the right shovel for the job
There are a lot of different types of shovels out there, but with the right tool, not only will you save your back, you’ll work faster and smarter, too!
SQUARE-TIPPED SAND SHOVEL — When you have a lot of soil, compost, sand or fine mulch delivered, a square-tipped sand shovel can move a lot of material quickly, but it’s not too heavy to lift. Upturned edges hold the material, and the flat blade edge makes it easy to scrape the last traces off a sidewalk or out of a truck.
POINTED-TIP SHOVEL — If you’re digging a hole or scooping mulch or compost out of a pile, instead of off a flat surface, you may find the pointed blade of a pointed-tip shovel digs into the pile more easily than a flat blade does. A pointed-tip shovel is great for moving a lot of material quickly, but be careful not to wreck the point of the blade by scraping it along a sidewalk or driveway.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR —?The bigger the “business end” of the tool, the faster you’ll be able to move stuff, as long as you can lift it.
A short D-ring or strap handle helps balance the weight and gives you a place to grip the end of the tool so it doesn’t twist or tip when you’re moving a full load. These handles are short, too, so they’re easy to maneuver in a tight space or if you’re not very tall. When you’re buying a digging tool, pick up several and hold them like you’re going to use them to see what feels best to you.
To make working with any digging tool a breeze, try the ToolStep, at right!
