Shovel/Spade for moving soil?

[MisterBoy]

We've had some ground scraped and ended up with a large pile of what is mostly good topsoil, but includes bits of root and turf and small stones and so on.

My builder's shovel makes tough work of it and I'm wondering if there's a specific tool designed for this, able to lift the soft soil but not bounce off the tiniest root or stone?

 

[StephenOak]

I'd go for a Newcastle draining tool like this
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-All-Steel-Professional-Newcastle-Draining-Tool/p/167425

With a large blade you can use it as a shovel in loose material, but having a narrow end the energy is concentrated and it will cut through a lot. Also being all steel you put some real heft into it.

 

[lostinthelight]

In my opinion the spade linked to is just too small to move any volume.
What surface is the spoil heap tipped on to, if hard there should be no problem with a tapered mouth builders shovel if you shovel from the outer edge with it flat on the ground.
If its on softer ground, it helps to lay a flat board or metal sheet as close as possible and pull the spoil onto it with a rake or digging hoe . Its then easy to shovel off.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/27425268...U1w2v1k5kELd4BGVhwQDluPkSoxGsmERoC7hkQAvD_BwE

 

[StephenOak]

In my opinion the spade linked to is just too small to move any volume.

It depends on the nature of the material. If I have a load of loose soil then I use a really large shovel like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Digging-D-Shape-Handle-Approx/dp/B015BGEEQI

But despite how it is labelled on Amazon that is hopeless for digging, and if it hits, say, stones or clumps it stops.

 

[lostinthelight]

It depends on the nature of the material. If I have a load of loose soil then I use a really large shovel like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stanley-Digging-D-Shape-Handle-Approx/dp/B015BGEEQI

But despite how it is labelled on Amazon that is hopeless for digging, and if it hits, say, stones or clumps it stops.

It wasn't for digging I suggested it for but dragging the spoil off the heap onto a flatter surface where it could be shovelled easier .When one is on the climb up to 80 one learns to work smarter , not harder

 

[StephenOak]

It wasn't for digging I suggested it

If you have a load of soil with roots & stones in it, which has inevitably compacted somewhat under its own weight then shovelling it away is somewhat close to digging.

but dragging the spoil off the heap onto a flatter surface

There you were talking about a rake or hoe, which nothing to do with what I said.

IME a Newcastle tool is the smart option for what the OP wants. It can shift volume if the material is loose and can also cope with harder bits. YMMV.

 

[lostinthelight]

I have one of those drainage spades and its only just over 100 mm wide so loose stuff falls off, digs great in hard stuff though

 

[Charlie George]

This might help

 

[MisterBoy]

Thanks guys. The 'digging spade' above is basically what I have. Wonderful until there is anything 'blocking it' like a twig then it virtually stops like it hits a wall. On this project it's soil from our garden that was excavated so it's not graded at all. Bits of turf are a real killer.

Is the Newcastle tool similar to a fence-post digging spade, or different? I'm slowly gathering a good assortment of tools but own nothing like that. I can imagine as our soil is quite rich and thick it would (probably) hold together enough to work especially when damp.

 

[StephenOak]

Is the Newcastle tool similar to a fence-post digging spade,

AFAIUI they were originally designed for digging trenches for drains and such like, where you need a deep but narrow trench.

I believe that people use then for making holes for fence posts, where again you want a deep but narrow hole, in this case narrow in two directions. When I have needed to do something like that I have used an auger.

I use mine more than any other spade / shovel as it does a good job both digging & shovelling.

 

[MisterBoy]

Thanks. In that case it seems something buying. Nice to be able to sink my own posts without paying someone

 

[foxhole]

Shovel is fine with correct technique .

 

[MisterBoy]

Shovel is fine with correct technique .

Not hugely helpful unless you elucidate what that technique is, can you?
A shovel in my experience doesn't work when there are lumps or it's packed firm, only loose stuff. That's why the round headed 'Cornish shovel' is one of my favourites for gravel, crusher run...

 

[foxhole]

Not hugely helpful unless you elucidate what that technique is, can you?
A shovel in my experience doesn't work when there are lumps or it's packed firm, only loose stuff. That's why the round headed 'Cornish shovel' is one of my favourites for gravel, crusher run...

You push the shovel along the ground under the pile , never into it . You can shovel coal with ease if you go under it , you would never try to push a shovel into it.

 

[scbk]

A round mouth shovel with not too big a head, or if you want a long handle, then a paddy shovel


https://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-round-head-shovel/627kh


https://bulldoghandtools.co.uk/bull...tern-round-shovel-54-shaped-handle-230514547t