Backsaver Autospade

A quality tool to remove back strain when digging in cultivated ground

The Autospade is based on the old Wolf Terrex spade and can be ordered with either stainless or carbon steel spade blades. The stainless steel blade has the benefit of not clogging in wet or heavy conditions. The carbon steel blade will hold a sharper edge.

Specifications

Blades
Stainless steel blades manufactured from AISI 410/420 magnetic nickel Chromium steel. Hardened and tempered to 40-50 HRC.
Carbon steel blades manufactured, hardened and tempered to 40-50 HRC.

Finish
Green gloss finish. Fixings are electro-plate galvanized.
The handle is fitted with PVC 'Comfy Grips'.

Maintenance

All garden tools suffer a hard life, being used in the wet and constantly abraded by the soil. The stainless blade is designed to withstand these conditions. The shaft and mechanism of the spade will suffer knocks and abrasions and in these places take on surface rust. We would encourage you, after use, to remove caked on earth and give the spade a squirt with WD40, or a wipe with an oily rag. With the care of a good worker, it may last you a lifetime!

How to use the Autospade

Create a trench
It's essential to create a digging trench, which allows the Auto-spade to throw the soil forward. The trench also allows the opportunity to dig in some muck.

Angle the blade
Take a spit as you would with a normal spade. Enter the blade at a backward angle. As a guide, the footplate should end parallel to the ground.

 

 

 

Push the footplate fully to the ground
Use the footplate to press home the blade until it's full-depth and the anchor plate is grounded.

This allows the spade to pivot.

 

 

Ease forward to loosen the spit
Ease the handle forward to loosen the spit and engage the anchor plate. This is vital on heavy or hard ground, but won't be necessary on well dug ground.

 

 

Pull back to toss the soil
Pull firmly back on the handle and the main spring will release, tossing the soil forward. The soil will invert onto the wall of the trench and with practice, you will become accomplished at tossing the soil to a distance and position that develops an even row of digging.

 

 

Swing to the next spit
Don't spear the Auto-spade into the ground, just swing the spade from one spit to the next.

 

Dig only in cultivated ground
The shaft and spring mechanism are not appropriate for tackling large stones, tree roots or uncultivated earth. If you encounter these then tackle the job with the correct tool; a heavy-duty spade, pick or adze.

Back strain

Warm up
Gardening is a great outdoor exercise, with digging perhaps the most energetic activity. If you suffer with your back, it's a good idea to spend a couple of minutes warming up with some stretching exercises.

If you're unsure what to do then see your local physiotherapist who will tailor exercises appropriate for your problem.

Backsaver Garden Tools Ltd are committed to offering a range of tools that help to reduce back strain when gardening. If you suffer with your back, then we hope our excellent tools will help in allowing you to continue to enjoy the wonderful pleasures of gardening.