Here's a little thing I modified (with lots of thanks to original designers before me) Found a shovel head in my barn and made this.....Cuts through roots like butta....
Clean the inlet out and shove a piece of 3/4 or 1'' rigid in it, which ever fits the best weld it in. Cut length for your needs and then cut a short piece off the scrap and put a T handle on. That thing will be EXTREMELY RELIABLE!!!! For weight, 3/4 should be plenty strong at 3'.. 1" will be very hard to bend at even 4' length..
That thing is wicked looking. I saw the first pic and said, "so what's the big deal...?" Then scrolled down some more and BAM!!! Good job on that. I too agree with the handle ideas. HH \_ to you