Learn to Shovel Like a BOSS!!

Shoveling tips to save your back and arms taught to me by my Dad who worked for many years as a laborer digging up gas service lines by hand in the city of Reading, PA where there was no space for heavy machinery to do the work. I'm excavating a shed pad here in this video which will be shown in an upcoming video. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@kenzobatt5718]

Thanks! Those bodies don’t bury themselves...

[@PepsiZM]

Yep

[@dillond9088]

Hol up

[@stormtrooper8556]

Hol up

[@slatecreations8193]

Lmaoooo

[@tobiaspatterson4457]

Bruh, wtf lmfao

[@Kittenmarines]

It might sound dumb but this was incredibly helpful to a city boy like me.

[@zfolwick]

Wait till you try it with a sharpened shovel. It is actually easy and pleasant because it glides through dirt

[@killeanmcchesney5138]

And just buy yourself a pickaxe for when you have to dig through soil that’s as hard as rock, you’ll know what I mean when your shovels sharp and your barely chipping away at it.. Also good to keep a collapsible shovel on hand for hard to dig places or where you need to be close to the ground while digging.

[@thenameofthegame4037]

Same

[@thenameofthegame4037]

@@killeanmcchesney5138 yo men I you have a recommendation. I need to break through road foundation a lot

[@killeanmcchesney5138]

@@thenameofthegame4037 never did road foundation I’d probably buy some power tools for that shit and a generator or something. But yeah if you have a backbone and refuse to say no you’ll cut it with a pick axe sure. Pay me well to do it and I’ll show you it can be done by hand like everything else. We used to chip and break worse in worse conditions with less back in the day. All depends on you though

[@erock5010]

Pipeline construction Laborer here out of Southern cali and these tips are on point. Keep spreading that knowledge. Work smarter, not harder!

[@haroutkadeian3990]

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

[@prowork7127]

And here i am sitting with extreme back pain after a day of digging..... should have known this 24 hours ago

[@GloomyNate]

in the exact same position

[@_SAD_EDITS_]

Not me I was smart and decided to look up this stuff before I started my ditch bc I Knew that there was a lot of hard work involved.

[@user-uv2hn6zi5f]

Same

[@andilemagona2019]

Struggle Gaming oh well done buddy!

[@goodintentions1302]

@@_SAD_EDITS_ Same here! Yay! It'll be easier now I know this!

[@mrtopcat2]

This is so cool. I like how there is a method, a trick for everything and I like it that we live in times where I can find it with a click of a button. Thanks for taking the time for making this video and thanks for sharing you old man's method!

[@RexyFan]

I started digging my backyard yesterday and my back got sore real quick. Continued today and back is getting worse. I came on here in search for better methods. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’ll will try it out tomorrow.

[@atari_hmb]

How'd it go fam?

[@RexyFan]

@@atari_hmb Yeah much better I didn’t get much time to dig today, but I did give it a good few scoops and using my legs instead of my back is so much better.

[@haroutkadeian3990]

Jesus is the only way to healing, restoration and salvation to all souls. Please turn to him and he will change your life, depression into delight, soul heading from hell to heaven all because of what he did on the cross “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

[@canadian_wolf8395]

Just turned 14 and got my first ever job as a labourer at a gravel pit and I just shovelled for 9 hours. Wish I could have known these tips before

[@goaliedude32]

you're allowed to work at 14?

[@ssssSTopmotion]

I'm 13 and I just shovel my garden up when I'm bored. I wish I could get a job

[@canadian_wolf8395]

@@ssssSTopmotion lol. Your parents just let you dig up the garden?😂

[@ssssSTopmotion]

@@canadian_wolf8395 no I got smacked up

[@canadian_wolf8395]

@@ssssSTopmotion 😂😂

[@josephsfields]

I remember working for a company that built pools, and the deck/patio, irrigation systems and landscaping. Basically the job was digging, picking and bulking fully loaded wheelbarrows all day M-F. I was able to hang in there until I figured it out or got used to the work. You either own the shovel or it owns you. I remember we would pick up a new-hire college guy that thought they could handle digging all morning now and then and they would walk off around the side of whatever residence we were at by 10 AM, never to be seen again. I just think dirt work is maybe the hardest work there is when you add the heat of summer or the rain and mud or the frozen ground conditions in winter. Glad I got the chance to go to college and leave that life behind. Wait . . . woops, now I'm on my way to load some top soil to spread in my front yard. Wish I had a Bobcat Skid Steer. Thanks for the refresher.

