How to Shovel Gravel Without Breaking Your Back! Quick and Easy, Efficient Shovel Work

[@storeman08033]

Thanks man I'm about to help my much younger brothers in law I'd like to be able to walk tomorrow This helps me. Appreciate you

[@EasyGardenHacks]

No problem, hope things went well with the brother in law and you were walking the next day! Thanks for watching the video and commenting

[@kimptowncadillac5323]

Great tips! I look forward to not breaking my back

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Love your humor! yes dont break your back not worth it.

[@ChitrakChattopadhyay]

I'll add 2 things that I've learnt, Always be behind the shovel, not over it. You can use your legs only when your pushing forwards. Don't swing hard, momentum does nothing. And last but not least try to lift forward and up, not down, into and up. Forward and up remember. Control your breath and don't exhaust yourself. Happy shoveling 😅 Also if you have a square shovel try to use the edges too loosen up dirt if working on gravel do 5 smaller scoops than one giant scoop, penetrating gravel is hard with a square shovel so take your time.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Chitrak, those are great tips! I can tell you have done your fair share of shovelling. Thanks for adding to the video. Happy shovelling!

[@truthteller4731]

i make a slope then just push it downhill into a bucket to fill the bucket then i fill a wheel barrow with the buckets and eventually turn the wheelbarrow over and spread with a rake.. super easy and only lifting the bucket requires a bit of back use

[@EasyGardenHacks]

I like, great thinking. Thanks for watching the video and your tips.

[@deed7313]

Great. As long as I shovel only the gravel that is knee high, and I can step uphill of my shovel for leverage... What do you do with the other 80% of the pile?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Dee, good question, I bend my knees more and use the length of the shovel to do the reaching

[@FixItWithMe]

A round shovel or a transfer shovel for gravel? A long handle or a short d handle? And a curved shovel, not a straight handle shovel?

[@lookatmeimcraigoryd]

Thanks man. I have 16 tons of 1 1/2 crushed gravel coming in tomorrow and was wondering if I would be able to actually showel it and wheel it to place. I feel less anxious now. Would there be any benefit to using a square shovel, or would that actually make the job more difficult?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hey Craigory, thats a lot of gravel. Pace yourself. Dont run it like a sprint, take breaks a bit more often that you might on a smaller job. I have been using a square shovel for my finished compost it works great. I dont think square will penetrate the gravel as well as the pointed shovel though. Would be good for last bit of gravel if you have a solid flat layer underneath. Square shovel might get you more gravel per scoop. Could be good or bad. Good because less overall scoops needed. Bad more weight each scoop. I would try both shovels right away if you can and you will know for yourself which is best. Good luck drink lots of water. Thanks for the comment and question.

[@josephatnip2398]

I've used both and both work the point is a little easier if you have a choice take your time and take brakes don't go crazy and think you will do it all in one day you'll burn out and not be done two guy working slow and easy should have it done in 3-4 days

[@vasarian]

Here's my tip - hire someone young to do that part!

[@eschrader]

How did it go?!

[@vnrkain1169]

Thank you. Excellent information.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Thanks for watching and commenting, best of luck

[@Tonybx4dd]

You're a champ.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Haha not really but thanks appreciate your comment and watching the video!

[@dunedainmom]

Thankyou!! Helping out an out of shape mommy here!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Your welcome, best advice is to take your time, the shovelling will likely get you back into shape, thanks for watching

[@gil658]

Always helpful canadians

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi gil lots of us canadians sure try to be helpful...and polite, lol, thanks for watching

[@blubiccapoff8138]

Its always good to make sure that when your not using your shovel to put it back on the charger to keep it juiced up. 😂 Great advice and tips and explanation to why doing it that way.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Very true, wish I had a charger for me...thanks for watching and the comments

[@ironray123]

How long would it take to spread 3 cubic yards of gravel over a 15'x20' area?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi ironray, the time it would take would depend on several factors such as your level of experience, your physical fitness, and the type of shovel used. I would estimate 6 to 8 hours to complete the task. This estimate is based on the assumption that the person can move and spread approximately 1 cubic yard of gravel per hour. Additionally, factors such as the moisture content and size of the gravel can also affect the time it takes to spread the material. Gravel that is wet and heavy will be more difficult to move and will require more effort and time to spread. Similarly, larger gravel will require more effort and time to spread than smaller gravel. Thanks for watching and the great question. If you dont shovel regularily take your time and break it up over several days if you can.

