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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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  #16  
Old 12 Apr 2002
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Quote:
Originally posted by LandRoverNomad:
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

I'll send you an email (using address found under the little mail logo above the messages) but in case that does not work, I can be reached via
vidp@yahoo.com
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  #17  
Old 12 Apr 2002
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The landrover system works Ok. And with a vise and some bar stock is pretty easy to copy. Look at the general design then use your shovel for dimensions. It sound's like you are in the usa- take a trip to home depot and look through the boxes of hardware for conduit, water pipes, and chain link fencing. You'll find a bunch of brackets already formed to the diameter of your shovel. Most under $1.Then you just need some good bolts, and a wing nut. When you won't be using it throw another nut on top of wing nut- If a theif has a wrench set he won't start by stealing your shovel.
Also you can try maglight flash light brackets. I wouldn't trust them alone, but with a bungy or strap they'll hold it pretty well. BTW- if you have the spae a long handle shovel is much more usefull in the desert than a D handle.
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  #18  
Old 13 Apr 2002
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Chris writes if you stop soon enough those things on the ends of your arms are usually good enough and don't chip the paintwork)
Chris Scott is right:
A shovel in sand (the most common desert use)is LESS effective than two bare hands and a litle enthusiasm.
On my last big hand-dig in N.Mauritania my guide told me to "feel for mines...". I found none, moved nearly a cubic yard of soft sand by the armful, dropped in the sand channels under the SIII Land Rover, and drove clear in around 4 minutes.
A shovel in rock won't be helpful.
A shovel in mud - well, perhaps, but this is a desert forum.
I have carried a shovel for 25 years of desert travel but have never used it once!
But I will continue to carry one...
Good luck


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  #19  
Old 13 Apr 2002
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I've given up on shovels in favour of a short handled mattock, as used by Syrian/Jordanian farmers. Great for shifting sand from under the vehicle, and can easily be wedged into the back of a 110.
Alex
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  #20  
Old 13 Apr 2002
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I can see what you mean about not carrying a spade etc in terms of bulk... but all I can say is the sand in the Moroccan desert is too hot to touch in August.... especially when the car travelling with you (Nissan crewcab) bogs every hundred yards. I found spades very useful for moving large volumes of sand (eg to clear away the tails of windblown fechefeche) very fast. I agree, though, when youve just bogged a little and the wheels have just broken the crust, its far quicker to clear it by scrabbling by hand.

Its all personal preference though... sauce for the goose and gander etc (echoes of the Rover vs Cruiser debate!)
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  #21  
Old 14 Apr 2002
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Quote:
Originally posted by Chris Scott:
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)

Tried that and it was great untill I got an Acacia thorn stuck in my bulging veins! ill probably take a small lightweight shovel next time.

Sean

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  #22  
Old 14 Apr 2002
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Alex is right. It is much easier to drag sand out of the way than shovel it. The Spanish mattock is probably the best tool for the job.

If you have a folding shovel, then lock the blade at right angles to the handle - you'll shift much more sand that way.

Since we are now on the subject of garden implements. If you use a ground tent, then take a rake with you. It is the perfect tool to get a reasonably flat patch on rocky ground.
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  #23  
Old 15 Apr 2002
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I take a mattock too, mainly for shifting big rocks!
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  #24  
Old 15 Apr 2002
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I lived in Africa for years and always drove 4x4's. We used to strap the shovel to the chasis inside one of the back wheel arches with binding wire or cable ties. This works pretty well as it is easily accessable, people will not even realise it is there unless they know where to look and it is completely out of the way. Oh! It also costs nothing!
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