[@johnyguitar258]

did that when i was 20 to 22 now iam 29 no whay i can pull that off weighting 40 pounds heavier i will gas out in 1 hour and be sour for 1 week

[@DJMikeStaffy]

I'm a landscape labourer and you sir... just saved my back! Lol Thanks!

[@jorgeguzman9592]

Mike_v2.0 I’m a plumber and he saved mine too

[@eddiew2325]

Jorge Guzman get a room you two

[@jorgeguzman9592]

Eddie W you sound dumb

[@lukaszmazurek5195]

Imo the most important thing for safety and efficiency while shoveling is to learn and do both sides/hands equally.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Boy, exactly like I shovel; I had back surgery three years ago (disc degeneration), and I've learned to protect my new back! Great tips, thanks for sharing.

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

thanks, yes it really works and it helps with my new hip, replaced 4 years ago (bone infection and hip fusion when I was 14...no motion at all in my hip for 25 years)

[@gregorymacneil2836]

The only thing I would add is get a good forged shovel that does not flex - they are heavier then the stamped but they cut the earth without bending. Great video! It looks like you have a forged shovel. No one talks about shovels - I bought a gravel shovel for crushed stone (I mix concrete a lot) - totally easier to move stone than a pointed shovel! Shovels are such a underrated and understood tool.

[@user-ut9ui5us3v]

When digging even a small hole, the volume of dirt you displace is still amazing to me after all these years.

[@shaweehillsworkshop4226]

These are some great tips! I wish someone would have showed me this when I first started doing construction. It took me way to long to learn these techniques on my own. Good Video man!

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

hey thanks again! I think many avoid this type of work due to poor technique! Then they pay for a gym membership...haha

[@m0nt3xx97]

I’m 21 and today’s my first day of construction

[@santanatrejoBASS]

DaHomieIVAN how’d it go?

[@dawsonwood7870]

@@santanatrejoBASS apparently he fell off a ladder and died

[@owenwilson882]

@@dawsonwood7870 ha

[@tyesonbuxx]

He died, no shields on his trench and it collapsed.

[@lambolove5445]

@@tyesonbuxx hilarious. Death jokes are so funny

[@Goalsplus]

I love information like this. Some might consider it basic or low level. Nope! It's highly advanced and rare.

[@lillithjones993]

Thank you for the advice I’m about to dig a post hole. I have always hated digging that’s probably because I’ve been doing it wrong

[@troze8533]

i grew up around reading pa, always worked in a concrete worker until this year when i turned 18 I started working for the local union in new jersey doing pipeline construction like your father and let me tell you i never really shoveled up until now and watching this video is gonna save my back haha I always use my back but now I understand thank you for this

[@Andy-ph2dr]

same i just started 4 weeks ago and my problem is moving quicker because i mostly shovel in footings which are very tight spaces

[@imadethiscomment5663]

I'm a country boy but still learned one thing I wasn't doing before. Great video brother.

[@michaelschreffler9424]

Thank you for this channel of how to be a better labor! I was a lumber jack years ago and learn how to lift hundreds of pounds for hours on end by using leveraging. What I wanted to ask, would show us how to make a long twisty gravel walkway, with it's framing, with different rock sides (larger on the outside edges and smaller almost sand like near the center) to make it look like a dried creek bed?? You are doing a great job and a better teacher than many others!!!!! Thx for all you do!

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Thanks for the kind words! Sorry I don't have a need for a walkway at this time but that's a great idea for a future video👍

[@berderk2796]

Gonna be using your tips tomorrow for my plumbing apprenticeship, thanks bro you're a back saver 🙌

[@justincaban5180]

Hope your apprenticeship is going well man. Stick with it. So worth it in the end 🙌🏼

[@clean2394]

Same here man I spent most of 10 hours digging yesterday and my back is killing me, definitely needed this!

[@berderk2796]

@@clean2394 Bro same back when I started shoveling my back was torn up but knowing these techniques really makes shit easier

[@daveswoodshop]

This guy knows how to shovel. Same way I teach people.

[@syrpentina]

I'm looking for a video on the best shovel to dig in rocky soil, and I found this instead... and I'm glad I did.

[@RumplestillSkin99]

Been doing this for about a week and it's increased my digging time by half thank you for the advice

[@steverawlings1128]

Great video! A well-paced, informative guide to shovelling. Superb. Just superb. Thank you!

[@David-kg1hc]

Just got on a excavation crew wish I new this a week ago haha thx for the vid

[@hushedorchestraasmr5277]

This is so helpful. The office life has made me a softie lol. I have to dig up sewage during the quarantine.

