What's a drain spade?

Drain spades are very narrow with slightly curved sides and a rounded tip, which makes them ideal for precise spot work like adding flowers to established beds, clearing existing trenches, and transplanting small shrubs.

What is the purpose of a drain spade?

The drain spade usually has a rounded tip and curved edges and is used for transplanting or clearing out debris from trenches. They are often referred to as transplanting spades.

Why is it called a drain spade?

A report published in 1871 by the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, Edinburgh describes the original purpose of the drain spade: digging and cleaning narrow deep ditches to drain marshy land as a way to improve it for agricultural purposes.

What is the difference between a drain spade and trenching shovel?

The key differences come into play when you need to work in a tight area. If you are working in an exact spot around a plant in the garden, a spade is the better choice. If you are digging a long trench, the shovel is the better choice.

What is the best tool to dig a trench?

Blog 4 - Dig a Better, Easier Trench

What is the fastest way to dig a trench?

Do trenching shovels work?

Despite their name, trenching shovels are not intended to dig trenches. These simple hand tools are easiest to use when the ground is slightly soft—even more so than other shovels because the long, narrow blade of a trenching shovel can break under digging pressure into hard soil.

Can you dig a trench in the rain?

Rain is the enemy of pipeliners, since it can ruin the best-cut trench, forcing on-site adaptations that take the entire crew off their normal high-productivity procedures. If the trench collapses, re-trenching is impossible because the ground will not support it. Backhoes and smaller excavators must be used.

What is the difference between a spade and a shovel?

The shovel blade tends to be larger than that found on spades. A spade generally has a relatively flat blade with straight edges. It's smaller than a shovel (although size does vary, depending on use) and the blade tends to be in line with the shaft, rather than angled forward.

What is a skinny shovel called?

A drain spade is an invaluable tool for landscaping. It has a skinny head that helps shape the soil to create a perfect hole for transplanting a shrub or tree. Although it is used for making holes, they're better at shaping ground than moving it.

What is a sharpshooter shovel?

The Sharpshooter, is also called a Tile Spade, or a Transplant Spade. It is only used for digging, though you can lift a little soil up and out of holes or trenches with it.

What does a scoop shovel do?

Scoop shovels have a scooped shape with rigid side edges, which help to hold in any material that you are moving. They are useful for moving large amounts of material, including soil, gravel, wood chippings, and debris.

What is a hand shovel?

a tool used with workers' hands. shovel. a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle.

How wide is a trenching shovel?

The Razor-Back trenching shovel is designed for digging and clearing trenches. It features a 4-inch, open-back, industrial gauge tempered steel blade. The blade width is the most common width for trenching applications.

What is the best shovel for digging a trench?

How do you dig a drainage trench?

Dig a trench that is 18 inches deep and 9–12 inches wide. Lay water-permeable landscaping fabric in the trench, followed by 3 inches of gravel. Lay your perforated drain pipe in the trench, cover with an additional 3 inches of gravel, and cover the drainage ditch with rocks, soil, or stones.

Can I use an edger to dig trench?

An edger can be used as a trencher, but you won't get the best operational efficiency. Specifically, your depth will be very limited, and the whole project will take longer to complete. However, it's possible to convert an old edger into a mini makeshift trencher.

Can I use a chainsaw to dig a trench?

In just minutes you can convert your existing chain saw to dig mini-trenches using new Mini-Trencher chains. Designed by Bill Rose, McMinnville, Ore., the chain fits most major brand chain saws. "It's designed to make small trenches for irrigation pipe and drip irrigation tubing," says Rose.

How do I get rid of a ditch in my yard?

How much trench Can you dig in a day?

Trencher Production

“Our customers look to dig 1 to 2 miles of trench per day,” says Kevin Shimp, president of Port Industries, a trencher manufacturer in Palmyra, MO. “That's one trench with one operator, opening up 10,000 feet of trench per day, whereas one excavator can open up 1,000 to 1,500 feet per day.

How long does it take to trench 100 feet?

It takes about 12 hours to dig 100 linear feet of trench.

How do you Slope a drainage ditch?

To ensure water flow, the minimum desired lengthwise slope is 1.0%. It should never be less than 0.5%. The maximum for an unlined ditch is 5%. If the slope exceeds 5%, the ditch should be lined as described below to prevent erosion.

How fast can a mini excavator dig a trench?

Dug, pipe laid and backfilled about 11 to 13hours, only digging can be done in 9 hours or so. We average 280-300 ft per hour digging a 48" deep trench with an excavator putting in non grade lines to pivots. Usually we step the trench about a foot for ease of access.