Nothing fancy but I'm after a heavy-duty rake that doesn't cost the earth (!!!)...the last few I've used have snapped. Also really fancy a Macleod-thing but can't find any in UK.
I could try most day stores but the rakes there don't seem to look tough enough as it isn't just loose topsoil being moved around.
Any online places recommended please?
Answering your title, not your post...
I've got [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mattock-Grubbing-Biggest-Discount-Ltd/dp/B008C7HYNO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1444137600&sr=8-2&keywords=mattock ]this mattock[/url], which is great for breaking through the earth, roots, rocks etc.
The Mrs was impressed with me digging out the scabby rose garden in an hour or two and digging out an old pear tree stump too.
[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/trail-building-tool ]http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/trail-building-tool[/url]
I had a recent discussion with CTC about getting some Rogue-Hoes made Macleods shipped in from the States, we might consider getting heads only shipped to save on shipping costs - would that be of interest?
yes
I have a drawing for a macleod type tool, if you want I'll send it to you? My mate found a laser steel cutting company online that were going to rattle out a couple for not a lot of money, 50 quid IIRC.
Ordering more would work out much cheaper, and I reckon you wouldn't be stuck for folks wanting them.
email in profile Richard.
Edit - I'd certainly take a few!
A tarmac rake should be sturdy enough for the job. Something like this: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p53966
the only Mcleod tool in the UK I'm aware you can purchase is this @ £90 delivered: https://www.btr-fabrications.com/product/trail-tool/
Rogue Hoes do have a uk reseller but I don't think they sell the macleod thing. TBH I never use the rake side of a macleod anyway- I keep meaning to buy a rogue to replace my shonky chilingdon, before the end comes off and kills someone...
I think our macleods are just long handed shovels with the ends cut off and relocated then rewelded- MC made a bunch of em so he'd be able to tell you.
I've had the amazon mattock linked above, shite, it snapped. Don't get wooden handled mattocks if you plan to lever boulders with them (which is pretty crucial). Get a fibreglass handle.
Chillington trenching hoe £30 including a handle. Don't get the silverline one on amazon, shite, it snaps.
Tarmac rake from McNairs and the like. Or build rough man's trails that don't need raked! 😉
Fiskars spades at B&Q are light, long handles and comfy to use. I've not snapped one yet.
All depends on your ground conditions and if your scraping off a top layer. Rakes are a PITA on rooty bits.
The Trailhead in Shrewsbury make their own trail tool [url= http://www.thetrailhead.co.uk/trailhead-tt-mk1-5134-p.asp ]Here[/url]
I know the guy who makes them and they're top quality.
glasgowdan - MemberChillington trenching hoe £30 including a handle. Don't get the silverline one on amazon, shite, it snaps.
The fit of the handle on my chillingdtododn is like throwing a sausage up a close, was yours OK? I wedged it but the gap was so much, it split before it found a good fit, so it still comes loose constantly.
Still better than the silverline though, I threw mine up a tree
Here are 2 digging hoes for £36 with postage. I find them much more efficient than mattocks.
What soil type do you have? this makes a big different.
Soft soil types Digging hoes are king, good for raking soil around too.
Hard or super rooty mattocks are better, but not good for raking.
Edit: I have tried a Macleods style tool to and wouldn't buy one, based on price, weight and performance.
Edged Arts in Warwickshire sell a good range of Rogue tools
http://www.edged-arts.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Rogue
We've had some Pro Hoes and so far they seem very good.
McLeods have always been a tricky one to source in the UK. Our group had some made years ago and most are going strong. Best bet at the moment is to find a local metalworker who can work in tool steel. Happy to supply details of ours to anyone who wants to email me direct. It does need to be tool steel as mild steel or stainless will either be too flimsy in a sensible thickness steel or too heavy in a strong enough thickness.
They aren't my favourite tool and are very much a compromise but they were designed as a multi tool type but if kit, certainly a useful part of a full selection of trail building tools though.
Edged Arts in Warwickshire sell a good range of Rogue tools
http://www.edged-arts.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=Rogue
We've had some Pro Hoes and so far they seem very good.
McLeods have always been a tricky one to source in the UK. Our group had some made years ago and most are going strong. Best bet at the moment is to find a local metalworker who can work in tool steel. Happy to supply details of ours to anyone who wants to email me direct. It does need to be tool steel as mild steel or stainless will either be too flimsy in a sensible thickness steel or too heavy in a strong enough thickness.
They aren't my favourite tool and are very much a compromise but they were designed as a multi tool type but if kit, certainly a useful part of a full selection of trail building tools though.
Lol. Go niche or go home 🙂
I've no issues with the last chillington, but no experience of slinging my sausage up a close so can't say for sure sorry! 😉 I fit them when the handle is cold and dry, then sit the head in a bucket of water.
The BTR one is a lovely looking tool. We were given one to try but it didn't suit our guys who are used to using the type we already have. Back to the point I made earlier the steel is quite thick which makes it too heavy. Mcleods are heavy tools to swing around for long and this one seems too much (all feedback that we passed back when returning the sample)
If you can try one before committing to buying then do it.
We use contractor rakes at work, often with a couple of tines cut off each end so that you can be a bit more forceful with them.
I can't believe people are on about importing a ****ing rake from the US! What a ****athon!
There is nothing specific about trial building. Just good quality hand tools. Pick axes, mattocks, spades, shovels, a proper rake, a tamper, drag hoe. Use as appropriate. Go to a proper builders merchant or even better for this type of stuff a proper agricultural merchant (not just a horsey one).
I'm not looking for anything fancy, just something that will last...I've been using tar rakes but they snap, so needing something a bit more substantial. I've got mattocks and those are very effective, so I'm not needing a lot of tools, mainly just a more robust rake.
Saying that, the links provided on here are impressive so I'll be keeping them for reference.
Cheers.
http://trailfund.org.nz/store/#!/Weapon-of-Mass-Creation-WCM/p/24364888
Good friend of mine in NZ designed and makes these. Performs a lot of the functions of the list of tools in thebricks post. And he's a great guy too.
saved 🙂
TheBrick - MemberPick axes, mattocks, spades, shovels, a proper rake, a tamper, drag hoe. Use as appropriate.
Going to take them all up the hill? The point of a really good macleod/digging hoe is that you can do most jobs with one. And that's one thing that really is often different for trailbuilding over agriculture- bloody awful access.
Got a trailhead mcleod from a friend. Nice bit of kit but I would of made it physically smaller and thicker steel. Prongs seem to bend to easy if you hit rock.
Can't beat a Chillington hoe for most value for money though. For me it works as a hoe, obviously, a shovel and mattock if you keep the edge sharp.
I suppose your local ground conditions will ultimately dictate what works fit you though.
My favorite trail digging tool is the Prohoe Rogue 55H; it works the best for the soil conditions in my area. But I don't see it on the Edge Arts site. IMO, the hickory handle is the key for trail work; they're indestructible. I've never seen one break or even start to loosen. The ash and fiberglass handles aren't sturdy enough for a good swing, they're more for hoeing a garden where the soil is already loosened.
[url= http://www.prohoe.com/hickory_handles.html ]http://www.prohoe.com/hickory_handles.html[/url]
I've never seen their Pulaski, but I don't think that it would be heavy enough. I have a Pulaski which has a 3.75 lb head IIRC. That weight is needed when chopping roots or logs; lighter tools don't bite into the wood well even when sharp.
McLeouds don't work well for me. They get hung up easily on even small roots which are everywhere here...