September
2006
Trenching Shovel
This is another one of those tools that pays for themselves in a relatively short amount of time, even with one job. A trenching shovel can be a very handy tool when installing your sprinkler system, even if you are using a trencher or pipe puller to put most of the line in.
A 4″ trenching shovel is a pretty good size, and works great for digging trenches for your sprinkler line, but for me it works even better to clean out the trenches. Once you get them initially dug, there always going to be bunch of loose dirt and clumps in the bottom of your trench, and a regular shovel is too wide. Also using your hands to clean it out works real well, but then you are bent over the whole time. The trenching shovel fits right in the trench really nicely and makes it fast and easy to clean out the trench before you lay your line in it.
You can usually get these at about any sprinkler supply store or a sprinkler supply store online. Sometimes you might find a trenching shovel at the general hardware store, but not too often, and that may be why most people have never heard of or seen a shovel shaped like this.
The trenching shovel is not something that you would use very often aside from trenching, of course, but it will be well worth your money and time to have one.