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Fork
easy
By attaching one end of a length of cord to the tops of the
centre tines of the fork, or to the bottom of the shaft, and
connecting a handle to the other end, we are able to lift the
fork from the ground by pulling up on the handle, and without
bending.
It is important
that the cord length relates to the most comfortable stance
of the operator and for most, the distance is quite similar
to the length of the shaft. I have at times used many sorts
of handle and different methods for connecting them.
The fork
in the photograph has a D-handle style which consists of one
5" piece of aluminium tube and a length of imperial standard
12 gauge galvanised wire. The wire is long enough to form the
D required and have enough extra to go through the tube and
with each end of the wire having about 2" bent over.
One end
piece is placed in the other to make a coupling. After making
the coupling, the coupled wire is bent tight to the tube at
90 degrees. The D is then given its final form and the cord
is tied onto the wire in the middle of the curve of the D. A
small slight bend to accommodate the cord could be considered.
Another
method is to use a similar piece of tube for the handle, drilling
a hole through the centre just large enough to take the cord
(smooth any burrs or rough edges). The cord is passed through
the hole and an appropriate knot is tied to stop the cord passing
back through the hole in the handle. The knot also determines
the length of the cord, and should not be difficult to undo
and alter the length if required. Perhaps the easiest simplest
method of providing a cord handle, is to cut a piece of broom
handle or similar to about 4" (100mm), find the centre point
and attach.
Super
light spade
With its very light weight combined with ergonomic design features
the spade will open up new possibilities for some people. Many
more people could benefit especially where on light soil. The
spade is constructed from light aluminium and is not nearly
as durable as a tempered steel or stainless steel spade. The
light weight is a disadvantage when pushing the blade into the
ground and entry is further impeded by the strengthening creases
in the blade and, for deeper ground insertion, the way in which
the blade is attached to the handle is yet more of an obstacle.
Dimensions: Length 42" (106cm) Weight 31oz. (880g)
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Digging
tools for juniors
Two of the tools in my digging collection were produced primarily
for junior children. Similar tools are being used by friends
who like us are happy to be as juniors, many decades on. With
the addition of a pistol grip and an arm support the tools can
be enablers for children and adults alike, and many may find
them useful in small areas and with raised soil levels. The
spade on the left of the picture has a pointed, slightly concave,
blade for added strength and rigidity. Formed from a durable
modern plastic and with a wooden shaft the tool is exceptionally
light.
Dimensions: Length 33" (84cm) Blade width 5.1/4" (1233cm)
Blade length 6.1/2" (165mm) Weight 9oz. (225g)
The spade on the right of the picture has a pointed steel blade
with turned-down shoulders to help protect feet and shoes, and
the shaft is of hardwood
Dimensions: Length 37" (94cm) Blade width 5.1/2" (14cm) Blade
length 7" (18cm) Weight 25oz. (709g)
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Long-handled
trowels
These tools are used in a way which is similar to
full-sized tools. Many users can operate them without using
a foot to insert them in the ground; however a foot can be used
where necessary. The tools are ideal for working in small areas
and awkward places, since they minimise bending and strain.
Add-on handles and arm supports can be attached to further reduce
strain, reinforce control and increase power. They can be made
more kind and easier to joints and hands by placing pipe insulation
or other similarly soft material around shafts and handles.
The trowels 1. This trowel type is becoming available at some
garden centres and other garden supply shops. The blade is constructed
from carbon steel, the shaft is paint-finished mild steel, and
the tool has a plastic T handle. This tool is relatively heavy
but robust. Dimensions: Length 41" (104cm) Blade width 3" (76mm)
Blade length 6" (152mm) Weight 31oz. (880g) 2. This trowel is
part of a combi system, combi being short for combination which
here refers to a system whereby a variety of tool heads can
be easily and quickly interchanged with compatible handles of
different lengths. The systems make it possible to carry around
more tools with less bulk, and to reduce the amount of storage
space. In this trowel section we will be looking at products
from two different combi manufacturers of which there are several
in the market place. When choosing tools it is best to try out
many as each may have different merits and can be either more,
or less, suitable for all manner of reasons. Like many other
things in life it may well be horses for courses, and in this
case the most appropriate tool for the individual needs of the
gardener and often ‘a very slight difference can make all the
difference’.
The shaft
of the trowel is light yet sturdy because it is constructed
from a lightweight and sturdy high grade aluminium with a protective
grip. The detachable top handle grip is made of plastic and
is removable to reveal a slotted rubber end piece. The slot
can be used to hang up and store the tool and to accommodate
a looped piece of cord to secure the tool to arm whilst using.
