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Long handled shovel

Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 16:55

Member - Bob L

Seen many references to long handled shovels for digging out under 4wd etc. Local Mitre 10 have a "Cyclone" post hole shovel on special for $19.95 with a square nose. Is this ok or am I better off with a round nosed job ($34) which looks a better shape for digging the dunny hole?

Bob L

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ThreadID: 12534 Replies: 8
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AnswerID: 56853   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 17:17

Member - JohnR (Vic) replied:

Bob L I have a post hole shovel in my kit with the rounded off corners. The main think I guess is that you don't cut or damage anything you may hit underneath as you reach the sand or mud. I can not recall using a pointed spades shaped shovel in my life but guess I have. Remember you will seldom have to clean off a flat surface like concrete with it.
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Cheers,
Who?
John
Multi famam, conscientiam pauci verentur
Reply 1 of 8
FollowupID: 318629   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 17:57

Member - Bob L posted:

JohnR
The one I'm looking at has a flat square blade with round corners. The alternative is more pointy similar to the short 4wd/camping spade which I also have.
It looks like the square end is most popular, now I only have to work out were to put it.

Cheers Bob L
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 318630   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 18:04

Member - JohnR (Vic) posted:

Bob L

Reckon you are online with that one I agree with the comments below. Sometimes you need that strength like you have with the post hole shovel. We have a kit of two or three for the farm, I just pinch one for the 4by.
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Cheers,
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John
Multi famam, conscientiam pauci verentur
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 56855   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 17:26

Member - Rick (S.A.) replied:

Go the square nose.

Only after you have used the round nosed will you have wished you got the other.

have a look at a fencing contractors gear if you don't believe me.

they are much easier to load up with soil/sand & to dig with

Good price, too

cheers
Reply 2 of 8
AnswerID: 56857   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 17:35

navaraman replied:

Square nosed has a better cutting action if you need to cut the tops of wheel ruts for example. Always carry one in my car, I usually carry two anyway, many hands make light work.
Reply 3 of 8
AnswerID: 56869   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 19:24

Member - Rick (S.A.) replied:

Bob L

Miners use the rounded corner shovels i.e. the ones that are 'pointy', or even shaped (roughly) as a triangle. It is the only way to load a shovel of tough rock or freshly blasted rubble.

In these circumstances, the square post hole shovel with rounded corners are no where near as good.

Nor is your traditional square mouthed shovel, which is ideal for concrete mixing, moving dirt/sand etc. They move twice the amount of a long handled shovel in that envionment with the same amount of work.

Cheers
Reply 4 of 8
FollowupID: 318647   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 20:11

Member - Bob L posted:

Thanks everyone,
Not much sand around here so small spade has been ok todate for digging a hole or levelling the camper and cant say Ive been bogged except for the odd failure to proceed.
Heading for the Gulf in August on our own hence need to update all necessary gear requirements.
Square end seems most popular- Ill get one tomorrow.

Cheers
Bob L
FollowUp 1 of 1
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AnswerID: 56879   Submitted: Saturday, May 01, 2004 at 21:31

Des Lexic replied:

Bob, Broke the wooden handled one recently and went to buy a new handle. Price was $26 and only $20 for a new shovel with fibreglass handle. No prizes for guessing what I did. I store it across the back of the drivers seat on the floor under a false floor.
It's not the years of your life that matters, it's the life in your years that count.
Reply 5 of 8
AnswerID: 56904   Submitted: Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 09:53

Member -Bob & Lex (Sydney) replied:

I have he square mouth with rounded edges & it works great for all occasions. I store it in shovel holders mounted on the roof rack, get them from 4by shops.
Regards Bob
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Reply 6 of 8
AnswerID: 56943   Submitted: Sunday, May 02, 2004 at 17:17

Crackles replied:

I'd suggest the wooden handled post hole shovel. Avoid the fibreglass or plastic ones as they flex too much when digging & the rubber grips come loose. Don't get them mixed up with the irrigation shovel which looks the same but doesn't have the reinforcing ribs on the blade. cheers Craig.....................
Reply 7 of 8
AnswerID: 56976   Submitted: Monday, May 03, 2004 at 01:02

brownie replied:

If you have a 75 series landcruiser then the shovel fits into the front chassis crossmember - just the right diameter for the handle, just the right length.
Reply 8 of 8