Mole Spades

[earth-thrower 493]

I could never get any hand trowel to last in the early days,especially when i started setting larger amounts of traps ! maybe i just bought cheap rubbish though. LOL

[d6k 11]

Living in a big city I don't get much work on farms and to be honest I wouldn't want it. I had 30 traps down last week on site in the dales, covered in mud and freezing cold not my idea of fun, did make a fair few quick off it tho and considerably more than £10 a mole

[earth-thrower 493]

What does everyone use?

 

I've got some ancient mole spuds here, but they cost too much to risk for day to day work.

 

For the last few years I've been using a 'junior' spade, which is very well made from Stainless Steel, but is a little short.

 

I've also got one of the new spades from Cheftain Forge here, which I don't much like. When I contacted Cheftain Forge to discuss it they've made me something that is much better.

 

So what does everyone else use? I have to admit that about half the runs that I open up I just use my hands. I tend to find that I damage the runs much less lifting the turf off the top rather than digging into them.

Interesting post Matt,like yourself i discovered the mole spade made by chieftain forge.Liked the look of it from the photo,took a chance and sent for one.Was a bit disappointed with it though,its far too heavy duty for the job.(especially if your still a foot soldier ,like myself LOL) Its good your getting one customed.I think the guy once repaired some original 'molespuds', a moleman brought to him.He based his design on these.

What does everyone use?

 

I've got some ancient mole spuds here, but they cost too much to risk for day to day work.

 

For the last few years I've been using a 'junior' spade, which is very well made from Stainless Steel, but is a little short.

 

I've also got one of the new spades from Cheftain Forge here, which I don't much like. When I contacted Cheftain Forge to discuss it they've made me something that is much better.

 

So what does everyone else use? I have to admit that about half the runs that I open up I just use my hands. I tend to find that I damage the runs much less lifting the turf off the top rather than digging into them.

Interesting post Matt,like yourself i discovered the mole spade made by chieftain forge.Liked the look of it from the photo,took a chance and sent for one.Was a bit disappointed with it though,its far too heavy duty for the job.(especially if your still a foot soldier ,like myself LOL) Its good your getting one customed.I think the guy once repaired some original 'molespuds', a moleman brought to him.He based his design on these.

Those metal straps that are attached to the wooden shaft,(to strengthen it, i thought at first)are far too long,and add alot of extra weight.The guy said it was also to save wear on the shaft ,when your moving it forwards and backwards,when your working at depth.He must have presumed we were going to be digging down up to a metre,for moles !, until i enlightened him.LOL Edited January 21, 2013 by earth-thrower

[leegreen 2,151]

got to say , if you boys are trapping with loads of traps in wet weather , you gonna have a hell of a job with trowels and knives, they soon get clogged up and hard to grip,a t handled mole spade can be hard enuff to work with

Don't do wet weather. I only do moles for myself or friends, so I can wait until the conditions are better.

But you are right, as soon as it gets a bit muddy, it's like greasing your tool handles .

[Matt 160]

Those metal straps that are attached to the wooden shaft,(to strengthen it, i thought at first)are far too long,and add alot of extra weight.The guy said it was also to save wear on the shaft ,when your moving it forwards and backwards,when your working at depth.He must have asumed we where going to be digging down up to a metre,for moles !, until i enlightened him.LOL

 

Likewise.

 

Walter is a really nice guy, but I'm not sure where he got his ideas on molecatching from.....

 

If you want a nice little spade for less money, ring him and ask for the 'Matt the Rat' type.

[Matt 160]

got to say , if you boys are trapping with loads of traps in wet weather , you gonna have a hell of a job with trowels and knives, they soon get clogged up and hard to grip,a t handled mole spade can be hard enuff to work with

 

Wise words Yoda

 

It's jobs like these:

 

 

That test the molecatcher

Edited January 21, 2013 by Matt the Rat

[earth-thrower 493]

Those metal straps that are attached to the wooden shaft,(to strengthen it, i thought at first)are far too long,and add alot of extra weight.The guy said it was also to save wear on the shaft ,when your moving it forwards and backwards,when your working at depth.He must have asumed we where going to be digging down up to a metre,for moles !, until i enlightened him.LOL

 

Likewise.

 

Walter is a really nice guy, but I'm not sure where he got his ideas on molecatching from.....

 

If you want a nice little spade for less money, ring him and ask for the 'Matt the Rat' type.

Good stuff mate,I could be confident,it would be more suitable.

[Matt 160]

The only picture I have of it:

 

[earth-thrower 493]

Any chance of a photo or two of your old mole spuds ? LOL

[Matt 160]

Any chance of a photo or two of your old mole spuds ? LOL

 

I'll see what I can find........ it may not be today though.

[earth-thrower 493]

The only picture I have of it:

 

I see the changes Matt,and it looks good.

[tilimangro 1,013]

brickies trowel for me

[riverman 3]

hi, i also use the junior spade,cracking little tool,light as a feather,i also use mine for detecting and digging black lug on the beach!

[derbylad1 293]

As another dreaded hobbiest I had a spade cut down from an old border spade. It is exactly the width of a Duffus trap but has a full sized handle. A bit heavy to carry a long way, but that's what the Chinese tractor is for.

i use exactly the same as you. great for the duffus trap!!! all my jobs are domestic, so i dont walk too far.

[Matt 160]

Any chance of a photo or two of your old mole spuds ? LOL

 

The best I can find at the moment: