Anyone have an extendable tool they've built to pull debris out of culverts. Last couple I've had to unplug I've been able to reach far enough into it with my rake to pull stuff out. Got a 36" pipe that has stuff in it for 10-15' but it's only about a foot deep so far. Thought about getting an extendable pool cleaning pole but that means spending about $30. I'd rather be cheap if possible

Last one I had to get deep into I used a pole trimmer to get a fluke boat anchor in on top of the blockage.

Problem with the extension poles is their too flimy really. If you can find some long heavy pipe and weld a hook to it.

I drive a Tacoma with 5' bed, I'd prefer something that is 2-piece or extendable. I thought about filling PVC with foam and using a coupler that I could put a pin in. But pvc doesn't meet the cheap threshold unless I find some scrap. Fence top rail may work with a good way to join two sections together.

Keep the ideas coming

can you throw a drag in?

X2 The pole saw extension poles work great.

Long wooden pole (telephone pole size), post, or medium/large tree limb. Plumber's backhoe (for the small cmp plugs), excavator for the larger ones. Float and align the pole on the UPSTREAM side and PUSH the beaver debris through to the DOWNSTREAM side (cmp culvert outlet). Wood is easier than metal on the CMP sides. You can use a tow rope to cinch the pole and move it through the culvert until you get the end of "ram" close enough to push with the bucket. I have trained a few county road crews on this after they used iron I beams and had to replace damaged CMPs. My experience............................. the mike

Yeah...this works well ^^^^

But, I think it totally ruins the op's "cheapest" option.

A) power pole = $200
B) backhoe = $75,000
C) chain = $100
D) hired help = at least $200

Lol

Old tire pulled by your truck or tractor.

Yep. I only have so many "monkeys" in this circus. Landowner just paid big bucks for roadwork and to replace a 36" plastic culvert. Told them it would have been easier to kill the beavers first then replace the pipe. There's now a huge hole in front of the pipe with a very soft bottom. Just trying to determine just how to anchor my tray in front of the pipe. Set up two traps on cables in front of a smaller 15" metal pipe yesterday evening and had two this morning.

Consider a painters extension pole.

On those videos, I've often wondered just how they managed to thread the needle.

Got to get that rope or chain threaded through the pipe.

I think those chains were placed before the clogging

Found an old pole pruner that I think will work. The mount for the lower portion is angled about 30 degrees and should work fine

We use to put a cable on both sides of a old tire and pull it threw with the tractor.
Leave cable in culvert, put tire up on side of bank.