[@nicoledepietro8940]

You just saved my body from so much unnecessary pain!! Thank you!!!!

[@browningmaxus5360]

You work as a labourer?

[@slavaluidumnezeupentrutoate]

By far the best explanation that i could find on internet. It will help me a lot. Thank you very much!

[@davekalippo1587]

Im a landscape labourer from Hamburg,Germany Thx fo sharing ur Knowledge My Back is fucked up from all that shoveling i will try ur tips Greets

[@T12J7]

What I used to do when I had a shovel digging job is I used to just dig on my knees (having some padding under your knees of course). That's super low effort that way because when you're on your knees the ground is much closer to you, so you don't need to bend over at all and also, you can grip the shovel much closer to the plate, which makes it also a much lighter to lift. Like I could dig all day like that. Also, if you are a person who digs a lot, I recommend you buy a digging hoe (wide plate) and a pickaxe. Those make digging a lot easier if the ground isn't soft. Also, if you have super soft ground or loose dirt I just like to get on my knees and use a masonry trowel and a bowl (like where you usually have water for washing hands), and than I just fill that bowl up with that trowel and pour it on the wheelbarrow without getting up from my knees. That masonry trowel and bowl system is great for removing the ground around big rocks after which the rock is easier to remove when the dirt is removed around it. Also, one tip if digging a lot, that I personally follow, is not to have stiff pants, like this guy on the video has, because all movement is a lot more restricted on them than with stretchy pants, importance of which you will notice especially if you get sweaty and your clothes start to stick to your skin. I personally like to wear shorts and those powerlifting knee sleeves (not the wraps but the tube) with super soft knee pads. Don't buy a tight knee sleeves, just that they stay on and keep your knees warm. You don't want them too thigh because they will restrict blood flow too much, which will start to bother you if you have them on all day. You can move around on those (the shorts and knee sleeves combo) a lot easier and if you need to get on your knees, the knee sleeves add additional padding and also, keep your knees warm.

[@patrickbrown1186]

yep, that works. I've dug trenches on my knees.

[@gavins9846]

Thank you so much. Just on my second week from landscaping and I'm really feeling my pain from inefficient form

[@wmluna381]

Gotta look up that digging hoe thing and see if they have it at my job. A couple of people mentioned something about that on another video. Digging on your knees sounds like an interesting technique. Will need to try that if an assigned job requires it. Your knee pad equipment tips are appreciated. It's funny that you mention a masonry trowel because I saw where someone relayed that their boss found that they had a garden trowel as part of their kit and it turned out to be a regularly borrowed tool by others at jobsites. I work at a state park as a nameless faceless drone right now. Nice enough people there, but you're barely taught how to use any of the (proper) tools/equipment for the different assigned jobs. They also fail to give parameters for desired results/best expectations. I tend to "overdo" things now as I came to realize the trend. Some of my coworkers still didn't/don't get it and just get sent back to redo things. 🙄🤨😄 Many are college students working there during the summer. It's amazing how people (supervisors and business owners) fail to communicate what they want/need, how long it should reasonably take) and end up disappointed/confused on some level in the outcomes. As an example, yesterday I was told to move picnic tables clear across a large day use area with a tow strap to an end of season staging section (with a Gator), move 55 gallon trash barrels to an entirely different location, AND weed whip where I saw fit. I had about an your's worth of daylight left (work 2nd shift). I said eff this and just weed whipped till I couldn't see anymore in order to accomplish something demonstrable. Otherwise it's "what did they/you do"? They barely also "inspect what they expect" and I witness yet more confusion and miscommunication btw rangers on different shifts on the progression/accomplishments of tasks lists. Oy. Now that I know what's up, I just roll with what exists and either put the onus back on them or ask a lot of extra questions ahead of time.

[@aynaet3448]

Been digging in the garden for an hour before I was hungry enough for breakfast.. back hurts already. Thanks!, gonna do it all day so hopefully I can manage not to kill my back ;D

[@alandeko5409]

Thank you, this was very helpful.

[@NurseNick420]

This is so good thank you!! I recently got a job working for a construction company. I always shovel slowly cause my arms and back gets tired and my bosses tell me to hurry up lol. But this video might just make my job a little easier. Will definitely try this tomorrow!

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

OutNProud500 cool, good luck!

[@dreytonstrickland6302]

Im 18 about to get a pipe laying construction job, thanks for the tips from your old timer👍

[@JuzefaWingedCat]

A shovel is a gardner's best friend.

[@og4life348]

Just started doing labour worked for 2 days shoveling the wrong way and im in so much pain, thanks so much this video was helpful.

