Everything about shovels: types, characteristics, care

Recommendation points

• Shovel classification
• Special-purpose shovels
• Choosing a stalk
• Features of the metal working part
• Selection, refinement, storage, care

From the article you will learn about the different types of shovels, their classification by purpose, material of the shank and blade. We will tell you about traditional and special products and how to choose a shovel for your own needs. The article provides approximate prices for products of domestic and foreign production.

Shovel classification

All shovels can be conditionally divided by design features.

Bayonet shovel.Has a straight blade (“bayonet”), often pointed. It is intended for development in depth and cutting of compacted layers. The price is 1–3 USD e.

Shovel.Other names are collated, shufelny. A scoop-shaped blade at an angle of 118–126 ° to the handle. It has folded edges, which is convenient for cleaning the surface, picking holes, auxiliary work during the technique, mixing the solution. The undisputed record holder in functionality – the largest number of tasks performed by one tool. The cost is about 1.5–2 USD. e.

Garden shovel.A combination of canvases, appearance and function of the first two varieties. An attempt by engineers to replace two units with one. Ideal for medium-density digging and large digging. Often has a transverse handle at the end of the handle. Price up to 3 USD e.

Pedigree shovel.Other names – “Komsomolskaya”, polusovkovaya, “chirva”. Designed for the development of loose bulk materials, sand – can take a large volume at a time. Domestic production – 1.5-3 USD e.

Snow shovel.The main difference is an enlarged canvas made of lightweight material, often plastic. Designed for cleaning freshly fallen snow. Reinforced shovels with an aluminum blade – for removing packed and wet snow. Price from 1.5 to 5.5 USD e.

The video shows a wheel shovel from Finland

Special-purpose shovels

The listed five types of shovels are the basis that provides 100% of human needs in gardening and construction. However, there are many options created for extreme and military conditions, as well as for a specific function..

Military shovels.There are two types – infantry (MPL-50, BPL-110) and sapper (MSL-50, BSL-110). The sapper is also used as a weapon..

Tourist shovels.These are combined folding products that combine a shovel, bayonet, saw, ax and other tools. Folding or telescopic design. The price of a decent tourist shovel is about $ 100. e. Cheap analogs are unreliable due to savings in material, but cost from 15–20 USD. e.

Superlope from China on video

Other special shovels.In this category – scoops of cleaners, wooden shovels of bakers, four-meter shovels of steelmakers, pick-up scrapers and a whole armada of home-made devices for different needs.

DIY winter shovel on video

Choosing a stalk

Metal. Hollow tube made of steel or alloy. The use of metal is justified by the need to give the handle a special shape that will facilitate the work.

Benefits:

1. Convenient and reliable design.
2. Light weight.

Disadvantages:

1. Not subject to high-quality repair. In the event of a breakdown, the tool will have to look for a new application.
2. Cold metal freezes hands when working in the cold.
3. Limited set of sizes (lengths), usually three.
4. High price. Shovels with metal curved shanks cost from $ 15. e. (China, 500 mm) up to 200 cu e. (Canada, 1800 mm).

Conclusion – a shovel with a cast metal handle will pay off and will be relevant with skillful long-term work during periods of positive temperatures. Such a tool must be selected for the master individually, taking into account the range of tasks.

Wooden handle. Round wooden block O 45 mm.

Benefits:

1. Cheapness, availability (1 standard unit).
2. Easy to replace.
3. Can be cut to length and fitted with a cross handle at the end.
4. One shank can be used for multiple implements.

Disadvantages:

1. All tree problems *.
2. More weight than metal (up to 30%).
3. Straight design only.

* Wooden handles are fragile because they are made of pine. Oak and birch handles of military shovels compete in strength with hollow metal handles of “civilian” products.

Conclusion – a wooden handle, although not so convenient, but the whole product is much cheaper. In this case, the design can be varied, for example, cut to the size of a sapper shovel. Works well where different people can use the same tool, or there are different tools.

Features of the metal working part

The metal part of the shovel should be as strong as possible and at the same time lightweight. The only material that meets these conditions is steel. In the store classification, you can see the following characteristics of steel:

1. Spring or rail. Such shovels of domestic production are quite strong and reliable, in fact they are made from a steel grade close to rail. A distinctive feature is insensitive to corrosion. Reliable professional construction tool.
2. Red-hot. Products with a thickness of 1.5 mm are suitable for intermittent use in gardening purposes.
3. Polished. Polishing is done to reduce friction on the plane of the blade. Suitable for the elderly and for sticky environments (clay, loam).
4. Stainless. A rare type of tool – designed for constant work in aggressive environments – solutions, saline soil, cement.
5. Teflon coated. Even viscous soil does not stick to this coating. Teflon can be found on American shovels.

Selection, refinement, storage, care

Metal part. In all cases, when choosing, you should pay attention to the presence of stiffening ribs on the plane of the tool. They inherited from the military BSL and BLP. Such reinforcements will prolong the life of the shovel, and also provide an easy dump of the soil (it will be less sticky). It is better to sharpen the cutting edge for a specific job – digging up the soil with grass, cutting the roots.

Sharpening. Sharpening is done with an ordinary grinder, if you have an ordinary steel, stainless or aluminum shovel. Other models do not provide sharpening.

Care and storage. Keep your instrument clean and dry and it will serve you for years to come. A few tips for the longevity of your shovel:

1. Cleaning after work. Organic matter and moisture are the main sources of oxidation.
2. Timely strengthening and coloring of a wooden cutting. Do not let the implement get loose – at the slightest backlash, remove the fasteners, tap the handle towards the working part and install new fasteners. In this case, nails are more reliable than self-tapping screws..
3. Tool sharpening and straightening. The working edge must be sharpened, bends and wrinkles must be straightened. This will make work easier and save energy..
4. Set aside a sheltered area for gardening tools. It must be well ventilated and keep out moisture.

Another point is the fastening of the plate to the neck (clamp) of the cutting. It can be stamped (solid) or collapsible (riveted). The first option is completely replaced in case of a breakdown, the second – only partially and in normal mode. At the same time, more soil sticks to the riveting mount, which creates inconvenience in work.

Advice.The place of action of the main load is the transition from the canvas to the handle. There are shovels in which this transition is performed by part of the tool – from solid metal (steel). The resource of such shovels is 2-2.5 times more than usual.