After trying one ... i splurged...

[goldendreams]

After checking out pumptech's hurricane shovel from Predator tools. I was hooked!.. I used to swear by the Samson shovels from lesche but the shape of these hurricanes are just THAT GREAT! I was torn between this one and the ultra phantom, the ultra phantom has the same size spade as the Samson , but it has this spade shape to it.. but I went with this one cuz it has 9 inch depth over 7 ..
Predator hit a home run with this design!! The way those plugs come out is unbelievable compared to the "V" type spade like the original samson... alot to be said about reinventing the wheel
Love it

 

[stetam]

Thanks for the post. I could use a new shovel. Have the Lesche sampson now and like it but the blade is worn. I like the hurricane's 9" blade but not the 38" length.

Steve

 

[goldendreams]

Thanks for the post. I could use a new shovel. Have the Lesche sampson now and like it but the blade is worn. I like the hurricane's 9" blade but not the 38" length.

Steve

They make a shorter one like with a d handle ... Phoenix it's called

 

[EmuDetector]

Predators stuff is great. Been on them since I started, never needed to replace.

 

[hoser]

Nice! You will like that thing.

 

[Coin-Saver]

Thanks for the post. I could use a new shovel. Have the Lesche sampson now and like it but the blade is worn. I like the hurricane's 9" blade but not the 38" length.

Steve

I have the Phoenix. You'll love that thing. Also the handle on the Phoenix isn't a T. It's like a D so it's really easy to hang onto and not drop.

 

[Diga]

I have the Predator Raptor hand digging tool with the curved design. After my first plug, my thoughts were, "Why aren't all plug digging tools shaped like this" and "This is the only type of plug digging tool that I'll be using from now on".

 

[oldkoot]

They make a shorter one like with a d handle ... Phoenix it's called

yep I have the Model 24 Phoenix shovel by predator and I love the way they are made

the way they are made it is almost impossible to dig a bad plug, also have the Lady Bug which I use in manicured Lawns along with the model 85 hand digger and raptor hand digger I love everything about the predator tools, the hardest part is trying to figure out which one you want to purchase LOL

 

[Coin-Saver]

I forgot to mention....I have the Raptor also along with my Lesche. I'm set for diggers for awhile.

 

[cellrdwellr]

I own the barracuda, hands down my favorite shovel made. I've been through quite a few shovels, none come close to the strength of the Predator IMO. Congrats on your new digging tool!

 

[goldendreams]

I have the Phoenix. You'll love that thing. Also the handle on the Phoenix isn't a T. It's like a D so it's really easy to hang onto and not drop.

I never dropped my other T handle.. it feels natural to carry It with the shaft between my ring and middle finger

 

[Cupajo]

After checking out pumptech's hurricane shovel from Predator tools. I was hooked!.. I used to swear by the Samson shovels from lesche but the shape of these hurricanes are just THAT GREAT! I was torn between this one and the ultra phantom, the ultra phantom has the same size spade as the Samson , but it has this spade shape to it.. but I went with this one cuz it has 9 inch depth over 7 ..
Predator hit a home run with this design!! The way those plugs come out is unbelievable compared to the "V" type spade like the original samson... alot to be said about reinventing the wheel
Love it

Looks like a winner!!

GL&HH,

CJ

 

[IDXMonster]

I own the barracuda, hands down my favorite shovel made. I've been through quite a few shovels, none come close to the strength of the Predator IMO. Congrats on your new digging tool!

Totally, the barracuda has been great for me as well. Interesting to see that curved spade design! This shovel has taken a BEATING and is a real workhorse!
Sorry about your Celtics buddy, that was a historic implosion…

 

[relicmeister]

I have the Predator Raptor hand digging tool with the curved design. After my first plug, my thoughts were, "Why aren't all plug digging tools shaped like this" and "This is the only type of plug digging tool that I'll be using from now on".

I I love my raptor but I improved it by attaching a D-handle ( from a snow shovel) thereby making it ok in parks but also woods or fields, although I have to drop down to dig- but I do that anyway. I suppose you could extend the length with a long handle, but haven’t tried that .. I like my root slayer ( I have mini with round handle and long with knob handle) those cut good and are inexpensive.
Try the D-handle on the Raptor- I think you’ll like it. Had a second but lost it.

 

[Diga]

I I love my raptor but I improved it by attaching a D-handle ( from a snow shovel) thereby making it ok in parks but also woods or fields, although I have to drop down to dig- but I do that anyway. I suppose you could extend the length with a long handle, but haven’t tried that .. I like my root slayer ( I have mini with round handle and long with knob handle) those cut good and are inexpensive.
Try the D-handle on the Raptor- I think you’ll like it. Had a second but lost it.

I did put on a D handle for my DIY water scoops, and have been considering doing so for my Raptor. Although my scoops have an aluminum pipe shaft, and it was easy enough to drill through the aluminum to attach the handle. I imagine I would need some specialized drill bits to drill through the tough raptor handle. Or, perhaps I could epoxy a D handle on it. How did you adhere the D handle to your Raptor?

 

[davemill]

They make a shorter one like with a d handle ... Phoenix it's called

Hurricane’s long handle means I don’t gotta kneel down any more!

 

[Dejure]

For those who found their soul mate version in a shovel, a lesson could be taken from dirt workers and farmers. They, as a matter of routine, add welds to the teeth or edges of their heavy equipment, rather than just replace them. They save a fortune in maintenance costs that way.

If I found the edges and teeth of my expensive shovel getting badly worn, I'd run beads (okay, I'd have a friend, family member or pro do it, because grown men run screaming when they see me with a welder) over the worn area.

If I wanted to dress teeth, Harbor Freight has beveled diamond grinding wheels that would handle it on the cheap (use water to cool and clean, as it's being used).

Of course, there is that it wouldn't hurt to oil a cleaned and dried blade, to stop the erosion of metal caused by rusting, before storing.

 

[davemill]

For those who found their soul mate version in a shovel, a lesson could be taken from dirt workers and farmers. They, as a matter of routine, add welds to the teeth or edges of their heavy equipment, rather than just replace them. They save a fortune in maintenance costs that way.

Great idea, if and when the blades need repair. There was an aluminum beach scoop with a pretty horrible cavity at the business end on a recent thread:

Magnet in the scoop?

I see in some photos guys have magnets fixed to the inside of their scoops. What is this for and what are the benefits of doing this?

metaldetectingforum.com

Can aluminum be welded as you describe? I don't know that most of us can dig hard enough by hand to damage a quality steel digger blade.