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Like a Macleod type tool, where are folks buying these from online?. I reckon I could source some 1/4" plate and make one, but if there is anything else reasonably priced around, I'd rather do that, and keep my time for trail maintenance.
to be honest you're better off with a decent axe or pick headed mattock (depending on how hard/tree rooty your area is) and a good nail-tooth rake.
I never use my Mcleod as it's not as good as the above...
There can only be one!
The Chinese Entrenching Tool, comes with an orchestra to play dramatic music at opportune moments.
(Actually, no orchestra is included, I fibbed about that bit).
those things always look heavy to me. a rake and a 5lb half-mattock do me well for most stuff. wheelbarrow and shovel thrown in as well for the rest. I can see the appeal of an all-in-one, but i think the convenience of that would pale after a while of swinging the ****er about. you can do a lot with a decent, light, rake.
Mattock/Pick for loosening/digging, followed by a Macleod for shaping/fettling is the best option.
A rake is only any good for fine tuning, whereas a Macleod gives you the ability to move reasonable amounts of dirt while still being able to fine tune and do some ligth digging.
As for where to get them, I've made them in the past, along with repaired quite a few, and the key ingredients are a suitable shovel and a nice long thick handle. The handles are the hardest part, as they're not that common an item, but a decent hardware store or horticultural store should be able to get them (I actually ask my Dad for handles as he knows all the places that stock this more oddball stuff, but I can't remember where he got the last ones!)
Just remembered I took some photos for somebody a while back. This link should show you all of them -
https://www.flickr.com/search/?w=73644405@N00&q=macleod
But here's the key photo-
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8111/8598724596_a7893d0292_z.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/mc_mtb/8598724596/ ]Macleod[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people/mc_mtb/ ]mc_mtb[/url], on Flickr
Some of the rogue hoes ones look like they'll do the job- the handle's right on the side so not ideal for pounding, but on the other hand you should be able to use them like a azada for digging, or get a straight edged one for mattocky scraping.
Never thought of producing a mowicu macleod?
What's one of those northy?
mc, that's a great idea, I'll get to that, cheers!.
@nobeer, depends which bit. The mowicu comment was for MC and probably won't make a lot of sense to anyone else 😉
If it was the azada comment, they're awesome- not as good as a mattock for breaking hard ground or old trail surfaces but miles better for less stony dirt. I think this is the one I have:
I'm not a big guy so I burn out quite fast digging with a mattock, these are I suppose less universally useful, but in the right ground I can get far more done- basically cuts twice as much ground, with far less effort, cuts roots better and also can fling dirt out which saves shovelling.
That looks excellent NW, that and mc's home made number will be a good start I reckon.
http://www.chillingtontoolsonline.co.uk/trenching-hoe-head-only-p2
This with the long long handle is my trail tool of choice. Keep a good edge on it and it'll blast through roots aswell. Rarely use anything else.
edit: didnt read the link above but obviously plus one for the chillington hoe...
round here, the tools aren't the problem, its finding helpers to use them 🙄
NW, plenty ideas, not enough time for me!
Still got your mech hanger to do, which I'll get donen shortly now that I finally have a fresh supply of metal. I think I know what threw out my original drawing, so it just needs a little bit of CAD tweakage to fix, then get it machined.
The trenching hoes are pretty good, provided the soil isn't too stoney.
The ideal tools do vary depending on the ground, but what I said above will work in pretty much all conditions short of solid rock.
Some people do prefer a heavier plate Macleod, but I just find them hardwork, and they're still pretty rubbish for any kind of real digging, so you'll still need something to break up the ground.
Lawman, that applies most places. Plenty of people who'll complain about trails, but will never actually do anything to help maintain/build them.
No worries- I broke the original one funnily enough but it took a lot of trying so definite QC pass. Still got a bunch of oe ones to get through
😀
Have you ever thought about trying to remain on your bike, and not bounce the rear mech of immovable objects?
Why has no one done this yet 😥
[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/RickDraper/10425007_10152936899998653_141727537124184542_n.jp g" target="_blank">
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/RickDraper/10425007_10152936899998653_141727537124184542_n.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
We've got lots of folks say they're gonna help out with the local trails, we'll see how many come through. Plan is to get more involved with the trails being devised for the Scottish enduro series at Largs, so I'll be need some decent tools, and not the usual rabble of cheap stuff I haul about!. I see you have your name down for that NW, I'll see ye then, or if you fancy a spin beforehand, gimme a shout.
