“Pivot Fork” Digs Fertile Muck Out Of Ponds

“Pivot Fork” Digs Fertile Muck Out Of Ponds MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous Muck at the bottom of ponds is fertile stuff that works great for improving gardens says Jody Taylor Hammond La who recently sent FARM SHOW photos of a long swivel-type “muck scoop” that he made It lets him use a broad pitchfork to scoop muck out of ponds and dump it into a wheelbarrow which he then hauls to his garden “I first tried using a trash pump to vacuum muck out of ponds but had only limited success ” says Taylor “My homemade scoop provides free dirt and good exercise ” The pitchfork is attached to one end of a 21-ft long pipe which rides on a small metal roller mounted on a pedestal base A 4-ft long T-handle is welded to the other end of the pipe The operator uses the T-handle to push or pull the pipe and also to rotate it from side to side The roller sets about 4 ft off the ground and consists of a 10-in wheel rim mounted on a swivel base “The pipe rolls easily on the wheel rim and the swivel allows lateral movement of the load toward the wheelbarrow ” says Taylor To fasten the pitchfork he cut off the fork’s round wood handle and fit it tightly into the pipe Support cables attached to both ends of the pipe keep it from bending under load Taylor uses a turnbuckle to adjust the cable’s suspension as needed “The pitchfork works best if there are a lot of sticks and leaves at the bottom of the pond ” says Taylor “I slid a sock made out of thick open mesh material over the fork so water can flow through I use a string or long pole to keep track of where I’ve already dug Once the wheelbarrow is full I move it to our garden where I use a rake to spread the muck out ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Jody Taylor Taylortec Inc 16152 E Club Deluxe Rd Hammond La 70403 ph 985 542-6266; sales@taylortec com

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