[@zen4men]

OK when pile is close to where needed. Any other time, you cannot beat a collection of buckets, which make movement really easy. If you drill holes in the bottom, you can fill buckets whenever you have a few minutes to spare, instead of working hard when the gravel from a pile is urgently needed.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Great tips, totally agree with you on the buckets. I finished off the project I was filming with buckets. I like the drilling of holes in the bottom. Thanks for the tips and watching my video.

[@zen4men]

​ @Easy Garden Hacks I once owned 2 shops in England, with a disused lane beside them, with a steep slope, leading to a very large garden behind. ...... I bought 25 of 18 x 12 x 3 inch stainless steel woven baskets in a scrapyard. ...... They were from a commercial catering steamer, had swinging handles each end, and the apertures were perfect for removing stone and gravel from soil. I also found a much larger grid that slotted perfectly on top of a wheelbarrow, and with a shovel and a mattock, I dug up the old lane, removed the excess earth, and packed the gravel / small quantity of earth down as a hard surface. ...... The bedrock was grey limestone, with flecks of pink in it, and the gravel made a very attractive surface. ...... I worked away at it for a year or two, and could eventually drive my Volvo 245 estate up the lane, and park on the cobbled base of an old stable that I discovered under decades of waste and growth. Areas that got really hard wear, I kept an eye out in a nearby city when they dug up the roads, as they often threw granite cobblestones away. ...... A solid block of granite set in earth, with a bit of grass to root it in, is'nt going anywhere - will last a lifetime - and looks fantastic. There had been an old slaughterhouse and yard on my northern hedge, an area about 40 x 15 feet, and I tipped the beautiful earth there. ...... Some neighbours with no garden saw it, and asked if they could grow vegetables - and that was the beginnings of a good friendship. I had so much spare earth, I put it in fertiliser bags, and sold it, which was very handy cash at the time. People throw money at problems, when there is usually an inexpensive or free alternative - if you are not impatient, and allow yourself to be inspired. Breathe deep! ...... Relax! ...... Be inspired! ...... Be True! I believe that nothing should be wasted - everything should be reused. ...... Storing things in buckets until needed just makes sense. Keep making videos!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

@@zen4men Wonderful stories. Loved reading about it. Thanks for the knowledge drop, always appreciated. Take care.

[@NguyenNguyen-rv9yw]

very good video. Thank you.

[@jjjjjjuhlll574]

Or stand on the other side and scoop throw in one motion

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Yes that could work too, maybe do both and break it up

[@alexbarb2829]

I also have a quick suggestion I recommend using a square headed shovel for picking up more gravel

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Alex good call, that would help with how much gets picked up, also I have found the square headed shovel is easier to slid on the ground and catches the gravel better. Thanks for the tip!

[@alexbarb2829]

@@EasyGardenHacks oh replied to me from a 1 yr old vid that's cool um yeah NP I didn't say thank you tho for the vid I have been lifting with my back and I always shovel gravel so I need better understanding I have seen people with snow but I felt like I needed someone more relatable so thank you

[@sasha4598]

Cool video! Do you have tips for rocky mountaneus soil? They would be much appreciated :)

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Sasha. You have tough terrain. My quick answer would be to grow in containers. Depending on your climate (hot direct sun or freezing temperatures) you may want to cover / insulated the container. My blueberries were grown in containers for 6-8 year before I put them in the ground. They may have been better producing as well as I could control nutrients and ph better.

