The use of modern agricultural machinery makes it possible to significantly simplify many gardening works and reduce the time that must be spent on them. More recently, in the arsenal of Russian summer residents there were only ordinary garden shovels. Now this simplest tool of labor has become multifunctional. Such equipment can be purchased from leading domestic and foreign manufacturers of agricultural products.

Multifunctional shovel: description of the device and features

A multifunctional shovel is a thing that replaces several tools at the same time. With its help, you can optimize the performance of such gardening work as:

  • digging a vegetable garden and forming beds;
  • weeding;
  • loosening;
  • mulching;
  • harvesting potatoes and other root crops;
  • formation of a compost pit.

Multifunctional shovel

Most of the models are easily disassembled and packed in the included bag. When assembled, the device can be carried in a carrying case made of strong dark fabric. Many models are conveniently transported in the trunk of a car, since such equipment is small in size.

The handle is usually supplied with an extension. Additional features most often include options such as flint, whistle and bottle opener. The handle is usually made of strong but lightweight metal, such as aluminum used in aviation.

Functions performed

This type of agricultural machinery can simultaneously perform several tasks. In fact, it is a metal folding sapper shovel with a handle and a handle, equipped with additional parts and accessories. It can perform the functions:

  • hoes;
  • wire cutter;
  • saws;
  • ax;
  • knife.
Bayonet shovel

In models of some brands, for example, Brandcamp, an additional cullet is provided. However, in practice, this function is rarely used, so many summer residents do not see the point in paying extra money for it.

Note! Traditionally, it is believed that when performing gardening work, a very large load falls on the back. However, using a multifunctional device instead of a regular shovel helps to work in the garden without harm to health, without the risk of injury or spinal disease. Therefore, domestic gardeners often call this device "miracle shovel", regardless of the specific brand.

With the help of this "miracle technique" you can harrow the ground by pre-adjusting the depth of entry of the shovel into the soil. In this case, the handle can be at different angles to the ground, depending on the height of the person, the depth of the furrow, the area of ​​the treated area. This angle is easily adjustable.

If this technique is used to dig up a vegetable garden, the top layer of soil rises easily, but it does not turn over, but retains its position. Thus, loosening is carried out simultaneously with the digging.

The multifunctional shovel is easy to use in the garden

If you use a 4-in-1 shovel for weed control, it easily pulls the roots of the most dangerous weeds - wheatgrass and loach - from the depths to the surface of the earth, preventing them from reappearing. Also, the "miracle technique" easily extracts stones of different sizes from the ground and at the same time does not become dull, since the main part of the canvas is made of high-strength metal.

Application area

The tactical shovel is used not only for gardening work. It will also be an indispensable tool for:

  • motorists;
  • climbers;
  • tourists;
  • people who are engaged in repair work.
Shovel in the car

It is also worth taking with you to those who went to the forest for a few days. Such a shovel will make it easier to survive in the forest in the event that a person accidentally gets lost on the way, and his stay in the wilderness is delayed.

Important! This type of shovel will be most effective only if the soil is moist or at least slightly damp. Application on dry soil can damage the tool and make work much more difficult. It is best to use the multifunctional device in early spring and autumn, starting in October, when rainfall is common and there is not much heat. At this time, the ground is almost always wet.

Also, do not use such a shovel if there are a lot of stones and clay on the site. Some jobs that can be successfully performed with a conventional mine shovel cannot be performed using the multifunctional device. So, if the gardener decided to make holes for tomatoes or holes for planting seedlings of fruit trees, he will have to get an "good old shovel" out of the barn without additional functions.

Note!Most Russian summer residents successfully use the "miracle technique" for digging up potatoes and beets, as it allows you to quickly and easily turn deep layers of soil without damaging the roots themselves. Therefore, potatoes and beets dug with the multifunction shovel are stored longer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Soviet shovel

The four-in-one shovel has many undeniable advantages. However, it also has disadvantages, so many gardeners prefer to use an ordinary shovel “in the old fashioned way” or buy multifunctional models that are the easiest to use (for example, Palisad). Practice shows that it is best to purchase models of domestic manufacturers made of titanium or high-strength steel in accordance with GOST.

Among the advantages, the following should be noted:

  • Most universal shovels, unlike conventional ones, are foldable, so they are easy to transport.
  • One shovel replaces several types of agricultural implements at once, which significantly saves space in the tool storage room.
  • Thanks to the aluminum handle, most shovels are lightweight and comfortable to work with.
  • Multifunctional shovels allow you to work the ground without tilting too low. The load on the spine is significantly reduced.

The foldable shovel is easy to transport

Also among the advantages it should be noted that most of the models are useful not only in the country, but also on a hike, during construction and repair work.

Among the disadvantages, it should be noted the rather high cost compared to ordinary shovels. On average, the price of a multifunctional device in domestic stores ranges from 2 to 6 thousand rubles, it all depends on the weight, material, number of additional options. Also, if any of the parts breaks, it is quite difficult to find a new accessory to replace the broken one.

Review of the best manufacturers: Brandcamp, ACE and others

The most popular among domestic gardeners, judging by the supply and demand in stores, is the so-called Bandcamp shovel - a technique manufactured by Bandcamp. She also often appears in online stores as a "universal shovel". This brand has been a recognized leader in the global market for several years.

Brandcamp technology has the following features:

  • low cost;
  • a large number of options;
  • compactness.

On a note! The Brandcamp shovel has a number of additional options (for example, cullet), which are rarely used in practice, but due to their availability, the price of the shovel increases.

The following can be said about ACE multifunctional shovels:

  • a large number of models at different prices;
  • convenient and safe design of the device;
  • small size and compactness.

Among the shortcomings, one can note frequent breakdowns, especially in economy class models.

Also, domestic summer residents like to buy shovels from the Krot and Palisad companies. They do a great job with functions such as digging a garden and harvesting root crops, but most models have a small number of additional functions.

Before purchasing a shovel with a large number of functions, the summer resident must decide for what purpose he is buying it. Only after that it will be possible to make the right choice and buy exactly what you need. If used correctly, such a shovel will become an irreplaceable assistant at all stages of gardening work, from spring to late autumn.