LONG-HANDLED SHOVEL

CHAPTER 51 DIGGING TOOLS

USING THE LONG-HANDLED SHOVEL

TM-9-243 Use and Care of Selected Hand Tools and Measuring Tools Manual
Page Navigation
259

TM 9-243 TYPES AND USES Digging tools are designed for the breaking and digging of soil. Common types of digging tools are the longhandled and D-handled shovel, spade, posthole digger, and auger. LONG-HANDLED SHOVEL The long-handled shovel consists of a curved, shaped steel blade attached to a long wooden handle. The lower metal edge of the blade is tapered to help it cut into the ground. The long-handled shovel is used for heavy digging, especially when it is necessary to throw or move dirt a substantial distance. D-HANDLED SHOVEL The D-handled shovel resembles the long-handled shovel except that it has a shorter handle with a D- shaped handgrip at the end. The D-handled shovel is used for light work or for digging in cramped, tight places. SPADE The spade, like the shovel, has a steel blade attached to a wooden handle. The blade may be rounded, pointed or square in shape and the handle may have the D or T- shaped handgrip. The spade is used for heavy digging or in confined areas. POSTHOLE AUGER The posthole auger is a long tool made up of a steel shaft that has two shovel-like blades at one end. The blades have curved faces which are hinged to permit slight movement with the concave surfaces of these blades facing each other. The posthole auger is used to bore holes in the ground for posts, poles and explosive charges. POSTHOLE DIGGER The posthole digger has two concave blades similar to the posthole auger except that each blade is fastened to a long, wooden handle. The blades are hinged at the top so that separating the handles will close them and moving the handles together will open them. Like the auger, the posthole digger is used to bore holes in the ground for posts, explosive charges and similar jobs. 51-2

Privacy Statement
Press Release
Contact