finding deep objects

[jspeedy]

I am being hired to find 2 buried tanks which could be steel or re enforced concrete. I should expect the tanks to be no more than 5' deep. Is the etrac capable of finding large metal objects at that depth? If not than I need to be upfront with the contractor.

 

[sprchng]

No , but you could always try on a results basis. You might get a reading that would lead you to the tanks.
Hire Elton to find it with his F75ltd and the cache mode.
You could hire me but I don't know how it works--never used it.
You might have to rent a ground penetrating radar unit.

 

[Surfinsafari]

Believe it or not...I used to run a geological boring rig and I used to use witching sticks or divining rods, whatever you want to call them and I was able to find underground tanks and utilities with remarkable accuracy. I would find things that the surveyors couldnt find with professional metal detecting equipment...give it a try.

 

[Rolladex]

No. Divining rods work for me too. But you are going to need a two box detector. They don't pick up all the small trash just large objects. Good luck and Merry Christmas

 

[NebTrac]

Its surprising, but I'm going to say use the rods or a long probing rod. I know this based on being on our local cemetery board. I use my detector there to find the surveying stakes to take measurements from. I'm always surprised how I cannot get a hint of a large metal coffin 5-6 feet down, with my E-Trac.

The probes will go in deep if the soil has been dug before. We often do this if we suspect a grave, but doesn't have a marker.

Good luck.

NebTrac

 

[E-Trac-Ohio]

Yes, sounds like a perfect job for a "Two Box" metal detector - they will find a 3 ft. square metal box that's 10 ft. down and small car that's approx. 20 ft. down.
These machines are used by Cache Hunters and Underground Utility Contractors.
A lot of the big dealer's sell them - you can read about them on the Internet - a good one sells in the $700.00 range.

 

[jspeedy]

He will pay me $75/hour and has more work for me. So, maybe I should start looking at box machines. Thanks all.

 

[Prep1957]

You need 2 box,or a Pipe Locator,The Etrac could find what you are looking for if you had a very large coil but it might have to be over 2 feet round.Hunting fields with Safari,Pro Coil, turn my sensitivity down as not to pick up small objects I am finding horse shoes, tractor parts,zinc canning lids,tools to about 20 inches.That big an Iron object like a tank would not hurt to try you never know.

 

[BillF]

You might be surprized. I work for the water dept. The guys in the field use X305s and Tesoro Silvers to locate mains that are as deep as you think the tanks may be.
The Vaquero I had would pick up a 6" pipe at 3 feet with no problem at all.
It might be a good idea to buy a 2 box unit just in case, but you may not need it for this particular job.

 

[ironsight]

I agree with the guys who suggested to use divining rods. When properly used they do work especially for deep objects.
They will even detect underground PVC piping and over head power lines.

I recently had to locate my old 1" well pipe buried 4.5 feet deep for a new well driller. Contacted a professional locator and he wanted $300. Not gonna happen!
So i researched divining rods.
Took a coat hanger, cut it in two and bent both straight pieces at 90 deg angles.
They located the pipe and the old well head perfectly. When the well driller arrived, he did the same with his own divining rods!

I was so impressed with this, i wanted to see if those things could detect a coin. Threw a quarter on the ground with no underground pipes or junk in the vicinity and it did detect that quarter and accurately. H'mmm!