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Automatic fork/spade

NormandyLizNormandyLiz Posts: 190
in Tools and techniques
I came across one of these for sale while idly perusing the gardening section of the French equivalent of Gumtree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o7g1bOvRaI

Oddest thing I've seen recently! Even on that nice easy soil all it seems to do is flip it over for you. Now, if it would do my sort of average soil, pick out the creeping cinqfoil and strip off the surface layer of grass/general weeds, that would be something!

Any takers?

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 26,991
    I don't think it would deal with the bricks/glass/asbestos/plastic that form a large part of my 'soil'


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,569
    Gosh, the last time I saw one of those was way back in about 1965.  

    My mother had said that digging the heavy clay in the garden was becoming too difficult for her. My father, a bit of an engineering nerd, found a local company that was experimenting with the idea of making a spring loaded spade. He bought one and gave it to her as a present.

    Soon after, they were at a party and my dad told a male friend that he’d acquired an automatic digger. The friend said that he had one too, it was called his wife. 🙄

    In the end, the new toy was too heavy to operate. I have no idea what happened to it.
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • WhiteRabbitWhiteRabbit Posts: 51
    edited 3 February
    Similar to my 'Terex' sprung-loaded spade.  Fabulous bit of kit, but yes, it's heavy.  Great fun to use though, and easier on the back than traditional spades. I didn't realise they still made them.  Tough as old boots, had it about 40 years.
    Edited to say just checked them out online and  yes, they're obsolete but still a few out there on ebay and the like for anyone brave/daft* enough to want to give them a go.
    * delete whichever does not apply
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 7,765
    Best old item I have is an original 'Garden Claw'.  Far superior to the new imitations.  It was my Mum's, and she used it for years in her clay borders.  I now use it in the Springto break up compaction of the soil in my borders.
  • B3B3 Posts: 24,490
    You might also wish to consider one of these.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • didywdidyw Posts: 2,747
    That soil!  I would be on my hands and knees kissing it rather than turning it over.
  • NormandyLizNormandyLiz Posts: 190
    You and me both, @didyw!

    Thanks for the tip off, @B3, I shall be ordering one directly.
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