Tool to shred roots

[Breaktheory]

Hello

I have a 12” auger attachment for a hand drill that I use to dig in really root entangled areas of soil…is there a better possibly sharper alternative I can use? This is for an area on an incline so I can’t get up there with any heavy duty machinery - I’ve gone as far as the hand drill auger will take me.

thanks!

jon

[aztropic]

Yikes... Sawzall type tool might be the best tool available to move this job along...

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[Breaktheory]

I’ll bet that works I have a reciprocating saw I just need a longer blade

[aztropic]

An 8" long, 5 TPI, blade works wonders!!!

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona

[D Palm]

Stump Grinder if its big tree hurts.  HD has them for rent.

If its weeds, plants, etc...roto tiller. 

[Fishinsteeg234]

Blue big box store sells a “Root Slayer” serrated edge shovel with a sharp cutting tip. This has worked great for me, on roots less than 1-2” diameter. Beware, it will also cut right through buried cables if you’re not careful. 
 

Edited April 7, 2022 by Fishinsteeg234

[Johnny Palmseed]

  On 4/7/2022 at 9:09 AM, Fishinsteeg234 said:

Blue big box store sells a “Root Slayer” serrated edge shovel with a sharp cutting tip. This has worked great for me, on roots less than 1-2” diameter. Beware, it will also cut right through buried cables if you’re not careful. 
 

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That thing looks awesome for roots. The round handle is odd though. Do you find it to be helpful or awkward?

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 4/7/2022 at 11:01 AM, Johnny Palmseed said:

That thing looks awesome for roots. The round handle is odd though. Do you find it to be helpful or awkward?

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I have one ..though more of a Cap Rock shovel - style ( Flat, " D " - shaped Blade )  Worked ok when cutting out grass,  but the shovel below worked better.. " Serrated " edge on the Razorback really didn't impress me.   Shovel below cut through roots up to 3" in dia., and made quick work of digging a large / deep hole for a 15Gal too.



Only thing i'd change is having the handle made of solid steel..  Wood and Fiberglass don't last..

[Darold Petty]

This is my favorite source for specialty tools,  it must have 50 models of shovels and spades.      https://www.amleo.com/ 

[Fishinsteeg234]

  On 4/7/2022 at 11:01 AM, Johnny Palmseed said:

That thing looks awesome for roots. The round handle is odd though. Do you find it to be helpful or awkward?

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The round handle is needed because the sharp tip edge sometimes gets stuck in a big root, kind of like an axe in a log would, and the round handle allows to pull up and out. 

[Looking Glass]

My two favorite root shredders and diggers are the Hart mini-mattock, and the drain spade.  
The mattock is basically part of my arm at this point.   I use it for everything.  It makes short work of roots, rocks, concrete, your irrigation pipes, etc…. A full size one can do some serious damage to anything that gets in its way too.    

For me, the soil here is sandy, so once you chop through obstructions, it digs and moves easily after that.    

[Reeverse]

Am Leonard all steel Nursery spade with diamond tip blade is the best shovel I’ve used. Paired with a Sawzall with some 12” Diablo blades you can tackle anything 

[Breaktheory]

I can report back now that the sawzall blade did the trick but in small chunks at a time - shovel would be great but it’s too awkward of an angle to use one