Our soil doesn't have much in the way of rocks, so the chillington hoe will be spot on.
Thanks gents.
Rogue hoes make what seems to be a lovely Macleod
Edged arts, the UK rogue hoes importer, have brought in a load of stuff but haven't brought any macleods in...
I've asked them, but hopefully if more people ask for them he will get some
http://edgedarts.com/field-hoe-rh70f-rogue-hoes-usa-professional-smallholding-allotment
I don't even know where Largs is tbh
Grieg.. The photos of mcs McLeod is what the old D&G Stanes crew used, made by one of the guys(Wizzy) The only advice I would give as an "upgrade" is to put a web/gusset top & bottom to strengthen the welds, they had to do this to prolong the life. Also needs a wee bend inwards at either edge if spade used is flat. Got mine made out of industrial boiler steel!!....
To do the job properly you will need to get a whackered plate, McCleod or other "tampers" don't do a proper job 💡
Think that rogue hoe isn't flat enough to do what a McCleod is intended to do?
Trekster, it's more than just the D&G area that use them.
If you're letting volunteers loose with something, I wouldn't recommend anything with a quality sharp edge!
I'd have a trenching hoe for myself to use when I knew it was suitable for the job, but there's no way I'd let anybody else near it.
NW, Largs is on the Ayrshire coast. Think they picked the windiest point on the coast to build it though!
I have just acquired this for trail clearing/opening duties...its friggin awesome..
[img] 
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and with this attachment... rips through everything..
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but for general trail clearing, a mattock, rake and flat shovel for bench cutting is all you need for any type of terrain..
If your buying a rake..... Get a tarmac rake.. They last significantly longer than the standard garden type.
tarmac (macadam) rakes are awesome kit, but you need to be built to use one properly for trail work
I've had a couple and was not "light" at the time (I am on the left of the image), but still found them hard work whenever snagging roots as the pegs would grip the root and cause a sudden jam which was uncomfortable to the shoulders
[img] 
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We tended to use regular hand tools as seen below, the best tool I've owned is seen fourth from left, the "grave digger" imported from a supplier with US connections:
[img] 
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Google Get Digging, sells Belotta azadas. Imo very good quality tools available in a range of weights, sizes and some useful variations (the pick azada has been really handy).
Have found Wolfgarten soil rakes to be good. Their click system also means you can use various heads and can make lugging stuff easier.
Silky fox for saws, particularly their root saw.
Long handled,round point shovels 🙂
As others have said, the "right" tool depends on what you're digging and where.
Have used IMBA supplied McLeods and home made UK ones. If they work for you then great but there's better alternatives / combinations.
Quality tools are almost always worth the money.
Nobeer, are you building at Largs? Got time/inclination to do other areas? I've a few ideas.
12 quid Silverline digging hoe has been awesome for me. Can get them on eBay and Amazon.
Dan, we were building up Fairlie moor, where are you thinking?. Tbh, I've so much to do up there that I'd struggle to focus elsewhere, but we could do some sharing of work?.
philwarren11 - Member12 quid Silverline digging hoe has been awesome for me. Can get them on eBay and Amazon.
Not bad at all these- I broke the handle on mine, could have put a new handle on it obviously but instead I flipped out and threw it up a tree
Ninfan, thanks for the link to Edged Arts. I've been in co tact on and off with Rogue direct in the US with the intention of bringing some of their Hoes in and Edged Arts didn't respond to my enquiries when they were in the process of receiving samples.
Now they're listing them I've just ordered a few for our group to trial.
Has anyone got a good suggestion for carrying a bunch of tools on the bike? I'm thinking of some sort of strapping or bag and just wondered if anyone has already got a good system.
No problems ST
Rogue definitley do the Macleod
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We just need to persuade him to bring some in
I was just looking at those and whilst they look good the one thing they lack is the flat bottom. One of the big plus points for a proper McLeod is the ability to tamp a fresh trail surface flat (or to you chosen fall).
Our McLeods were made when our group first started 13 years ago and of the original 20 the only losses have been tools which disappeared. We've broken one or two teeth but other than replacement handles hey are still going strong.
They were made by a metalworking company who we no longer have the details for. I did try a while ago to get some more made elsewhere but was let down.
I may still look at getting some done and will take a pick and post here later today.
A mate of mine in New Zealand designed and now sells these, just a pit the shipping rates are rather prohibitive, as they look really good.
