Automatic digger?

[chirper97]

It's 2009 (I think); technology has progressed to incredible heights.

The biggest obstacle to consistently enjoying our hobby of metal detecting, from my view, is the very hard work and drudgery of digging targets.

What about a device that could dig for you?

It would be adjustable, both diameter and depth. It may resemble an automatic flower bulb planter.

You may need to stand on it for sufficient counter force as it digs. It probably will progressively rotate its blade.

It would save knees, hands, and back from injuries.

Seems like this could be invented, if not already available. I want one!

Any inventions or ideas out there??

My search terms for google have been: tool dig cylinder dirt

Best result so far: http://blog.couponbell.com/tag/automatic-bulb-hole-digger/

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-430-00-1/APPE.htm

Any suggestions?

 

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[arizonaames]

It's 2009 (I think); technology has progressed to incredible heights.

The biggest obstacle to consistently enjoying our hobby of metal detecting, from my view, is the very hard work and drudgery of digging targets.

What about a device that could dig for you?

It would be adjustable, both diameter and depth. It may resemble an automatic flower bulb planter.

You may need to stand on it for sufficient counter force as it digs. It probably will progressively rotate its blade.

It would save knees, hands, and back from injuries.

Seems like this could be invented! If not already. I want one!

Any inventions or ideas out there??

My search terms for google have been: tool dig cylinder dirt
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/5-430-00-1/APPE.htm
Any suggestions?

Get a slave to do the digging!

 

[Farmercal]

Most of us are in this hobby for the the freash air and exercise and don't mind digging our finds out of the ground. Besides having to do it manually lets you find creative ways to get the coins(s) out of the ground with minimal damage to the turf or the coin, thus earning bragging rights.

 

[Eu_citzen]

The biggest obstacle to consistently enjoying our hobby of metal detecting, from my view, is the very hard work and drudgery of digging targets.

For me it's the very opposite you can sit there and dig your target in peace and swear as much you like when you have problems finding it...
And it helps to forget the "daily routine" when sitting there cursing besides your hole.

Really I might be saying it to make you laugh but yet you will get my idea if you've been at it enough.

We're doing this because we enjoy it the way it is and I tell you this isn't a hobby for you if you enjoy being lazy, it's hard work indeed but hey it's part of the game! If I'd be to lazy to dig I'd get another hobby.

 

[arizonaames]

Get 2 slaves: one to hold your mint julep and the other to dig for you.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Could you imagine the scratched coins, broken blades from rocks--and how could it deal with tree roots? Would it be light enough to carry, or heavier than a shovel? Would it be Remote Controlled and get bogged down in mud/rain/sleet that I like to hunt in? Would it run out of gas/break/dull/or jam? Sorry. I'll stick to a shovel.

Besides, I like to take photos of my finds as they come up--and I don't want a machine recovering them for me. Now, I might like a machine to carry all of the junk and scrap that I haul off property owners' land when I'm done!


-Buck

 

[chirper97]

Appreciate all of the replies.

Seems like a LOT of the research and development of metal detectors is directed at better and better discrimination abilities, to AVOID digging unwanted targets. Does this make the operators lazy for desiring to dig less? If the digging of targets is important to enjoying our hobby, why not turn off all discrimination and dig all targets? I actually do this pretty frequently, being a relic hunter.

Imagine those metal detector operators who must stop or limit their hobby because of orthopedic challenges with hands, knees, and hips. Also keep in mind that in some areas the soil is very hard compacted clay (West Virginia), making it doubly difficult to extract targets. Why not a powered tool to extract the targets?

If a carpenter chooses to use a manual screw driver, does it make another person LAZY if they use a powered screw driver??

If exercise is the only goal of searching for coins and relics, we could dispense with the detector, and just start probing with a rod and digging with a hoe and shovel! Skip the labor saving electronic detector!

Wouldn't it be nice if operators had a CHOICE of how much and how intensely to dig targets.