[@Rusiputki]

Just to let you know people, if you pump air that's exactly the same way. Don't use your back, use your quads to lift and your weight to go down on the handle. Voila, now you can do x4 tyres at 60psi without dying

[@abdullahsalah4574]

That’s really smart trick thanks 🙏

[@JB-1138]

Thank you, I have a job interview with County maintenance next week.

[@bendude6748]

Gonna give this a go today, I need to dig back some ground to put in a garden shed base

[@C-Mah]

Wow, I didn't think I would find any results let alone this gem.

[@aspen8517]

I'm in pipeline construction water and sewer not bending ur back helps in so many ways every time we hire someone with no experience they complain of their back hurting after a week and I try to tell them it's the way u shovel they use all upper body using ur feet as much as u can with back straight helps tremendously and using a sharpshooter in knocking down walls in tight spaces to give urself room so u don't have a weird angle helped me

[@LoveMeAsBigAsTheUniverse]

Thank you! I'm 22, and 100 pounds soaking wet! My water pipe busted and now I got to dig the whole line up till I find the leak....BY MYSELF

[@ohyeahgamer3736]

Good luck

[@BGVintage]

I also work in the pipeline construction! Good ass money (started out as a shoveler and worked my way up)

[@TimeT0Frown]

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS IS WHAT I WAS DOING AND MY BACK HURT A BUNCH!

[@Antwandoza]

Great stuff! Really helped

[@BrettHollandTheJourney]

About to level my yard with a good old shovel. Thanks for this!

[@jamesbelenolema2050]

Wow masterly class. Thank you so much!

[@littleripper312]

Thanks man, I'm starting a labour job and will need to dig and was worried about not being able to keep up. Good form will hopefully increase my endurance.

[@charvakkarpe]

I'm getting ready to dig down to my pitless adapter and inspect the pipe to the house. This is the most useful video I've found to prepare!

[@ofrecentvintage]

I need to move 6 yards of compost/topsoil to the top of a hill by myself, with a wheelbarrow and a shovel. I need all the back-saving/pain & injury-reducing tips I can get. Thank you!

[@DanielGonzalez-un6rz]

Your wearing a shelby shirt that says it all, you come from a good line of ancestors.

[@smarksruinedwrestling5020]

Respect!!! Thank you for the tips

[@gregchovil8569]

10 hours too late, but I’ll forever remember this! Thank you

[@dawin6710]

I can tell you're shoveling correctly because you look powerful as you're doing it and never awkward. It's the same concept as in martial arts. Thanks

[@kaitiemckee9998]

Thank you for posting this!!!! It’s extremely helpful

[@jadedblackpill5009]

Nice tips!

[@thenameofthegame4037]

The Supporting your shovel on your legg trick is the real deal

[@JimDockrellWatertone]

Good tip, usually the boss doesn't do too much of the shovelling though...lol.

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Jim Dockrell haha! I know right...I should change that title!

[@thenameofthegame4037]

The is a differce between a boss and the boss

[@marcusring6408]

My boss doesn't shovel he talks fb

[@meho5930]

This is good way to do it it will keep your back safe and not just that it will make you strong af after some time

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Easily the best video on how to dig correctly. I’ve watched it a few times as I keep forgetting to bend the knees and end up cursing myself. I’m hand digging a pond and your tips will help a lot.

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Thank you, glad they’re helping. When digging, make sure to break up the ground first with a bar, pick or hoe. Then use the shovel to clear it out with the tips in this video, good luck 👍

[@thedant21]

Sitting on my couch with a heating pad after I shoveled out a bunch of 1/2” river gravel from around the pool edging. Maybe I should have watched this before. Wore the exact same shirt today doing it 😂. Thanks for the tips!

[@hasanalhabshi6283]

Thanks man for sharing the tips ! Appreciate it 👍🏽💯

[@Thefishingplumber]

Expert at digging here too like everyone else i dug a canyon in my yard and grow plenty of bass there

[@allaboutnewsabns4328]

believe me my backbone is still aching using old methodsss. thabksss

[@mrhudah]

Great Video. Very useful information man!!!👍🏾I’m not a guy that shovels but I appreciate the knowledge.🙏🏾😌

[@dranzacspartan8002]

Thanks mate. I'm about to do some garden digging. Never done any digging before so these are nice tips to know.

[@jamesamurdock93]

That’s some nice dirt you should give some tips digging up hard pan

[@UndernetSystems]

Very nice tips. I don't do a lot of digging but this will come in useful when I do.

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

great, glad it might come in handy some day!

