Varieties of shovels for digging the earth and their functions

The shovel is an indispensable tool in many garden work. To choose the most convenient and effective tool among the assortment presented by manufacturers, it is worth understanding some of the nuances. Let's consider the types of shovels for digging the earth and their functions in more detail.

There are a large number of digging shovels. There are several main subspecies:

• for digging trenches;

• bayonet;

• soviet;

• garden;

• pedigree;

• snow;

• pitchfork.

There are also 2 large categories of tools commonly used for snow removal.

• Mechanical (or screw) - is a combination of a standard shovel and a two-turn (or three-turn) auger. It works on the following principle: when moving forward, the ribs of the auger, in contact with the ground, rotate. This species cannot throw snow far (530 cm) from the device, therefore it is not suitable for cleaning a large area (it can take a lot of effort).

• Electric - performs the same tasks as the auger device. However, it does not work from the friction of the augers on the ground, but from an electric motor, which accelerates the snow at the exit from a special nozzle. Such a device can throw snow at a distance of up to 35 m, but it is undesirable to use it for more than 20-30 minutes (the motor cools down). The unit is not able to collect wet or packed snow (due to the installation of a plastic auger). It is not necessary to remove snow from crushed stone surfaces or compacted soil with it, as this can lead to its rapid breakdown.

Most of the purpose of the shovels is described above, but there are some models that are worth considering.

The device is equipped with a rectangular blade with a pointed tip. With this design, you can easily clear the walls of a trench, well, cesspool and other similar structures without damaging them. An alternative method of application is uprooting plants with a large root system.

The main purpose of such a tool is to dig up soil. With such a device, the canvas can be formed in the shape of a square or be slightly curved, with a sharp tip. A tool with a flat blade in the shape of a square is used to dig in dense layers of earth. The curved shape is used for the same tasks as a garden shovel. The pointed tip is well suited for loose soil or planting.

The blade has a shape similar to that of a scoop, bent at a certain angle relative to the handle. Has folded edges for easy cleaning of pits. Suitable for additional work when using technology, mixing solutions.

Serves as a bayonet and shovels. Excellent for digging medium-density soils, as well as for processing large areas of land.

Designed to perform work related to bulk materials.

Has an enlarged bayonet. Products made from light types of materials (mainly plastic) are suitable for removing loose snow. For clearing wet or packed snow, specimens with an aluminum bayonet are suitable.

Multipurpose version with angled teeth and a downward center of gravity. Thanks to this, the forks lie comfortably in the hands when carrying loads. They allow you to do almost any garden work, for example, loosening the soil for fertilizing.

A device made of two interconnected canvases. Suitable for digging holes for posts.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the so-called miracle shovels. These are tools with the function of loosening the earth. Due to the peculiarity of the structure, such devices, while digging, break clods of earth in parallel. The position of the handle is much higher, which allows digging while standing, thus making it easier to work with the tool.

These shovels are great for working in the garden. There are several of their modifications.

• Potato digger - similar in shape to a pitchfork, but the principle of operation is slightly different. The tool makes the process easier and increases the digging speed. Such a device can be used to dig up various root crops (potatoes, carrots), seedlings.

• "Mole" - facilitates soil cultivation, has the property of loosening and breaks clods.

• Plowman - works on the principle of a lever system, due to which more effort is obtained. The long handle allows you to work without stress on the back.

The shovel consists of a linen, a gulenka and a shank. By design, the tools are divided into one-piece stamped and prefabricated (overhead tulle). The types of canvases and their purpose are listed above.

Cuttings are divided into 5 types:

• with forked handle;
• with a T-shaped handle;
• with a ball head;
• with a hemispherical head;
• with a ball head with a metal stem.

The landing part varies in size from 95 to 260 mm. All shovels have a conventional designation, for example, LKO-4-1300. This abbreviation stands for a sharp-pointed digging shovel with a handle of the fourth type, 1300 mm long.

If your lot is small to medium in size and you don't have the capacity to store a lot of garden tools, then the bayonet shovel is worth looking at, which is a versatile solution suitable for all types of work. Due to the popularity of this type of shovel, it will not be difficult to find it on sale.

One of the main criteria for choosing a shovel is the shape of the blade. Based on the quality of the soil on the site, you can choose a shovel blade with a rectangular blade, which is suitable for loose types of soil or sand, or a blade with a typical rounded blade, which is useful in hard soils or clay.

If during the warm period the site was started, but there is a desire to dig it up by the fall, while simultaneously getting rid of weeds, then you should take a closer look at a special shovel - its sharp blade is very similar to a saw. Devices of this type are specially made for working with hard soils or with a large number of roots.

One of the main conditions when choosing the material from which the blade is made is that it must be resistant to corrosion.

If you've opted for a steel sheet, here's a quick tip to check the quality of stainless steel: tap on the item before buying. If the steel is of high quality, then it will ring loudly upon impact.

Hybrid shovels are also very popular. They combine bayonet and shovels. Their shape is similar to that of a spoon.The blade of such a device is slightly concave, like in shovels, and the handle is bent at a small angle (and not parallel to the blade, like in bayonet products). Due to this design, the shovel allows you to bend less during operation. With such a tool, the process will be more convenient and efficient. It will also save your back from unnecessary stress.

Do not forget about the miracle shovels. This is a versatile modification of conventional shovels, with which you can loosen the soil, break up clods, remove weeds and dig root crops. Due to its design, the tool relieves the load from the back of a person, since the handle is usually not lower than the shoulder level of the user. For digging hard soil, the shovel is equipped with a rear stop, which makes it even easier to work with it.

As for the price, the simplest and cheapest option is a shovel with an iron blade and a wooden handle. It will cost about 150 rubles. A good shovel with a handle over a handle from a well-known manufacturer will cost about 550 rubles. The option with a stainless steel canvas and a handle made of lightweight composite material will cost about 700 rubles and more. Shovels with titanium blades cost much more: the blade itself is at least 1,500 rubles, the entire tool is 1,900 rubles and more. If you choose an option with a web thickness of 2 mm, it will cost you 2,000 rubles and more. Miracle shovels have a cost (depending on the model) from 590 to 1500 rubles.

Thus, when choosing a shovel, many nuances must be taken into account.

For tips on choosing a shovel, see the following video.