Seymour S702 48-Inch Fiberglass Handle Trenching Shovel

Purchased this trenching tool to dig a propane and electric trench from the house to a permanent generator pad.The trench depth was 23 inches, then filled 4 inches of sand base, ready for the conduit pipes to be laid at 18 inch depth to code, with sand then laid on top to protect the conduit from cutting rocks over time.My first lesson learnt is to measure where the trench is going twice and dig once. The propane trench went off course so had to be corrected, causing a lot more work. The electrical trench was dug better, being just the 5 inch width of the blade, which the photos show.The soil was pure schist rock and clay so a very hard dig. Had to use a digging bar then shovel out, repeating all the way down. After about 12 inches down I discovered a hand held trenching tool was quicker and more effective than using a digging bar to break up the soil/rock.The trenching shovel blade's sharp point helped lever under the 2-6 inch schist rocks. The curve of the blade helped scoop the earth out of the trench while standing above. Due to the weight of the rocks having just a 5 inch wide blade, helped reduce the weight you had to lift out of the trench, so was very practical.Another tip is once down about 20 inches it is easier, less strain on the back to kneel and lift rather than stand and lift.Dug out a bush so it could be moved and the trenching tool worked great for this work as well, all round the tool is well made and works well in heavy rock & clay soil, though you do need a digging bar to make headway. The trenching tool in this type of soil cannot cut through on its own effectively, but this is no fault, just lots of rock.

I have used this type of "trenching" shovel for years. After 25 years of heavy use mine finally succumbed to too much prying of concrete pieces and stumps, and too much UV light exposure. I have looked for a replacement for some time and purchased another brand that was "cheap junk". This shovel is a worthy replacement for my old trenching shovel. I like a trenching shovel much better than a spade type shovel. The 5" blade will hold a lot of dirt for its size, and I can dig faster in heavy soil because of the narrower blade. As named, it is perfect for digging a trench or digging out a small root-ball or piece of concrete. The handle is sturdy enough to "put some weight on it" when used as a lever. (no, it is not a solid steel pry bar, but it stout enough for sensible prying and it digs holes way better than a pry bar- a nice combination).

I used a regular shovel to take out about a third of my back yard sod before this beauty arrived. Once I had this shovel it cut down the amount of time it took me to take sod off by 2/3 of the time. We have hard clay and rock under our sod from when they built the house and this worked like a charm. Highly recommend it!

This Seymour trenching shovel was just what I was looking for to clean out the bottom of a trench. The only problem is that Seymour must have made a design change to the back edge of the shovel. The Amazon description is confusing with the rear edge described as both:- Rear rolled steps can be used for light digging as well as clean-out- Front turn step head styleSo which is it? The trenching shovel I received was actually a Structron brand made by Seymour with a front turn step, when I was looking for the rear rolled step so it wouldn't get hung up. Excellent shovel but wish it had the rear rolled step as described.

I have only used this a few times, but I've dug 2 french drains for about 85ft total. I live in NC with heavy red clay, and this shovel made quick work of it. Also the 5 inch width made it very easy to drop a 4 inch drain pipe into the hole.I normally avoid fiberglass handles because I don't like how much the handles flex, however this handle worked very well. I'm 6'1", and the long handle worked very well for me. I had just normal soreness the next day. Unlike when I dug my first french drain with a spade and was sore for an entire weak.This shovel handled small rocks, large 50lb rocks, and I've even used it to break up tree roots when removing a dying tree.Its not cheap, but its a well made tool and I'm happy with it.

This is the second one I have purchased. The first one was in 1985 I still use it. Just figured I needed a back up as I habe worn the old one down to a square face. I felt fortunate I could rub the steel enough to find the manufactures name. The tool is still good quality steel. That also surprised me. I have dug some very hard clay to tearing up shrubs. Busting roots. It is probably the best balanced shovel I have ever used making digging fun actually.

I have ordered Seymour shovels previously and have been very satisfied with the product performance.....which is why I re-ordered. The current product is different from those ordered earlier......apparently the ones I had ordered before are no longer available. Anyway, the one I ended up ordering has a fiberglass, not wooden handle, which is probably better as it will not splinter and the overall structure of the shovel meets my needs. I will know better....after a year or so of use.....if the product measures up in every aspect.

This is great for planting and trenching. I bought it to replace one that "sprouted legs." Works very well.

A good little shovel. It was recommended to me for hard clay soil. The steel blade was not sharpened (in a shovel 'sharpened' just means thinner). I may grind it a bit. The amazon box it came in covered the handle but not the steel, but no damage to the steel, which is to be expected in a shovel that might hit rocks in the ground, but I fear for the other packages on the postal truck.

Excellent quality and well built. I have put it three hell so far. Tough