Anyone Ever get good at using one of these?

[zendriver]

I’ve been trenching for drain tile and electrical, so I’m glad I was able to grab this old school tool at an estate auction. I have seen them in the past paying no attention to them.



Found It’s proper name “crumb shovel”. It has a sturdy 6’ wood handle and is used to smooth and the base and clean loose dirt “crumbs” out of a dirt tile trench.

Round clay or cement tile sections had to have a smooth level surface, in order to **** up tightly against adjoining tiles - without any kind of sealant. If dirt started seeping in, eventually there would be a large crater in the field, requiring it to be dug out. A large farm field might have thousands of tiles, so a good installation was important.

I just goofed with it a bit It did a super job of scooping out the crumbs that keep falling in the electrical trench, I’m waiting for my electrician.




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[Bert_]

Never had a real one like that. Still just have a sand shovel with the sides bent up and the handle bent about 90°.

 

[BFBOB]

Guessed wrong. I expected to see a picture of a banjo.

 

[cowboy73]

My dad has one. Great for cleaning out trenches. I wish I could find one for myself!

 

[Zmann]

that is clever

 

[Jarhead0408]

Does anyone still make one? The closest I can find is something called a "bottom digging shovel."

 

[zendriver]

Does anyone still make one? The closest I can find is something called a "bottom digging shovel."

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a newer model of one.

Around here, they only used clay tiles up in to the 1960s or so and even them and I think they had mechanize ways of installing them. Old-school Farm tile was dug around farms all by hand. So this thing had to be a wonder.

I’ve actually been using it today And it works great,so I could see how and This would be must have it in the farmers tool collection.

Normally if I do see one they are in pretty sad shape rusted out with rotted out handles. I was lucky to find one in this nicer shape.




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[ttpete]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a newer model of one.

Around here, they only used clay tiles up in to the 1960s or so and even them and I think they had mechanize ways of installing them. Old-school Farm tile was dug around farms all by hand. So this thing had to be a wonder.

I’ve actually been using it today And it works great,so I could see how and This would be must have it in the farmers tool collection.

Normally if I do see one they are in pretty sad shape rusted out with rotted out handles. I was lucky to find one in this nicer shape.

Back in the 1950s, there was a guy living in the thumb area of MI who designed and built a tiling machine. It dug the trenches, dropped in the tile and covered them up. This was an area that grew a lot of sugar beets. He made a lot of money doing tiling. We used to go to his place on opening day when there were still pheasant around and hunt his land.

 

[toolmiser]

I've never seen a shovel like that. I could see it being very useful.

 

[RedneckWelder]

First one I’ve ever seen also

 

[Htscheg]

Here is a company that still makes something similar:

https://www.easydigging.com/trenching-tools/trench-cleanout-shovel.html

 

[mark#3]

we called it a trenching shovel, when putting in urd for power company

 

[NUTTSGT]

Neighbor has one. He brought it over when I was digging the foundation to see if I needed it.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have a few. I have a 6" wide trench fang for my compact excavator that is 4' tall. I use it for tile and sewer installs and repair. This is the only thing that will reach the bottom to remove clods that have fallen in.

 

[pb57]

I have used them plenty of times when cleaning the trench out of footings. the scoop is adjustable to make it comfortable for varying heights. A lot of work but the easiest way to clean a deep trench (4 or 5 foot) Paul

 

[Bert_]

So I had a chance to use one like the picture this spring. I got to say I was impressed. This is now something I need.

Problem is doing some searching I can't find anyone making this style. I may end up having to build one.

 

[Davefr]

That's really cool. There are many times a tool like this would come in handy. The closest I've seen is an Oshkosh spoon and they're not cheap.

 

[vavet]

crumb shovel sounds like a euphemism for something dirty.....IDK, maybe it's just the 14 year old hormone deranged mind still in me at times.

 

[webscrounger]

Closest thing I see today is a Council (CT42 FSS) shovel/pick combo tool for the forest service.

Combi Tool; Pick & Shovel Multi-Purpose - Council Tool

Combination pick and shovel Tool with a 42 in. handle.

counciltool.com

 

[Bert_]

I've had crumb shovels that you had to push, like a sand shovel with a steeper angel. This kind let's you pull the shovel along the bottom of the trench. It so much easier, more so the deeper the trench is. I can't believe it's not a popular thing.

I think one can be made pretty easy. I can get a piece of 5" galvanized pipe no problem. Cut part of the top off and weld a couple tabs to attach the handle. Haven't decided what to use for the handle yet. Wood would be nice but not sure about finding one long enough. A piece of 1 in thin wall conduit might work good.

 

[laser3kw]

I spend a summer on a similar shovel. We called it a "spoon" and used it to clean out man hole pits for run off water.

 

[bugnut]

Buddy buys them at farm auctions, couple bucks at most. He has fond memories of using them on the home farm in his youth.