I have thoroughly abused my Lamberton Rakes, building single track in DG and boulder riddled areas. They have held up very well over the past 7 years. The large Lamberton also is a better cutter / digger into steep slopes than my McLeod.
The McLeod heads are well made and sturdy with no nut on the bottom, which allows for wet dirt to cling to & hampers packing. The fiber glass handles are solid yet light weight. The little black cap on the open end of the handle always comes off and eventually was lost. Without that cap, I have noticed the fiber glass cracking a little. It's a minor concern at this point, and I wear gloves when I work, so i'm not experiencing shards or slivers.
I just bought six of these McLeods, three square point wooden handled shovels, and two wooden handle pulaskis and received them in about week. They even included a seventh McLeod as a promotional item!
I haven't unwrapped them yet, as I'm having a shed built and will just take them in there to be stored.
As far as other tools, I do like the Rogue hoes by Pro Hoe and the 7" or 8" folding razor saw by Corona. The saw blade is a bit flimsy but cuts very well with little effort.
These things have been invaluable for our latest project with 2 35' bridges. Sturdy, low center of gravity and narrow enough for most single track. Made moving 35' 6x18" glu-lams possible with relatively few people. Ours were provided by a volunteer who does HVAC work, if you ask around you might find one to borrow. Great for moving lumber and other heavy long things. We made a rack for it and put 25 or so wet roughcut 3x8 5' decking pieces on it.
This tool is talked about elsewhere in the forums, did not see it listed in this sticky...
Trail Boss packable trail tool
has several different heads. McLeod, Rogue hoe, saw, shovel, mattock
Expensive, but a great solution for more remote trails.
Solid rock? Or rock(s). For moving rocks, a pick-mattock is invaluable. I recently picked up something called an Dig EZ-Pick. I've been putting off getting one for years because they are quite heavy. I wish I'd got one sooner. It's a great tool for cutting roots, moving rocks and the scoop-like mattock will move an amazing amount of dirt. I go out with this and a tool I made out of a dandelion rake that works like a bulldozer. Most days that's all I need and I'm way more productive than I used to be.
Gotta love the Rogue Hoe 80RH if it's not too rocky, great weight and shape for moving a lot of dirt and sculpting a sweet backslope berm. A favorite combo with a small pick mattock or Pulaski depending on the ratio of trees and rocks.
I bought a similar tool to the RH from JR Firetools, the head unbolts and with a collapsible handle. Not as sexy as the Trail Boss, but bigger, stronger and way cheaper. I'll see how it holds up, but so far it's a great solution for a tool I can ride in with, yet still is substantial enough to do real work.
I got a Chingadera head with the fiberglass handle. About the same size as the 80RH but a little lighter head.
Gotta love the Rogue Hoe 80RH if it's not too rocky, great weight and shape for moving a lot of dirt and sculpting a sweet backslope berm. A favorite combo with a small pick mattock or Pulaski depending on the ratio of trees and rocks.
I bought a similar tool to the RH from JR Firetools, the head unbolts and with a collapsible handle. Not as sexy as the Trail Boss, but bigger, stronger and way cheaper. I'll see how it holds up, but so far it's a great solution for a tool I can ride in with, yet still is substantial enough to do real work.
I got a Chingadera head with the fiberglass handle. About the same size as the 80RH but a little lighter head.
Interesting. A little pricey at $90 for a head and handle but still cheaper than the Trail Boss if I only buy the heads I would want. Let us know how they hold up.
After looking around at some different tool sites - having broken a few mattock heads with "India" stamped on them - I found a company called Warwood Forged Tools. Adzes, Hoes, Mattocks & Picks | Forged Industrial Hand Tools | Warwood Tool I found a dealer for their products, Railroad Tools and Solutions ..... Forged Track Tools Index They don't sell Rogue tools or McLeods, but they do sell the picking type tools. I've picked up the 8lb railroad pick and the 6" blade Forestry Adze tool and the tools are awesome. These are American made tools with hickory handles (looks like you can purchase the tool only without handle as well). I just ordered a 4" mattock blade with pick. I think this store primarily deals with mining and railroad related industries - but picks and hoes aren't too concerned about the end use!!!!
I'm partial to the Rogue HRH & Rogue 60A, axe handled, for New England. Key is don't swing for the fences, let gravity do the work!
But a Pulaski might just be my total favorite, just it doesn't tamp that well but it benches, gets through about anything, can be used to pry, and clear. Winning tool.
I like my Zac 800N shovel, because I don't have to swing it, and can use my body's weight to power it. Much stronger than a conventional shovel for prying. I keep the cutting edge filed sharp.
I've got a classic Rogue Hoe 70h and Lamberton Rake The Lamberton Rake on wood handles and they have both developed a slight amount of play at the head attachments over the last couple years. It's not terrible but would like to fix before it gets worse.
I know NOT to soak them in water. Wondered about squeezing a strong foaming wood glue like Gorilla white or original in there?
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