Cattle grid clearing in Exeter
Professional cattle grid clearing services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
1-2 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Cattle grids cleared of mud, stones and debris. I dig out all the packed-in rubbish so the grid actually works again as a livestock barrier.
When Your Grid Stops Working
A cattle grid only does its job when the animals can see the gaps. Fill it with half a year's worth of mud, stones and leaves, and it becomes a slightly bumpy bridge.
💡 Pro tip: A clear cattle grid saves constantly opening and closing gates - keep it maintained and you'll save time every day.
The Reality of Grid Clearing
It's not glamorous but it needs doing properly:
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ Half-Hearted Job |
|---|---|
| All debris dug out between bars | Top layer scraped off |
| Pit underneath cleared | Can't see the gaps from above |
| Drainage checked | Water pooling in the grid |
| Bars visible and effective | Livestock still crossing it |
What You're Getting
🔧 The Work
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Dig out | Remove all packed mud and debris between bars |
| Clear pit | Clean the collection pit underneath (if accessible) |
| Check drainage | Make sure water can drain away |
| Test | Ensure bars are clearly visible and grid is effective |
📦 End Result
- Clear gaps between all bars
- Properly functioning livestock barrier
- Safe vehicle crossing
- Better drainage
Pricing Guide
| Grid Size | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Small grid, light debris | 1 hr | £60 |
| Standard grid, moderate buildup | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Large grid, heavily packed | 2 hrs | £110 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. If the grid's damaged and needs repair rather than just clearing, I'll let you know.
Perfect For Your Farm If...
✅ Muddy entrance - Devon clay builds up fast
✅ Leaf buildup - grids under trees fill quickly
✅ Safety concern - livestock starting to cross it
✅ Blocked drainage - water pooling on the grid
Why Choose Us for Cattle grid clearing in Exeter?
Mud and stones cleared out
Grid bars cleaned and visible again
Effective livestock barrier restored
Safe vehicle crossing maintained
What to Expect
Step 1: Assessment
I check what you've got - how blocked it is, whether there's access to the pit underneath, any damage to the bars.
Step 2: Dig Out
Dig out all the compacted mud, stones and debris from between the bars. Some of it will have been there for years.
Step 3: Clear Below
If there's access to the collection pit, I clear that too. Makes the whole thing work better.
🔧 DIY Tips
Fancy doing it yourself? It's hard graft but not complicated:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Strong garden spade
- Mattock or pickaxe (for packed mud)
- Stiff broom
- Wheelbarrow for the muck
- Hose (helpful for final clean)
📐 Getting it properly clear
- Start at one end and work systematically
- Dig down between each bar until you hit the bottom
- Don't just scrape the top - that's pointless
- If there's a collection pit, clear that too
- Hose it down at the end to wash out remaining loose stuff
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Only clearing what you can see from above
- Leaving compacted mud at the bottom
- Not checking the pit underneath
- Ignoring blocked drainage
💡 Pro trick: Clear your grid in dry weather if possible. Wet mud is twice as heavy and makes twice the mess. Late summer after a dry spell is ideal.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Preventive maintenance: Clear your grid once a year and it never gets bad enough to be a major job. Leave it three years and you're digging out concrete.
Drainage matters: If your grid constantly fills with water, there's probably a drainage issue. The pit might need digging deeper or drainage added.
Bar damage: While I'm clearing it, I'll spot if any bars are loose or damaged. Better to know now than find out when a tractor goes through.
Access: Some grids have removable sections to access the pit below. Makes clearing much easier - worth considering if you're replacing one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cattle grids need clearing?
They fill up with mud, stones, leaves, all sorts. Once the gaps are blocked, livestock can walk straight across - defeats the whole point. Plus a blocked grid can be dodgy for vehicles, especially in wet weather.
How often should grids be cleared?
Depends where you are and what runs over it. Busy farm entrance in muddy Devon? Maybe twice a year. Quiet field access? Once a year probably does it. You'll know when it needs doing - the gaps disappear.
What's involved in clearing one?
I dig out all the packed mud and debris between the bars, clear the pit underneath if accessible, and make sure water can drain properly again. Sometimes there's years of compacted stuff in there.
Can you clear grids that are really badly blocked?
Usually yes. The worst ones take longer because the mud's like concrete and there might be stones wedged in. Occasionally I find grids that are damaged and need actual repair - I'll let you know if that's the case.
Do I need to do anything before you come?
Just make sure I can access both sides of the grid. If you've got livestock nearby, they'll need to be moved or gated off while I'm working. Don't want any escapees!
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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