 

[arizonaames]

I am 62 with screws in both knees, broke my hip and pelvis, and broke my back 3 times. All of this with horse wrecks while training stallions for reining. I have a neighbor across the street that wonders why he has a problem breathing with heart problems while he tools around on his 3 wheel electric vehicle. He has not walked for such a long a time that his legs are becoming attrophied. You have the same choice as he and others, or me. I was fit enough 3 years ago to take on 2 communist goons that were picking on my tailor lady in Zigong, Sichuan, PRC. Thus, if you wonder why most of us here think that excercise is important for your own well being, perhaps eventually you might understand. I hope that you will for your sake.....

 

[chirper97]

....Thus, if you wonder why most of us here think that excercise is important for your own well being, perhaps eventually you might understand. I hope that you will for your sake.....

Thanks for your reply.

My profession is Physical Therapy. I agree with your perspective on the importance of exercise.

The proper tool can enable many people to continue their beloved hobbies, thereby getting MORE exercise and relaxation.

It is up to each operator to decide their level of exercise: should I WALK to the site, how deep am I willing to dig, etc.

When I cut my grass, I COULD use a manual push mower, or I could use my Sears self propelled mower.

It is nice to have a choice, especially as the age of metal detector operators increases, and physical limitations manifest.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Why don't you focus your energies on something to melt the frozen ground? Now THAT I could use.

 

[chirper97]

Why don't you focus your energies on something to melt the frozen ground? Now THAT I could use.

It's pretty soggy (actually flooding!) here in WV.

But we may catch up with you as a clipper system swoops in from the Northwest!

 

[relichunters]

Hmm I wouldn't use a machine to dig for me. For many reasons.

#1. Unless you are in your own backyard on private properly, people will freak out when they see you lugging a machine around making holes.

#2. What if it was only 2 inches deep and you set it on 8 inches? how do you know when you've found it?

#3. It would make a mess, putting dirt all over the place, and make a large hole when all you need is a simple plug.

#4. The machine can take the relics you are trying to dig up.

That's just my 2 cents :P

 

[G.I.B.]

What about a device that could dig for you?

It's called a 'dog'....

 

[EDDE]

Ive had this booked marked already for other research

 

[Eu_citzen]

If a carpenter chooses to use a manual screw driver, does it make another person LAZY if they use a powered screw driver??

If exercise is the only goal of searching for coins and relics, we could dispense with the detector, and just start probing with a rod and digging with a hoe and shovel! Skip the labor saving electronic detector!

Wouldn't it be nice if operators had a CHOICE of how much and how intensely to dig targets.

No a carpenter is often on a schedule, using machines helps him to stay above water..
We are not doing this as a profession and as such I don't think your comparison is liable.

Exercise is hardly the only reason we do this, though most have their own reasons.

We do already have the choice of how much and how intensely to dig.. We call it "discrimination" and "depth meter".

Frozen here also, hey I do think I agree with BuckleBoy.

 

[chirper97]

Thanks for all the replies!

With this thread, I'm attempting to LOCATE an 'automatic digging device', not to poll how many would be interested in using one.

Granted, most metal detector users probably would NOT want to change their target recovery techniques.

Different strokes!

 

[crashbro17x]

I am an environmental specialist....soil scientist for a living. I use the tool/tools that you are talking about every day at work...The soil auger that I use at work every day would destroy fragile objects such as buttons, scratch coins, break brass, and so on and so forth....Now the auger I use is manual....and it is VERY hard on your shoulders. To use it, you twist it in the ground and it pulls out a plug of soil a little bigger than a coke can, but the cutting teeth on it only have a gap of about 2 inches....the angle at which these teeth are on the tool would do major damage to any artifact that you would dig up...So, I guess I will keep my shovel, trowel, and knife...

Hey, my dad had me to dig all of his targets when I was younger, so I guess I was his automatic digger!

 

[rmptr]

Got one.

What did you want dug up?



rmptr

 

[The Master Chief]

Now that is a digger

 

[EDDE]

golf hole digger