Deeper digger

[johnnycat]

On rare occasions we have the opportunity to run our machines almost full bore. Two days ago I was at an old homesite and I was able to run my MXT gain at +2. Didn't find anything good but I was digging pieces of iron at an honest, measured 12". Needless to say at that point I couldn't get very good leverage on my digger, (9" blade). I guess I could make wider holes but, that would take longer. So...my question is, do any of you folks you a shovel of some kind for those deep targets? What kind? And are they are pain to lug around? Thanks.

 

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[pegleglooker]

I use a old army shovel called " entrenching " tool. It can easily fold into a backpack. see pix

PLL

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I have a bulky "D" handled trenching shovel I've been dragging around but just replaced it with this from Pamela Lesche at Predator Tools. It's their Dixie LB long-handled relic shovel. It has enough blade to dig but is a nice, handy package. Very well made and seems to be solid and heavy duty. I made a cover out of steam hose reenforced with two laters of 6 oz fiberglass in epoxy and I use it as a walking stick when "bushwacking".

Not what you want to pull out on a soccer field when the grounds crew is around but really a good digger where holes can be made. Really handy when working cornfields as I can turn a plug without bending over.

 

[johnnycat]

I have a bulky "D" handled trenching shovel I've been dragging around but just replaced it with this from Pamela Lesche at Predator Tools. It's their Dixie LB long-handled relic shovel. It has enough blade to dig but is a nice, handy package. Very well made and seems to be solid and heavy duty. I made a cover out of steam hose reenforced with two laters of 6 oz fiberglass in epoxy and I use it as a walking stick when "bushwacking".

Not what you want to pull out on a soccer field when the grounds crew is around but really a good digger where holes can be made. Really handy when working cornfields as I can turn a plug without bending over.

Now we're talking.

 

[Fisher]

I ran into the same problem last year. A few weeks ago I went to the local hardware store and found a utility shovel. It has a smaller head than a regular round point shovel and the total length was only about 24". I took the original handle out and installed a longer D handle making it about 32" long. I had to cut some of the new handle down to make it fit better in the smaller head. The measurements are estimated but it fits me perfectly. It is very light and long enough to be used as a walking stick. I finally got to try it out two weeks ago and found that I was not as tired at the end of the day as I would have been using my hand trowel. The only complaint I have about using a shovel is sometimes it gets in the path of my swing, especially going uphill. All in all...
Utility shovel - $10
New longer D handle - $10
Not having to get up and down 1,000 times a day, cutting a good plug without getting your knees dirty, and only having $20 in a good digger - priceless!

 

[BuckleBoy]

I've always hunted with those entrenching shovels--mine is Vietnam-Era...but after using my friend's long-handled shovel, I've realized that for cornfields, long-handles are where it's at.


-Buckleboy

 

[Hill Billy]

Google search Lady Gardener and you will find the digging tool of all digging tools.Can't be used on the president's lawn though. :P

 

[BuckleBoy]

Oh, and I should tell you a tip for digging a really deeeep hole: As a shovel-dug hole gets deeper, it will naturally get narrower--DANGER! You don't wanna scratch the heck out of the target. When it gets deep, go in and angle down and away from the bottom of the hole (you don't have to widen it to do this). That way you don't scratch your Civil War plate when you bring it up.

-Buckleboy

 

[Elad]

It was suggested by a friend to try a Predator Model 80 Relic Pro (either T or D)

I went with the T model. It's absolutely perfect, and very strong. There is no way I will ever be able to break it. It cuts through roots well too.

Go look for yourselves : http://www.predatortools.com/

 

[mastereagle22]

I have a similar shovel. It's called the little eagle. Shorter, easier to carry and has a T handle. Made by Lesche I believe.

 

[Eu_citzen]

I use this honey, can do both big and small holes, brakes big roots and cuts trough soil very easy..
Very good all round.

 

[Roln99]

Hey, check out my post on Improved Sample Panning

 

[Eu_citzen]

Hey, check out my post on Improved Sample Panning

What the heck does that have to do with deep diggers? Beats me.

 

[jocap]

The folding army shovel pegleg spoke about above, is available in WalMart ( camping supply isle) for $8. It can also be had at Army/Navy supply stores for about the same price.

 

[pyledriver]

If you want a folding shovel, check out the Gerber e-tool! You can find them on ebay for a good deal at times...but they're not real cheap new! They run about $40-50! I have one and it makes all the other e-tools I've seen look like junk!

No pics but I have a 'sharpshooter' shovel I bought for my landscape biz that goes with me detecting old farms. It's got a plastic 'unbreakable' handle, and I've sharpened the edges of the shovel to the point that I can lop off smaller branches if I have to bushwhack to a site! Naturally it digs well.

 

[boogeyman]

The folding army shovel pegleg spoke about above, is available in WalMart ( camping supply isle) for $8. It can also be had at Army/Navy supply stores for about the same price.

You'd do better with the surplus shovels. I've busted two of the black E tools from Walmart. The nut that allows the handle to swivel is made out of jap crud metal and doesn't hold up well.

Some surplus stores have the German ones that are built tough and have the pick that can be swung out to use if needed. $9.99 even comes with a leather sheath. The pick can puncture a 55 gal drum without hardly messing up the paint. DON'T ASK HOW I KNOW