[@sasha4598]

@@EasyGardenHacks Thanks for the reply! :) But I`m just beguining to cutivate the land and it is not suitable for machinery. There is a lot of digging by hand and so I was hoping for a tip on digging this type of soil so I can become a small bulldozer. And as for growing food on it...well that will have to wait. Nevertheless thanks for the tip on blueberries - I intend to grow them a lot once I have terraced the place. Never imagened the take so long to incubate in containters before they catch.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

@@sasha4598 I have cultivated a garden from mountain slope creating terraces. For me it I used all the rocks I dug up to create the terrace. Tips on easy digging? Not many its hard work. Patience and perseverence is key. Dont try to do too much at one time. Break up you tasks. Pick off a small zone to start on. Use prybars. If there are trees /roots then a "Pulaski" tool works really well. If big roots I have been known to use a chain saw if necessary. Bluberries can stay in large containers long term if you prep them properly. I feel mine did better when in container vs in the soil now. Best of luck, take your time if you can, pace yourself. Rest and relax after.

[@squirrel78704]

Thank you for the tips!

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Ninfa thanks for watching! The other tip I have for shoveling is if the job is big, break it up into parts. In other words take breaks as needed. Happy digging!

[@adriennebatty3787]

What about gravel that’s more flat with the ground and not in a big pile? If that makes sense lol. I feel like I’m having to lean over more since it’s farther down/flesh with the ground.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Adrienne good question. As you get to the bottom of the pile it does flatten out, this is where you want to use those knees even more. The more you can bend your knees the closer to the ground you will get, the easier on the back it gets. Great job on making it to the end of your pile!!

[@Ohn]

Why throw the gravel behind you instead of turning around so you're not twisting?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Clint good question. For me the twist allows me to get a bit of momentum behind the toss with the shovel. If I faced forward it would put more strain on my low back trying to reach or toss the gravel far enough. My back can take a lot more twisting than it can flexion (bending at the waist). I was filling the whole room so I needed to get some of the gravel to the very back. I will sometimes face forward if I am filling a bucket or something that is right in front of the pile like a wheelbarrow. Thanks for the question.

[@samlindsay9213]

Great Video! Helped A lot 👍

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Sam, thanks for the positive comments and watching the video, hopefully your back is doing well

[@keywestalert6329]

I have an even easier way. If you can, have the gravel as high as you can get it. Then you are going to grab from the top of the pile and only go forward with your shovel( so on the other side of the gravel pile from where he was) and grab from the top and from then on only go down, using gravity as your helper.

[@ChaosForLunch]

yes sir great tips thank you

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Your welcome thanks for watching and comments

[@alexkocharov4292]

He explained it better than doctors could. Bravo

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks alex appreciate the comment, thanks for watching

[@believer270]

Thanks amigo for the tip. Be safe.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks, you too!

[@expressdotpc]

Good tip Sir.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Thanks for watching and the comment

[@palenquegonzalez2068]

Are you right hand or left ?

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi right handed. Thanks for watching

[@thenameofthegame4037]

Thanks

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Mike, no problem, thanks for watching my video.

[@Racontact]

u should position yourself in the direction you have to toss the gravel. twisting your torso underload employees small core muscles that fatigue fast

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Good call, thanks for watching and adding

[@Racontact]

@@EasyGardenHacks sorry

[@DON-yq2op]

Yeah even easier way than that with less effort is having a shorter shovel with a handle on it and using inside your thigh also to push behind it. Or using a 5 gallon bucket and just scooped that stuff up and grab the handle and go over and dump it in, you get a bunch more gravel

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Don great tips, I did end up doing the bucket technique in the end after the vid was made and it was even easier. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@laserlight8588]

who was searching minecraft but found thius

[@EasyGardenHacks]

not me lol...pretty sure my vid didnt help with the mincraft, sorry about that. If you ever have/want to shovel gravel, split wood, grow food and want to do it easier and simpler check me out. Otherwise best of luck with the Ender Dragon!!

