Pulling nails & hardware out of burn pile ash

[WinterDeere]

The title pretty much says it all. All kinds of nails, screws, and other hardware finds its way into my burn pile, which I'd like to retrieve out of the ash before mixing that ash in with my dirt pile for use as topsoil or fill. Last thing I need is to puncture my own ZTR tires, due to putting nails into my topdressing dirt.

Mechanical sifting isn't gonna work well, as a lot of roots, dirt, and other organics that might remain chunky or not fully burn remain. I'm guessing there are some strong magnets that could make short work of this, but am hoping someone can point me toward a solution that already works for them, before I try to re-invent that wheel.

 

[ponytug]

The title pretty much says it all. All kinds of nails, screws, and other hardware finds its way into my burn pile, which I'd like to retrieve out of the ash before mixing that ash in with my dirt pile for use as topsoil or fill. Last thing I need is to puncture my own ZTR tires, due to putting nails into my topdressing dirt.

Mechanical sifting isn't gonna work well, as a lot of roots, dirt, and other organics that might remain chunky or not fully burn remain. I'm guessing there are some strong magnets that could make short work of this, but am hoping someone can point me toward a solution that already works for them, before I try to re-invent that wheel.

I've used a magnetic sweeper, but I can't say that I thought it was all that effective, for exactly the reasons you wrote. The larger objects keep the magnets from getting close enough to pick up all the metal. My "solution" was to burn the debris, leave it, and then refire the chunks with something that didn't contain metal and then rake out those ashes to be swept with magnets. It's not perfect, as stainless steel often doesn't get picked up and with pressure treated construction, we seem to get more stainless steel screws left lying around.

You can get vibrating screen buckets these days to make quick work of the sieving...

All the best,

Peter

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I don't know what kind of scale you are talking about. But since you said you are adding the ash to topsoil I'm assuming it's not much. I have used a regular magnetic pickup tool with great success. I burned then went out the next weekend and pushed it all through the remains of the fire. Got lots of metal junk out.

 

[Engineer42]

The title pretty much says it all. All kinds of nails, screws, and other hardware finds its way into my burn pile, which I'd like to retrieve out of the ash before mixing that ash in with my dirt pile for use as topsoil or fill. Last thing I need is to puncture my own ZTR tires, due to putting nails into my topdressing dirt.

Mechanical sifting isn't gonna work well, as a lot of roots, dirt, and other organics that might remain chunky or not fully burn remain. I'm guessing there are some strong magnets that could make short work of this, but am hoping someone can point me toward a solution that already works for them, before I try to re-invent that wheel.

I dig a hole next to the burn pile. The leftovers go in the hole and the excess from the hole can be used as fill, etc.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I dig a hole next to the burn pile. The leftovers go in the hole and the excess from the hole can be used as fill, etc.

This is probably the best way if you have a bunch of metal.

 

[Jstpssng]

with pressure treated construction, we seem to get more stainless steel screws left lying around.

You burn pressure treated? They won't even accept that in the burn pile at the transfer station.

 

[JeepHead]

I just purchased a rolling magnet at Harbor Freight two weeks ago for this very reason and it works extremely well. LINK

 

[RjCorazza]

I use (4) 750 lb magnets bolted to an old metal ruler, and a loop of rope to swing it back and forth. It plucks hardware right out.
I use it after my yearly burn, and recently when I lost the hardware (pin and several spacers) from my mower deck wheel. Ran it through the brush I was last cutting, and clink... clinkity clink... they all came up in a two foot long area.
I also use it when mowing customers get roof work done

 

[anomad]

I just purchased a rolling magnet at Harbor Freight two weeks ago for this very reason and it works extremely well. LINK

I have one of those too. Works for me. Watch me get a flat next time I start the tractor now... LOL

 

[WinterDeere]

I use (4) 750 lb magnets bolted to an old metal ruler, and a loop of rope to swing it back and forth. It plucks hardware right out.
I use it after my yearly burn, and recently when I lost the hardware (pin and several spacers) from my mower deck wheel. Ran it through the brush I was last cutting, and clink... clinkity clink... they all came up in a two foot long area.
I also use it when mowing customers get roof work done

This sounds idea. Got a link buy to those magnets?

I like the idea of digging a hole to throw the ash into, but at least at the moment, I don't have a backhoe or any great place to dig a hole of sufficient size.