Digging through gravel

[Ground Inspector]

What is the best way to dig though gravel?
Let's say I have a good signal at 6" and after digging 2", I hit gravel.
Open to ideas! Thanks

 

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[creskol]

I sharpened a Craftsman screwdriver and use it to pick my way through.

 

[Ground Inspector]

I sharpened a Craftsman screwdriver and use it to pick my way through.

I've found a large screwdriver to be best. Maybe there is something better.

 

[XLTer]

Great question & answers I usually quit when I hit old driveway gravel . I'll have to try the screwdriver technique .

 

[Calvin.Coin]

I had the chance to hunt a huge gravel parking lot recently. It is crazy how compacted the ground gets. I tried a bunch of tools and what worked best in that situation was one of those weed-pullers. They look like a large screwdriver with a pointed, forked tip. Poke and pry. If the ground is *really* hard then try a small rock-hounder's hammer or mini-mattock.

enjoy the hunt,
cc

 

[sheep]

I find alot of good coins in old driveways. I learned my lesson fast after scratching a nice IH, it's best to not dig straight for the coin. Working around it to loosen the rocks up then scoop them out by hand until you break that hard surface makes it easier. It takes time but you won't ruin your find.

 

[nsdq]

i use a pick axe and digg around the target then shift the gravel to find the target

 

[Grizzly13]

I use a solid old steel screw driver and a hammer. Without the hammer its time consuming for sure. Hope this helps

 

[Frankn]

You can't dig thru gravel. You use a tine {rake}. I use a 3 tine rake and claw out the gravel. It's like working soil with a lot of small rocks, just rake it out. The rake I use has a telescoping handle. I got it at Sears in the Garden tool dept. Frank

 

[Ground Inspector]

Thanks for all the ideas

 

[spartacus53]

Just use a backhoe and sifter like I do; no muss, no fuss

 

[Fixitdave]

Best thing I have found is a straight.claw hammer

 

[Normsel]

I use one of those forked end weed pullers as well in gravel. I loosen the gravel with it then use my trowel to remove the gravel. It works really well but once in awhile you dig through the gravel and hit blacktop below it. Then your pretty much screwed.

 

[mick56]

When the gravel is as hard as cement, I only hunt those areas after a good rain to soften them up.