplug I've been able to reach far enough into it with my rake to pull stuff out. Got a 36" pipe that has stuff in it for 10-15' but it's only about a foot deep so far. Thought about getting an extendable pool cleaning pole but that means spending about $30. I'd rather be cheap if possible grin
Posted By: warrior

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 01:28 AM

Last one I had to get deep into I used a pole trimmer to get a fluke boat anchor in on top of the blockage.
Posted By: SNIPERBBB

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 01:53 AM

Problem with the extension poles is their too flimy really. If you can find some long heavy pipe and weld a hook to it.
Posted By: KB64

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB
Problem with the extension poles is their too flimsy really. If you can find some long heavy pipe and weld a hook to it.


I drive a Tacoma with 5' bed, I'd prefer something that is 2-piece or extendable. I thought about filling PVC with foam and using a coupler that I could put a pin in. But pvc doesn't meet the cheap threshold unless I find some scrap. Fence top rail may work with a good way to join two sections together.

Keep the ideas coming
Posted By: SNIPERBBB

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 02:59 AM

can you throw a drag in?
Posted By: mike mason

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by warrior
Last one I had to get deep into I used a pole trimmer to get a fluke boat anchor in on top of the blockage.

X2 The pole saw extension poles work great.
Posted By: Wife

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 11:54 AM

Long wooden pole (telephone pole size), post, or medium/large tree limb. Plumber's backhoe (for the small cmp plugs), excavator for the larger ones. Float and align the pole on the UPSTREAM side and PUSH the beaver debris through to the DOWNSTREAM side (cmp culvert outlet). Wood is easier than metal on the CMP sides. You can use a tow rope to cinch the pole and move it through the culvert until you get the end of "ram" close enough to push with the bucket. I have trained a few county road crews on this after they used iron I beams and had to replace damaged CMPs. My experience............................. the mike
Posted By: Swamp Wolf

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Wife
Long wooden pole (telephone pole size), post, or medium/large tree limb. Plumber's backhoe (for the small cmp plugs), excavator for the larger ones. Float and align the pole on the UPSTREAM side and PUSH the beaver debris through to the DOWNSTREAM side (cmp culvert outlet). Wood is easier than metal on the CMP sides. You can use a tow rope to cinch the pole and move it through the culvert until you get the end of "ram" close enough to push with the bucket. I have trained a few county road crews on this after they used iron I beams and had to replace damaged CMPs. My experience............................. the mike

Yeah...this works well ^^^^

But, I think it totally ruins the op's "cheapest" option.

A) power pole = $200
B) backhoe = $75,000
C) chain = $100
D) hired help = at least $200

Lol
Posted By: wytex

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 02:15 PM

Old tire pulled by your truck or tractor.






Posted By: KB64

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Swamp Wolf
Originally Posted by Wife
Long wooden pole (telephone pole size), post, or medium/large tree limb. Plumber's backhoe (for the small cmp plugs), excavator for the larger ones. Float and align the pole on the UPSTREAM side and PUSH the beaver debris through to the DOWNSTREAM side (cmp culvert outlet). Wood is easier than metal on the CMP sides. You can use a tow rope to cinch the pole and move it through the culvert until you get the end of "ram" close enough to push with the bucket. I have trained a few county road crews on this after they used iron I beams and had to replace damaged CMPs. My experience............................. the mike

Yeah...this works well ^^^^

But, I think it totally ruins the op's "cheapest" option.

A) power pole = $200
B) backhoe = $75,000
C) chain = $100
D) hired help = at least $200

Lol


Yep. I only have so many "monkeys" in this circus. Landowner just paid big bucks for roadwork and to replace a 36" plastic culvert. Told them it would have been easier to kill the beavers first then replace the pipe. There's now a huge hole in front of the pipe with a very soft bottom. Just trying to determine just how to anchor my tray in front of the pipe. Set up two traps on cables in front of a smaller 15" metal pipe yesterday evening and had two this morning.
Posted By: BigBob

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 10:47 PM

Consider a painters extension pole.
Posted By: warrior

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by wytex
Old tire pulled by your truck or tractor.








On those videos, I've often wondered just how they managed to thread the needle.

Got to get that rope or chain threaded through the pipe.
Posted By: SNIPERBBB

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/28/24 11:38 PM

I think those chains were placed before the clogging
Posted By: KB64

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/29/24 12:31 AM

Found an old pole pruner that I think will work. The mount for the lower portion is angled about 30 degrees and should work fine
Posted By: beartooth trapr

Re: Ideas for a culvert "rake" - 03/31/24 12:25 AM

We use to put a cable on both sides of a old tire and pull it threw with the tractor.
Leave cable in culvert, put tire up on side of bank.
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