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attaching shovel? attaching shovel?
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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 8 Apr 2002
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attaching shovel?
I am hoping someone can point me to some URLs or books or??? that would show some of the ways people have mounted shovels on vehicles. I have been trying to avoid fitting a roofrack, and like photos I see of old WW2 jeeps with shovels mounted on the side, but don't know what sort of fittings would be needed.

Or are there better (but still strong enough not to fall off) options?

Thanks...
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  #2  
Old 9 Apr 2002
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For the past four years I have used a bungy (elastic strap with hooks at each end); wrapped a few times around shovel shaft and bull bar on front. Easy to attach/release and not worth enough to steal (yet!!) - it is debatable whether the bungy is worth more than the shovel!

Sam
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  #3  
Old 9 Apr 2002
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Hello,

Mantec in UK sell a shovel mount (and shovel to fit it !), as used by Land Rover 110 Camel Trophy vehicles which goes on the front wing.
Not cheap but good quality - no rattle, and easily modified to allow pad-lock to be used.

I modified one to fit on the side of a Brownchurch roofrack OK.

www.mantec.co.uk

Best regards,
James
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Best regards,
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  #4  
Old 9 Apr 2002
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Just a couple of notes of caution.

Padlocks can get gunged up by sand and dust. You might want to consider keeping your shovel inside the vehicle until you get on the piste.

Mounting things on the side could get you into trouble with the police in European countries. There are laws about pedestrian safety.
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  #5  
Old 9 Apr 2002
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Do you not have better things to spend your hard-earned cash on? It is, after all, only a spade!
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  #6  
Old 9 Apr 2002
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sam Rutherford:
Do you not have better things to spend your hard-earned cash on? It is, after all, only a spade!
The whole point of my question was to see the range of solutions people have found, so that I can copy one myself on the cheap.

Perhaps there are better things to waste my time on, but I'm certainly not planning to spend more than $10 or $15, spade included.
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  #7  
Old 9 Apr 2002
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Exactly!
I usually have a second one lurking somewhere (two people are twice as quick; and in case the thing breaks on you!)

Sam
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Old 10 Apr 2002
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I have a long-shafted shovel on the front wing of my 110 with standard Brit military mounts, a metal brace to hold the blade on and three canvas straps to hold the shaft on, with buckles. Its fine and Ive taken it through all sorts of bizarre places and it hasnt flown off yet! On the other wing is a pick head, with the pick shaift above the safari door at the back. The tools used to be mounted on the door itself but I had to move them to the wings when I added a pivoting spare wheel carrier. It means you have to be careful when you walk on the wings but its not really a problem. I rivetted strips of checker-plate onto the wings too as protection. When I need to lock them on I use padlocks or simply take them off and stow them in the vehicle. The Landy doesnt stay in civilisation long enough for them to be nicked when she has all her desert gear on.
They would be easy to make with some pop rivets and straps and buckles from old British '58 pattern webbing from a surplus shop, or, failing that, some nylon utility straps. Ill email pix if you want.
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  #9  
Old 10 Apr 2002
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Quote:
Originally posted by LandRoverNomad:
I have a long-shafted shovel on the front wing of my 110 with standard Brit military mounts, a metal brace to hold the blade on and three canvas straps to hold the shaft on, with buckles. Its fine and Ive taken it through all sorts of bizarre places and it hasnt flown off yet! On the other wing is a pick head, with the pick shaift above the safari door at the back. The tools used to be mounted on the door itself but I had to move them to the wings when I added a pivoting spare wheel carrier. It means you have to be careful when you walk on the wings but its not really a problem. I rivetted strips of checker-plate onto the wings too as protection. When I need to lock them on I use padlocks or simply take them off and stow them in the vehicle. The Landy doesnt stay in civilisation long enough for them to be nicked when she has all her desert gear on.
They would be easy to make with some pop rivets and straps and buckles from old British '58 pattern webbing from a surplus shop, or, failing that, some nylon utility straps. Ill email pix if you want.
Yes, pictures please!
Thanks a bunch,
J

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  #10  
Old 10 Apr 2002
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Hi

If using padlocksthen either fill the key hole with copious amounts of grease/vaseline or better still....cut a small strip from a cycle inner tube and wrap around the padlock thereby protecting the keyhole from dust!!!

cheers

Chris

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Old 10 Apr 2002
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You could use the system used by those who drive cars down to West Africa to sell. This involves throwing the shovel onto the back seat of the car when not in use, but this sounds a little bit too easy looking at the solutions mentioned above.
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Old 10 Apr 2002
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Quote:
Originally posted by Kevin:
You could use the system used by those who drive cars down to West Africa to sell. This involves throwing the shovel onto the back seat of the car when not in use, but this sounds a little bit too easy looking at the solutions mentioned above.
I think that really there are some serious safety concerns having a sharp and heavy object inside not strapped down--rolling over does happen from time to time, and is bad enough without the risk of decapitation-by-shovel.

But on the other hand doing it this way is probably safe 99% of the time...
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Old 11 Apr 2002
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In terms of having a place to store the shovel on the outside of the vehicle, when you have five weeks stores for three people in a car everything should have its place. When its desert recovery gear it needs to be easily accessed from outside the car.
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Old 12 Apr 2002
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I WANT TO HAVE MY SAY!!!!!!

(if you stop soon enough those things on the ends of your arms are usually good enough and don't chip the paintwork)
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Old 12 Apr 2002
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Rapaz....

Whats your email? ill send you .jpgs of how I attached my shovel etc.

If you are off to the Uk Billing show this year I can show you in person

LRN

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