I struggled with it the last time too. I was wondering about a shop vac. I rolled the filter container around on the ground and made a total mess the last time I did it. The shop vac would be easier, if it would work, I think it would, then you could shovel it out of there if you had to. And then comes the issue of what to do with it. I am always putting dirt in my garbage cans and the can gets heavy, I am sure the garbage man hates me.