How to get clay out of backhoe bucket?

[oosik]

Break up the clay with the teeth on the bucket. Then scoop up the loose material. It's by no means 100% but it helps.

I saw a commercial operation using a "mesh" bucket. The frame was exceptionally heavy steel. The sided - bottom - back were mesh made out of 3/8" steel rod. I think this was a bucket made for this specific operation. It worked about 75% to 80% of the time. It required special skills - a basketball sized rock could really rack this bucket. It was being used to dig out a water saturated peat bog. Lots of peat and the bottom of the bog - blue/grey clay.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have a 2 inch hole in my 24 inch bucket and the clay packs into the bucket when the moisture is just right. I wouldn't put any holes into a bucket

 

[ovrszd]

I have a 2 inch hole in my 24 inch bucket and the clay packs into the bucket when the moisture is just right. I wouldn't put any holes into a bucket

Only time I appreciate my two holes is when dredging a pond or digging under water.

 

[Diggin It]

Chain like that would just give my clay/muck something else to stick to.


I need something like the scraper in some ice cream scoopers:

 

[Egon]

A strong young helper with a narrow spade would solve your problem!

 

[Richard]

It seems like someone could invent something like a thumb that would set inside the bucket and then push the clay out when dumping.

Sort of like a backhoe enema?

 

[TractorGuy]

Here is a pdf with pictures and instructions from another member (fisherridge) 7 years ago;

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...ked-twelve-12-a-selfcleaningbackhoebucket-pdf

Copied and filed away for future use.

I have encountered the sticky clay syndrome but I usually have the option to wait for drier weather. Outfitting my bucket with the chain idea outlined in this PDF document would probably take long enough for the wet condition to subside but it looks to be a great idea for digging in the muck.

 

[GeneV]

View attachment 630647

This is from another thread.

This is a really good idea!

 

[Big Barn]

Sort of like a backhoe enema?

Back hole enema?

 

[hslogger]

Previous poster suggested a sharpshooter. A Duckbill irrigation shovel, a short handled square point will help also. FIRST, take a grinder to the leading edge of them and peck away from inside and where the clay meets the back of the bucket. Just don't try to take too much of a bite or you will bend/break your tools.

I have also used pry bars with a block for leverage. Aint it fun?