The blade is made from extremely tough forged steel, the trowel
head is fitted by inserting the hexagon-shaped steel bayonet
into the mating component in the end of the shaft, Which is
held in place by turning a knob on the side of the shaft. Dimensions:
Length 43" (109cm) Blade width 2.1/2" (62mm) Blade length 6"
(15cm) Weight 17oz. (482g) 3. This trowel has its blade fixed
to the centre tube of an ordinary arm crutch with a gutter bolt
and wing nut, the blade is liberated from an inexpensive short
handled trowel, a type which is readily available from garden
centres, garden supply shops, DIY and other sources. The cuff
of the arm is fitted with an adjustable light metal band which
allows it to accommodate arms of different thickness whilst
stopping the arm from coming out of the cuff when under pressure.
The arm crutch has a great deal of length adjustment, is relatively
light weight, durable and rust free. For me it has the endearing
quality of being simple to work on, and it is easy to find a
great variety of compatible bits and pieces to use for many
purposes, and in many configuration. Dimensions: Length from
38" (96cm) - 52" (132cm) fully extended Blade width 3.1/4" (82mm)
Blade length 5.1/2" (14cm) Weight 24oz. (680g)
4. This
trowel has telescopic handle conttruscte from steel with a plastic
coating. The top of the handle has a soft foam grip. a steel
ring for hanging it up is attached to the end. Dimensions: length
extendable from 26" (6cm) to 38" (97cm). Blade width
23/4" (95cm), blade length 51/2" (140mm), weight 24oz
(680g).
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Long
handled forks
The first fork on the left is the partner of the first trowel
on the left above, and the material and construction details
are similar. Dimensions: Length 40" (102cm) Tine width 3.1/4"
(82mm) Tine length 5.1/4" (132) Weight 25oz. (710g) Second
from the left is another combi system, with some different characteristics
to the combi mentioned in description of trowel (2). The fork
head and shaft are of mild steel with the head pressed to give
added strength and discourage bending while the part of the
tool that fits on to the shaft is of plastic, but I have known
these to snap under arduous circumstances. Fitting to the shaft
is done by simply twisting tool into place. The top handle is
made of a hard-wearing plastic contoured to reduce slippage
and the removable top cap incorporates a hanging slot, and this
slot is useful to accommodate a tool-securing cord. It is not
difficult to attach other light small tools to the top when
the cap is removed. Dimensions Length 39" (99cm) Tine width
3" (76mm) Tine length 4.3/4" (120mm) Weight 14oz. (4kg)
The fork second from the right is home made; it is produced
from a very old recycled fork head, a recycled supermop handle,
both made of steel and a bit of recycled cord. The slot at the
top accommodates the cord which is looped to secure the tool
to the arm when being used, and it is also handy for hanging
to tool to store.
Dimensions: Length 43" (109cm) Tine width 3" (76mm) Tine
length 5" (127mm) Weight 14oz. (400g) 7.
The home-made fork on the right was designed to fill a need
identified at talks and demonstrations. My wife Barbara often
uses a similar tool for lots of the smaller jobs around the
patio and the kitchen garden. We have determined that a similar
tool with a shaft about 9" - 12" longer and sporting a pistol
grip handle would be good for many people. The fork head is
recycled and is of a type not often found these days - very
strong and beautifully made. It is attached to the stout walking
stick shaft with vinyl parcel tape with a wire ring around the
steel shank at the top of the head and below the handle shaft
to accommodate a hook formed at the end of a straightened 16
gauge wire coat hanger, while the other end of the coat hanger
wire is bent and placed over a piece of pipe insulation which
makes a very soft, but durable handle to lift the fork tines
up. Instead of wire; cord, plastic or light aluminium and wooden
rods can be used for lifting the tines. Wooden rods can be helpful
to assist ground penetration for people who are not able to
assist with a foot. The hook handle of the walking stick is
forward facing, this is based on the ergonomic principle that
it increases leverage.
Dimensions: Length 38" (97cm) Tine width 3.1/2" (9cm) Tine
length 5" (13cm) Pipe insulation 3" (76mm), weight 13oz (370g).
Auxiliary
handles
Fitting additional handles to the shaft of a spade, fork, long
handled cultivator, or even a draw hoe, helps for a better grip
and reduces the need to bend. It also allows an ambient gardener
to keep both feet on the ground (except in very heavy soils).
An additional handle at 90 degrees from the shaft can be of
great help to gardeners in wheelchairs who wish to dig. Two
types of auxiliary handle are available commercially, the pistol
grip and the D handle. It is best to see which is better for
you, as it may be horses for courses.
Dimensions: Length D handle 5.3/4" (145mm) Length pistol
grip5.1/2" (140mm) Weight 3.1/2oz. (99g)
Keeping
it in the can>>>
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