Needing a new Shovel

[mntnflyr4fun]

I have an old lesche shovel about 30" long and 4" wide that just isn;t working for me any longer and I need something new as it is a) to short (I can;t bend as well as I used to) and is really to narrow for my foot and I can no longer get the leverage needed to drive it into the ground without my foot slipping off in wet /muddy conditions,
I have been looking at some of the options from Predator tools that look pretty good but don't know anything about them so was wondering what others are using and satisfied with.
I want to make sure whatever I go with has a robust handle and blade that can withstand prying as I won't be on my knees digging like I did in the good ol days.

Any suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated as there are so many new manufacturers and models its pretty confuserating........
Thanks to all who take the time......

 

[Odanscoils]

For years I preferred long skinny ditch digging shovels. Though I had to weld a foot step on them.
They kept disappearing. To many sons with to many projects. So I bought this thing.

Like you I have trouble getting up anymore.
I love this shovel. Very well built. Strong.
Called "The Big'R Digger".
Perfect height for walking.
We're not allowed to show any sellers outside of the forum. So I can't show you where I bought it.
Just search the name.

 

[Ohio pull tabs]

I have an old lesche shovel about 30" long and 4" wide that just isn;t working for me any longer and I need something new as it is a) to short (I can;t bend as well as I used to) and is really to narrow for my foot and I can no longer get the leverage needed to drive it into the ground without my foot slipping off in wet /muddy conditions,
I have been looking at some of the options from Predator tools that look pretty good but don't know anything about them so was wondering what others are using and satisfied with.
I want to make sure whatever I go with has a robust handle and blade that can withstand prying as I won't be on my knees digging like I did in the good ol days.

Any suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated as there are so many new manufacturers and models its pretty confuserating........
Thanks to all who take the time......

I have a couple of predator shovels they are great

 

[Rick(ND)]

For years I preferred long skinny ditch digging shovels. Though I had to weld a foot step on them.
They kept disappearing. To many sons with to many projects. So I bought this thing.

Like you I have trouble getting up anymore.
I love this shovel. Very well built. Strong.
Called "The Big'R Digger".
Perfect height for walking.
We're not allowed to show any sellers outside of the forum. So I can't show you where I bought it.
Just search the name.

Looks like a great shovel and would do the trick for many of us that do farm fields.
The only thing is using these in parks and lawns as some say the shovels do a great job digging plugs and able to make it look good. I know many use these in parks and such and seen some videos that look great, but also seen some where they dig some big holes too, so lot of this is those that know how to pinpoint and cut a nice plug and put it back in the hole the way the plug came out. I also see in person myself many hear a beep and in a big hurry to dig and dont take the time to pinpoint so they dig a bigger plug. I seen a plug that was 15 inch diameter and they missed the coin they were after.
detecting with a shovel in a park and such even though they dig small plugs and and able to do perfect plugs the people that see this may complain as they see you big deep holes they call it.
I checked on these shovels you use and find out they are not available at this time and dont know when they will be, but I found one and going to give it a try in some of my fields I can work and even in some of the parks that are older and not been used for a while and see if I can do good plugs and not digger bigger that I need and see how it goes. The main reason is I need help getting up and down and with this I dont have to get down as often and can use the shovel as a cane to get up when I have to get down on my knees. for digging in my fields I was using the Samson shovels, but they are too short to use for me to get up is I go down.

Many of us that are older we need some kind of help if we are going to go out and enjoy our great hobby.

Rick

 

[mntnflyr4fun]

My two big issues with what I have are: 1. not enough of a step to get the blade digging, and 2. 30" OAL is just two short for me these days.
I appreciate all the info and comments, I see there are many great options so now will focus on finding the best overall fit/cost....

 

[Odanscoils]

Looks like a great shovel and would do the trick for many of us that do farm fields.
The only thing is using these in parks and lawns as some say the shovels do a great job digging plugs and able to make it look good. I know many use these in parks and such and seen some videos that look great, but also seen some where they dig some big holes too, so lot of this is those that know how to pinpoint and cut a nice plug and put it back in the hole the way the plug came out. I also see in person myself many hear a beep and in a big hurry to dig and dont take the time to pinpoint so they dig a bigger plug. I seen a plug that was 15 inch diameter and they missed the coin they were after.
detecting with a shovel in a park and such even though they dig small plugs and and able to do perfect plugs the people that see this may complain as they see you big deep holes they call it.
I checked on these shovels you use and find out they are not available at this time and dont know when they will be, but I found one and going to give it a try in some of my fields I can work and even in some of the parks that are older and not been used for a while and see if I can do good plugs and not digger bigger that I need and see how it goes. The main reason is I need help getting up and down and with this I dont have to get down as often and can use the shovel as a cane to get up when I have to get down on my knees. for digging in my fields I was using the Samson shovels, but they are too short to use for me to get up is I go down.

Many of us that are older we need some kind of help if we are going to go out and enjoy our great hobby.

Rick

For nice lawns and good sod. I use a mason trowel.
I round and sharpen the edges. Then gently dull the edge so it won't cut my gloves or fingers.
In anything but dried clay. It slices like butter.
So clean after I'm done and walk a few ft away.
I can't tell where I've been.
Notice the edges of the trowel.
Though he asked about shovels.
Yes the shovel is for fields and construction sites.
My two favorite digging tools.
The mini matox is my fav in sand and gravel.
The old screwdriver I heated and hammered out to a hooked scoop. Great tool around roots.
In Ohio. Roots are everywhere.

 

[T-DUB]

I have always heard that the line of Predator are a solid investment. Going on two years now I have been using the Sir Kay by Excalibur, just one of the varieties in the lineup. It is a t-handle shovel, 40 inches long. There are numerous spade sizes and Casey will even fabricate the shovel to your desired length. The D handle is also an option.

 

[Confetrit]

My two big issues with what I have are: 1. not enough of a step to get the blade digging, and 2. 30" OAL is just two short for me these days.
I appreciate all the info and comments, I see there are many great options so now will focus on finding the best overall fit/cost....

Best of Luck to you. It's out there, and you'll find the shovel right for you.

 

[fwcrawford]

I purchased a Model 35 Piranha shovel made by Predator tools a couple years ago and really like it..great for woods and field where digging is not an issue.
For yards, parks, and schoolyards I only use a Lesche digger or a Raptor digger.

 

[daddyflea]

I did a video on shovels. Not where i can link it right now, but Predator Tools Hurricane or Piranna is what you want.

 

[BobOso]

I have an old lesche shovel about 30" long and 4" wide that just isn;t working for me any longer and I need something new as it is a) to short (I can;t bend as well as I used to) and is really to narrow for my foot and I can no longer get the leverage needed to drive it into the ground without my foot slipping off in wet /muddy conditions,
I have been looking at some of the options from Predator tools that look pretty good but don't know anything about them so was wondering what others are using and satisfied with.
I want to make sure whatever I go with has a robust handle and blade that can withstand prying as I won't be on my knees digging like I did in the good ol days.

Any suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated as there are so many new manufacturers and models its pretty confuserating........
Thanks to all who take the time......

I added 4 inches to my lesche, I bend and weld a lot of 1"od pipe, it was the perfect size.