TM 9-243TYPES AND USESDigging tools are designed for the breaking and diggingof soil. Common types of digging tools are the long-handled and D-handled shovel, spade, posthole digger,and auger.LONG-HANDLED SHOVELThe long-handled shovel consists of a curved, shapedsteel blade attached to a long wooden handle. The lowermetal edge of the blade is tapered to help it cut into theground. The long-handled shovel is used for heavy dig-ging, especially when it is necessary to throw or movedirt a substantial distance.D-HANDLED SHOVELThe D-handled shovel resembles the long-handledshovel except that it has a shorter handle with aD-shaped handgrip at the end. The D-handled shovel isused for light work or for digging in cramped, tightplaces.SPADEThe spade, like the shovel, has a steel blade attached toa wooden handle. The blade may be rounded, pointedor square in shape and the handle may have the D orT-shaped handgrip. The spade is used for heavy dig-ging or in confined areas.POSTHOLE AUGERThe posthole auger is a long tool made up of a steelshaft that has two shovel-like blades at one end. Theblades have curved faces which are hinged to permitslight movement with the concave surfaces of theseblades facing each other. The posthole auger is used tobore holes in the ground for posts, poles and explosivecharges.POSTHOLE DIGGERThe posthole digger has two concave blades similar tothe posthole auger except that each blade is fastened toa long, wooden handle. The blades are hinged at the topso that separating the handles will close them and mov-ing the handles together will open them. Like the auger,the posthole digger is used to bore holes in the groundfor posts, explosive charges and similar jobs.51-2
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