Ultra rugged shovel/digger needed - for drought lands

[outwardjourney]

Okay, so here in Texas there has been only about 5 days of decent rain so far this year in my area. The ground is cracking and compact, impenetrable to say the least.

I am in need of a heavy duty shovel/digger. The hand diggers aren't cutting it (pun intended). The dirt is simply too hard. So I want a rugged shovel that has a very low footprint. I don't want to dig ditches, just enough to put a normal sized plug.

Any suggestions?

[Hoze513]

Look at the Lecshe shovels they are strong and sharp. Or the predator they are also really good.

[outwardjourney]

Looked into predators, but they seemed rather wide. Is that the standard? I mean I want something that is maybe the size of an iPhone in actual size comparison, maybe a tad bigger. I don't want to go tearing up the ground too much. In this kind of weather any plug you dig incorrectly will definitely kill the grass without immediate water.

[Seanpaul]

What parts of Texas do you hail from? I'm in college station and our ground is nearly as bad as you describe in some spots since the drought has really affected us adversely as well. I'm headed out north west this weekend, fairly close to Sweetwater and am considering one of those hand held pick axes from home depot.

[Bentfork]

Originally Posted by outwardjourney

Okay, so here in Texas there has been only about 5 days of decent rain so far this year in my area. The ground is cracking and compact, impenetrable to say the least.

I am in need of a heavy duty shovel/digger. The hand diggers aren't cutting it (pun intended). The dirt is simply too hard. So I want a rugged shovel that has a very low footprint. I don't want to dig ditches, just enough to put a normal sized plug.

Any suggestions?

I know what you mean about hard ground. We haven't had as much rain as normal. But then the parks and schools aren't irrigated so a week after a good long rain it is already dried up. I'd suggest going to a military surplus store and buy a folding GI shovel. Take it home and cut down the sides a little and put serrations or the edges like a Lesche has. My hunting buddy has one he made like that and it works great on hard dry turf. The GI shovels now are smaller and have a handle you can put your hand through instead of just a long piece of lumber like they used to be.

G.

[mcdoogal]

Try out a predetor sampson shovel. small enough to use on yards and parks but sturdy enough to cut the rock hard soil and clear roots. I have used one for 3 years now. I re sharpen from time to time and I am happy with it. I use it to cut horseshoe plugs in most every location I hunt.

[outwardjourney]

I am West of Houston towards Katy/Brookshire area. We are -30 inches from where we normally are this time of year. It's bad. I got to thinking though I should just go clad hunting these days. The clad will drop from pockets and sit on this rock hard ground... unless it falls down the cracks large enough to twist an ankle in. LOL

I do have a military GI shovel, but it's a 3 fold one, not very sturdy. I am about to look into the sampson shovel now. I originally liked the Dixie shovel, not sure if it's too big for yards/parks.

[Seanpaul]

Its the same around here with the ground conditions and lack of rain. I just went out today to a park and it was tough digging, so I just grabbed what I could at the surface or just below. If I found a signal and could also pick it up with my pro pointer, I recovered it. If I could not get a signal with the pro pointer, I left it, just not much of a choice without a pick axe handy to break the ground. I know its tough, but I recommend getting those shallow targets like I was doing or even check out areas with sand like volley ball courts and play grounds. Until we get some rain, it's just gonna be hard labor trying to dig.

[Dustyloins]

We've had .80 inches of moisture since 1 Jan and the farmers are really hurting. I had to use my prospectors pick in a tot this last weekend to break up the soil below the pea gravel and shredded tires. My Lesche had almost no effect....

Dusty

[gsmith]

Take a look at the lesche groundshark...narrow blade...cuts nice small round plugs...very strong and rugged...

[beephead]

This is what you need. I have one and it will cut effortlessly through the toughest dirt.

http://www.predatortools.com/item_details.asp?ID=20

beephead

[randwool]

Another vote for the Predator tools at www.predatortools.com You'll actually make a cleaner plug with a small shovel than a hand digger. I use these:

[banspy]

This has always worked for me in our dry soils....

[outwardjourney]

Originally Posted by banspy

This has always worked for me in our dry soils....

Pretty much what we need here. We have 40% of scattered showers today!!!! This is almost the highest %% chance we've had all year!

[Bill_Ace_350]

If you use a military type shovel, make sure it is actual military issue. New they cost $90.00 and are very sturdy. I have seen the cheap imitation types at place like wal-mart.