[@ichigotrillonator2812]

Godamn yes sir, also I love that shoveling sound

[@believer270]

Thanks, for sharing this knowledge. God bless you.

[@WinmanDesigner]

Taking a break already? I shoveled for 4 hours yesterday! I'm not paying someone $3000 to dig out the side of my foundation! 💪😎

[@sospiroso]

Great video! Good tips to save your body from unnecessary strain .👍👍

[@88c4c9]

wow i never knew there was a proper technique, this helped alot thanks!

[@Otterfreak1]

Worked with a missile crew in Houston Texas for a year and half. Let me tell you mid summer ….rear easement or roadside with no cover from mid summer heat. Shit makes a man of you. My entire crew consisted of older Hispanic and Mexican men and hands down that’s the hardest I’ve ever worked my entire life. 2020 covid hit and we all parted ways due to being short of work. From there I went on to be a laborer on a directional bore team and needless to say those skills came in handy. Years later I’m a Telecom lineman for a power company and anytime there’s any digging involved I almost get excited. Once you acquire the technique and skill it never leaves you.

[@ajaypethani815]

Thanks a lot , it saved my time & I became more productive with your tips , Did a great help !

[@carlwhittaker7570]

Thank you so much this was very helpful for me because I have bad back problems and this will surely help.

[@gavins9846]

thanks, just learning how to use basic hand tools like shovels, pickaxe, axes, hammers for work. Never realized how clueless I was until I b*sted my body with horrific form from my first 2 weeks on my first job.

[@williamsmith-zx7yt]

Thanks... imma be doing this for a job Monday and this will help me keep up with the pros my competitiveness will do the rest

[@donf3739]

Excellent and not-so-obvious advice! Good idea to leave the phone out of the right pocket too.

[@AllTheDips]

Plumber here.. digging is life

[@jorgeguzman9592]

Steve plumber too? Service and repair wbu

[@thenameofthegame4037]

Yeah

[@mattjohnston5807]

Hand digging a foundation for my 10x20 cabin, my back thanks you👍

[@jasonrandall5148]

I dig sleeper out on the railway understand. And this is exactly the same technique i use. But in the UK 🇬🇧 we have a shorter square shovel. Im 50 and still called the best digger on the underground. I learned my technique from my Karate training as it to teached in its stance not to move up and down and to maintain a level stance and let your legs do the work. And nowadays alot of youngs cant dig property and after half a bed there finished. As to the average guy i will usually do 3 times there amount and do 2 or 3 beds after they have completed 1. Not many guys can keep up with close with me we do try to show them the technique but some do some dont listen.

[@mariorodin9246]

Great tips thank you!

[@marcusprice1077]

Takes all day when you do it like that pal👍🏻

[@NvincibleIronMan]

Good video! Definitely wanna try to change my technique after this! Watched another video on landscaping and noticed the worker bending at the waist and lifting with his back/arms. Man, it just looked like something I wouldn't want to do! 🤣👍

[@toanvuong8850]

Well this was very helpful I don’t wanna break my back trying to trying to hard! Thanks

[@VerasakSahachaisaree]

OMG, I did the wrong way as you mention. Now I got right hand pain for month. Thank you so much.

[@charlesrob3969]

About to start a new job that involves a lot of digging. Going to ise these tips. Thank you.

[@christachrista17]

I hurt myself after several days of digging good ole Texas clay and rock. I have 2 yards of sand being delivered tomorrow and knew I better look up some techniques. It can't be as hard as rock and clay, but it's going to be extremely tiring. I'm a 5' woman, I'm not exactly built for [efficient] manual labor. Great tips, THANK YOU! Hopefully, my back holds up this time!

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

Glad they helped! I'm moving a lot of topsoil in my garden now and I've been thinking about this video. The key is that this is about shoveling loose or broken up material. Digging hard clay and rocks is a totally different story. Good Luck!

[@nathanlal7326]

Thank you so much dude, I just started my job as a laborer and I have been getting killed over this

[@frankomorgan3970]

Great work and so informative

[@davidtruong9054]

great tips! using fundamentals to achieve hard things!

[@opasworkshop8373]

nice tips thanks for sharing my friend.

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

no problem, appreciate you watching man!!

[@johnpotesta3744]

thanks, good video

[@FishInDaToilet]

"One tip that I have for digging, that my dad taught me..." ohhhhhhh, so that's why i needed google for this

[@InowroclawX]

Great tips! Will wait for new films! Tnx!

[@fruitcake4t]

i dig this video

[@KingLutherQ]

Thanks! This is very useful information.