I've got a bit of a challenge with my septic system, which is set up on a hillside. There's an 8ft riser going up from a deep hole, and recently a stone fell down and is now blocking access. I found that I can use a grabbing claw to dislodge it, but I can't seem to lift it out because it's slimy and weighs about 10-20 lbs. I was thinking something like a ratcheting strap wrench on a long pole, but I'd love to hear if anyone has better ideas for safely lifting this rock out of the 10-inch diameter riser.
10 Answers
Why not go with a grappling hook? Once it grabs hold of the rock, it might just do the trick! Just make sure to get a good throw and a solid grip.
Connecting a few shop vac hoses to the rock could create enough suction to pull it up. They’re designed for hefty lifts, so it might just work!
Ever thought about renting a pneumatic rock drill? With an 8ft bit, you could really break down that stone into manageable pieces.
This sounds like a fun little engineering challenge! How about using a tree pruning stick? You could rig it with a cable and create a lasso at the end. The idea is that when you pull on the rope, the lasso tightens around the rock to lift it. Just make sure you add some extra rope along the way to keep it stable while pulling.
You could also try making a sling that cradles the rock. It would look a bit like an animal control snare stick, but it could effectively secure the rock while you lift it.
I’d suggest trying a vacuum first. Use some heavy plywood and attach a weight on top of a rope to lower it with some epoxy. Let it set, then try to pull it out. Add in a double lasso around a pipe to give yourself more leverage!
You might want to consider investing in a pole grabber. They’re designed for situations just like this. Just wondering why your septic guy didn’t bring one along!
Interesting setup with that riser; sounds tricky! You might want to consider getting a camera down there first to see if there's a lid below the rock. If not, breaking it up could be the simplest way forward. Use a heavy tamper bar and drop it down multiple times to break the rock apart. Gravity should help with that! Just be cautious, though, as it might create other issues if the opening is further compromised.
Yeah, breaking it up sounds like the most straightforward approach here. Just think, a spud bar with a rope could really help. Give it a couple of hours and you might just be able to shatter it enough to pull out the pieces.
You could try making a catch pole similar to those used for animal capture. Grab a pipe and some rope or even an old extension cord to fashion your own. If the rock is round, it might take two of these to effectively lift it out. Just make sure to get a good grip!
If you can handle some tools, grab a tig welder, some rebar, and a self-tapping screw with a masonry bit. You can create a solid anchor point to work with, just be sure to drill carefully!
That could be challenging since the rock might be too rough for standard suction to work. A flexible rubber suction cup might make the difference!