A "Shovel Ready" project!

[DAD1220]

Thanks, I feel better...pic to follow.

IslandTractor, if it doesn't fit, I'll write for your address...ha...

 

[k0ua]

Hard to believe that is has been almost 6 years since I started this project. I use the shovel just a few days ago to help a 80+ year old neighbor dig out a driveway entrance. He was up there trying to do it with a shovel. The kind with a wooden handle. :shocked:

It took me minutes to do it with this little bucket shovel, that would have taken him hours. My little bucket spade thingy, is still going strong. I still have never painted it.

 

[IslandTractor]

I don't use my Quickspade more than a couple of times a year but it sure is handy. I was asked by a neighbor to help planting a tree by digging a five foot diameter two foot deep hole and lifting a 20ft tree and rootball into the hole. It turned out that the day of the project was when we got the tail end of Hurricane Matthew and I wasn't thrilled with the idea of switching out my flail mower for the backhoe (always takes half an hour outside). Instead I put on the forks and quickspade. Only took three or four minutes to dig the hole and another ten to place the tree. I probably should have planned to use the spade from the beginning rather than backhoe. Great addition if you have a set of forks.

 

[k0ua]

I don't use my Quickspade more than a couple of times a year but it sure is handy. I was asked by a neighbor to help planting a tree by digging a five foot diameter two foot deep hole and lifting a 20ft tree and rootball into the hole. It turned out that the day of the project was when we got the tail end of Hurricane Matthew and I wasn't thrilled with the idea of switching out my flail mower for the backhoe (always takes half an hour outside). Instead I put on the forks and quickspade. Only took three or four minutes to dig the hole and another ten to place the tree. I probably should have planned to use the spade from the beginning rather than backhoe. Great addition if you have a set of forks.

Yeah, mine won't dig as deep as your quick spade on a set of forks, but around here we hit shelf rock sometimes before I bottom out anyway. Just depends on how much real dirt has accumulated over the rock over the centuries. Lots of places in my yard the bare rock is shining thru. Some places I can dig the full 18 inches though.

It is not something I use every day, either, but is sure has come in handy. It did my heart good to help that older fella and save his back. Another neighbor, the highway patrolman came and helped clean up the edges with a shovel, and between us we had the job done in minutes.

Looking back in this old thread, several had commented it wouldn't hold up, or it would tear up the bucket, but none of those things have happened. My welds may not always be pretty, but so far what I have stuck together with the "stick" has remained stuck.

 

[IslandTractor]

I wish I had the Quickspade version that attaches to either forks or bucket. They came out with the dual function version later and I have the original forks only type. Many projects would be even easier with the bucket version. Very simple and useful tool.

 

[Catoosa]

Just ran across this thread, great project and just exactly what I was looking for. A shovel handle just doesn't fit my 72 year old hands

Hoping I can build something from what I can find in my scrap pile. Whatever it ends up being won't be exactly like yours. Thinking before I actually look... Pretty sure I have a 5 foot piece of 7/16 inch about 11 inches wide, should be a good start.

 

[k0ua]

Just ran across this thread, great project and just exactly what I was looking for. A shovel handle just doesn't fit my 72 year old hands

Hoping I can build something from what I can find in my scrap pile. Whatever it ends up being won't be exactly like yours. Thinking before I actually look... Pretty sure I have a 5 foot piece of 7/16 inch about 11 inches wide, should be a good start.

Yep, build it up, and it will save some backbreaking work. I don't use mine every day, but when I have needed it, the thing has been really handy.

 

[IslandTractor]

Yep, build it up, and it will save some backbreaking work. I don't use mine every day, but when I have needed it, the thing has been really handy.

Times 2

 

[Catoosa]

Brain is going to work, maybe I should start another thread?

Thinking if I could figure out a way to bend the sides of that 11 inch piece of steel I have I could form somewhat of a shovel shape Hummm....

 

[IslandTractor]

Brain is going to work, maybe I should start another thread? Thinking if I could figure out a way to bend the sides of that 11 inch piece of steel I have I could form somewhat of a shovel shape Hummm....

Cheap way, if you don't have access to a good sized press would be to simply weld some angle iron to the side edges of the 11" steel and then weld additional steel to that to raise the sides. No rule that a bucket shovel needs to win a beauty contest. The angle iron would reenforce the steel too.