How to get gravel out of pipe?

[BIG DOOLEY]

The OP did not state where the "pipe" is in relation to the door opening...if it's wide open and against the wall that would be OK but IMO the pipe in the ground just barely above flush with grade is the safest application...rebars sticking up create a hazard just about anywhere...JMO

true enough
if the pipe is out in a grass area with a wheel guide next to the building he is trying to stop just the outer end of the door from sailing.
in that case a larger o.d. pipe in the ground that a shop vac hose could fit into would be another good fix.
pitures tell the story
pitures tell the story

 

[texasjohn]

ditto....may need to experiment with different sized nozzles, perhaps temporary made for the purpose, so it will pick up the rocks...amazing what a shop vac will do. I use it for reaching the bottom of post holes and cleaning them out when my arm gets too short.

How about a shop vac.

 

[NevadaMOGuy]

So how to get crushed 3/4 minus gravel out of this pipe?

Amazon.

 

[Tig]

Surely there must be a way to do this using a tractor.

 

[bcp]

Surely there must be a way to do this using a tractor.

Post hole digger with 1/2 inch auger.

Bruce

 

[ray66v]

Post hole digger with 1/2 inch auger.

Bruce

Now we have gone full circle, and we're back to my suggestion.

Hammer drill with a long 1/2" bit. :thumbsup:

 

[super55]

Agreed the shop vac should do the job. I would go with that clear tubing they sell at the hardware store. Duct Tape it to the end of the end of the hose and Ta-Da a portable flexible suction unit that would put any unit in the Emergency room to shame.

You could also probably try a blow gun and put a piece of copper tubing on the end of it with a large air compressor. Wiggle it down below the rocks and force them out with compressed air.

 

[Boostinjdm]

I've cleared shavings out of deep holes before by using a shop vac and compressed air. I took a vacuum nozzle and drilled a 3/16" hole in it. I also got a piece of brake line and attached it to a blow gun. You put the nozzle over the hole (pipe in your case). Then stick the brake line through the small hole and down as far as you can. Hit the trigger and the stuff in the hole will shift around while the vac sucks it up.

 

[Pilot]

OP here. Some good suggestions. I had a shop vac at the hangar (originally didn't expect it to work since there is no air flow thru the pipe) and it sucked out the top 6" of gravel. Still have several inches to go, but I think the idea of using a small tube of some sort attached to the shop vac hose with duct tape will do the rest.

 

[Lou66]

Don't forget Pilot,, if the shop vac doesn't take care of the problem,, I can still come up with some type of explosive device with the use of a tractor front end loader as a shield,, if needed.. just let me know.. Lou

 

[aczlan]

To bring this back to tractors, here is a PTO powered vacuum that would probbaly do the trick: AgriMetal Tuff Vac 4000 Leaf and Debris Vacuum, 30 HP, PTO Model

Aaron Z

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

shop vac would be my first choice but water blasting could work as well.
1/2" copper pipe attached to garden hose and plung and lift with highest water pressure you can get out of a garden hose may "float" blast enough out??

 

[powerpace]

Rod with chewing gum on the end. Don't complicate it.

 

[handymansvs]

Hello,

I would use a Carpenters Brace with a Auger Bit that fits inside the pipe. Cleans it out quickly!!

Joe

 

[texasjohn]

Tractor>inverter>shop vac>empty pipe>empty vac into FEL>dump FEL at point of your choosing>all done!!:tractor:

 

[BIG DOOLEY]

Don't forget Pilot,, if the shop vac doesn't take care of the problem,, I can still come up with some type of explosive device with the use of a tractor front end loader as a shield,, if needed.. just let me know.. Lou

Unfortunately thats always been the preferred method her in Michigan.
Pipe+Powder+Rocks=somethings moving fast
We have had our share of bomb nuts her in Michigan.
Timmothy McVeigh practiced on a farm here in Deckerville.
Not sure we will ever recover from that nut.
Stick to the bubble gum or shop vac

 

[podagrower]

If the pipe is PVC (which I doubt it is in this case) muriatic, sulferic, or hydrocloric acid makes things disappear.

 

[MossRoad]

Take a masonry bit a tad smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe and a hammer drill and all will be well in a few minutes. I know this because I used to work at an airport with gravel T-hanger floors.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

shop vac would be my first choice but water blasting could work as well.
1/2" copper pipe attached to garden hose and plung and lift with highest water pressure you can get out of a garden hose may "float" blast enough out??

I'm with you on the water blast; only problem, working with a 3/4" pipe means you would have to fashion the 1/2" copper pipe, but it should work well. As I recall, this technique is used to recover sulfur...they pump steam down a pipe that's inside another larger pipe, and the product comes up the space between. Of course air should work too.

 

[Pilot]

Water sound like a good idea, but there is no nearby source of water.

After this storm passes thru and I can open one of the doors to the hangar without it blowing off the hinges, I intend to duct tape a small pipe to my shop vac so I can slip it into the pipe in the ground and suck the rest out.

Thanks for all the suggestions.