[@major14100]

Not me, bruh

[@jamesharder5643]

I was searching for ways to shovel gravel but kept on getting videos for Minecraft!

[@ikudane5423]

I did this before i watch,but at least im so happy

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Happy is good. Thanks for watching!

[@ikudane5423]

@@EasyGardenHacks i had scoliosis before i worry

[@XxSomber]

I listen to this for ASMR purposes only ❤❤

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi sydney had to look up ASMR very cool term thanks for the comment and watching

[@matthewmoneta7906]

When your old man decides to pour a 16x100' driveway with a 4' tall retaining wall and puts you to work mixing the concrete... My back hurts.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Oh yah! That will do it. Mixing concrete twice as hard or more in my opinion. Glad you survived to tell your story. Rest that back and dont tell the old man how hard it was lol.

[@crowjunior3824]

I would have turned towards the dyiriction i was throwing the gravel. The momentum

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hey Crow thanks for the comment, I agree turned / facing the direction I am throwing the gravel would be easier in some situations. If you pile is not too close then I would still prefer the technique I show above. I cover more distance and would not need to reach or throw the material as far as I would if facing the spot I am throwing. Bottom line adjust the technique for your style, strengths, and situations.

[@Gizzard4400]

Then he would have to throw the gravel further taking way more energy

[@crustysockpuppet7446]

Shovel sideways against mound. Let gravity do the work

[@PaulsPatio]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@burningmanmike]

slow and steady

[@EasyGardenHacks]

yes sir, its a marathon not a sprint

[@carlluce7951]

When I shovel for work, I have to throw in into a mixer that is pretty high up. This guy is just tossing it behind him

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hey Carl no doubt you have it tougher, keep shovelling buddy, Im sure you could shovel circles around me!

[@RicoZaid_]

This is Tai Chi mechanics :)

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Rico well said! :)

[@Gizzard4400]

That would take years

[@EasyGardenHacks]

lol yes felt like a while, but once in the groove it went faster than expected.

[@drugdealerjoe1043]

Not with my bobcat haha

[@EasyGardenHacks]

@@drugdealerjoe1043 Always use the bobcat if you have one!!

[@BUSYGrafting]

I’m just starting in construction and using the shovel is a cunt haha I do enjoy hard work but rather not have an aching back thank you 😂👊🏻

[@EasyGardenHacks]

no problem, good luck, talk to some of the long time constructions guyes Im sure they too will have some good tips on how to save your back. Best of luck

[@lilyli2460]

Are you a Chinese? They work like that.

[@EasyGardenHacks]

What? No I am human! Just trying to find easy ways of doing hard work.

[@matthewmoneta7906]

@@EasyGardenHacks ​ Hahahaha, I hope you're saying they are hard workers..

[@nullvoid564]

Plot twist: hes a Chinese knockoff of a real person ever wonder why blade-runner has a mix of japan/Hong Kong/Shenzhen aesthetic but most of the people are western. its a reverse Chinatown they copped the buildings and the people

[@DanielRLuke]

Try this shoveling technique instead: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX-9o4ZvbNaGd8k

[@EasyGardenHacks]

Hi Daniel, interesting set up, looks like it works well and spreads the load well and takes advantage of some biomechanics. Thanks for sharing and watching the video

[@DanielRLuke]

@@EasyGardenHacks thanks..it is a specially designed shovel. Notice that I push into the material with my foot (for most of the video). This is alone far more efficient than having to swing in in the traditional way.

[@Aridzonia1]

You dont do it that way. Use a short handled shovel, staddle the stone and use your hips from right shovel to the left and lift and toss. You be be fired if you did it your way for pay

[@EasyGardenHacks]

lol thanks for your opinion Don

[@luiscruz2571]

This guy 🤦🏾‍♂️😂

[@nonenoneyourbusiness8362]

🤣🤣🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

[@EasyGardenHacks]

👍👍