Best Turf Plugging Tool?

[steve herschbach]

Hi,

I'm going to be going after coins deeper than I've ever gone for this summer and need a way to punch deep, clean holes in turf. Who makes the best "Hole Hog" or similar type tool for getting down to depth? I need at least 12". Any help is appreciated.

Steve Herschbach

 

[diggingfix]

Golf course cup cutters might work for you, not sure about the depth. I made one a while back using muffler pipe and a caulking gun, it works real well but I may go for a wider tube next time.

 

[silvernail]

Personally, I have near-zero experience with "deep, clean plugs." If you are going to drive an actual plug 12-16 inches in the ground, you will soon need a hydraulic arm, and may quit anyway on account of stray rocks. From what little I know about it, the only way to get that deep is with a shaft. With some luck, you can plug the turf - and from there you just dig, backfill and restore as well as possible. The most important tool you need is an exceptional relationship with the turf owner! The Nor' Dakota guys do some deep work in fairgrounds and the like, which will generally be more like pasture grass, and I would value their comments highly. I believe some pretty clean work could be done in good turf with some of the Lesche tools or a planting spade, but cannot offer testimony. Involve the turf owner in the project if you can! Good luck.

 

[SNOWY]

Steve, I had a photo of another HOLE HOG, it's made from heavy PVC pipe,
and has three cutting teeth formed by shaping holes meade by a hole saw.
You would screw it into the ground, the teeth would cut through the grass roots, and down she would go.

I guess you could push the plug from the cutter by shoving your fingers through
the large hole, and push out the plug.
Looks to me like it wouldn't be hard to build one.
Maybe one of you DIY guys could have a go !
~ Winter project eh!

 

[urb2165]

Call Greg at Transbay Metal Detecting 650-574-2012 or cell 650-346-2848 he has a tool called the Trans Bay Mole that will meet your needs for deep plug.
Tell him that Rodney in South Carolina suggested that you call him.
Thanks
Rodney

 

[Waterdog]

I made one out of a caulking gun and Tail pipe. It Cuts a hole a Little bigger than 2 inches x 9 deep. I am going to make one a little bigger later

 

[diggingfix]

I have scratched a beauty with this thing, definitly would use a bigger pipe.
[attachment 83272 SVI_0122.jpg]

 

[SNOWY]

Diggingfix, I once saw a short plugging tool that was maybe 2 1/2" to 3" deep only...

The idea was to place the short plugger over your target center, and stand on it, it only punched
out a short hole that got you down under the turf.
The cord attached to the short ring bolts were to pull out the plug, I guess you could use a longer bolt.
I never tried it, but it looks like it would work !

 

[Hungry]

Criky Snowy, where do you find all these things, good going. HH. Bob

 

[SNOWY]

Been doin' it since around the turn of '89 ~ '90...

That's 1989 NOT 1889 .

Heh heh!

 

[urb2165]

Greg has a Trans Bay "MOLE" 4" in Diameter and diggs 12" Deep. 650-574-2012