[url= http://trailfund.org.nz/store/#!/~/product/category=5742081&id=24364888 ]weapon of mass creation[/url]
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WANT!!! actually, want TWO, one for each hand 😆
I may have a go at building something similar.
Bookmarked that Chillington website. Some great tools 🙂
I've usually found Silverline stuff to be lesser quality and so liable to break. This is as pool tools for a volunteer group though.
This months MBR mentioned BTR in UK were doing a limited run of McLeods. Think they were about £70.
Actually £75 plus £15 delivery. Ouch!
IMO plenty of quality tool combos I'd rather have for that sort of money. Each to their own 😎
But it has an integrated
. How is that not worth the extreme premium?BTR stencil for trailside tagging
Mattock & rake.
To replace all the functions of a McLeod you;d also need a tamper http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p77668?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&mkwid=cxP1lrFd&pcrid=46297888583&gclid=CMHV6aqL9cICFQMYwwod9mwARw
I prefer using other tools but then that's given the choice of a full range of tools which out group have available.
I find a mattock better for cutting and a garden rake better for shaping and grading a trail tread. The McLeod however is versatile and if you only have one tool to take out then it's a good option. It is after all a take on a fairly old fire fighting tool and in that context it works well.
Our McLeods cost us 20 quid each for the head and we supplied our own timber handles. This was a subsidised price as a favour to our then fledgling group.
The BTR ones look good and in fairness if they are hand made and take more than 2 hours each then whilst the price seems high the cost is understandable.
On the subject of Chillington we have a lot of the digging hoes> http://www.chillingtontoolsonline.co.uk/trenching-hoe-head-only-p2
Just broke my silverline after 2 1/2 months without seemingly putting it under much strain. Amazon are refunding me though so I'll be putting that towards a better one.
Dan, I'm waiting on a quote from a local fabrication shop who have laser cutting equipment for them to price me up a couple of the one I posted up there ^
I'll give you a shout if it's a goer price wise.
Interested, how much are we looking at NBF? email in profile 🙂
I dunno yet, I'll let you know when they get back to me, hopefully tomorrow.
nice one, will they be proper toughened steel like the original ones?
First ones will be prototyoes, to see what they're like, then we're how we go.
USA based, here. Rogue Hoe 55H (hickory handle) is the best digging tool that I have come cross, by far! So I'd say that chillington hoe would probably be similar. I usually break up the dirt with the 55H then use a long handled round point shovel to scoop up the loose dirt and throw it distance away.
I have a pulaski that I keep sharp and use only for cutting roots (not digging). I've never tried the Rogue Pulaski and I'm not sure that it would be heavy enough to cut roots.
Rogue 55H way outdigs a mattock, either the 5lb version or the 3.5 lb garden mattock IME.
Mcleouds don't dig well at all in my area; there are too many roots. Even small roots stop them cold. They are good for final grading, scraping the flat edge along in a pulling motion. They can also be used for deberming the same way.
YMMV depending on the what the soil is like in your area.
I do like the holes in the BTR mcleoud for locking the tools up. I think that the cut logo might just make it easier for dirt to clump on when tamping, though.
I've had some of the Rogue 55s delivered this week and they look good, I'll hopefully be able to give one a quick test tomorrow.
The rogues keep an edge better than any other digging to that I've ever used. They're very sharp when new and they cut through small roots quite easily. Of course, if you use them to try to cut rocks...
Once dull, impossible to sharpen by hand, though. Use a mini angle grinder and sanding (not grinding) disc, 80 grit IIRC.
I've never seen a broken hickory handle, either. They're trail monkey proof, apparently.
Mcleouds don't dig well at all in my area; there are too many roots. Even small roots stop them cold. They are good for final grading, scraping the flat edge along in a pulling motion. They can also be used for deberming the same way.
Agree with that.
If replacing Chillingtons / Silverline versions this site does a wide variety of azadas:
[url= http://www.get-digging.co.uk/tools.htm ]Get Digging[/url]
Also does some other tools. Has been know to offer a discount to trailbuilders if buying in larger numbers. You could try mentioning SingletrAction but I make no guarantees 😉
A friend of a friend up in Dalby has made some heads recently along the lines of the Rogue hoes. Will see how they turn out when they land.
Had a go with the Rougue 55 yesterday that ST ordered, it wont dig into a hard pebbly surface like a mattock or corner of a spade but ST made a nice berm out of an existing rutted corner.