Picking the Right Trenching Shovel for Landscape Lighting (What I recommend)

[@aklighting8292]

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[@c.romano1428]

Very helpful and informative. Thank you.

[@CrazySCMom]

Wow! Another incredibly helpful video! Of all the aspects of landscape lighting, I have been dreading trenching the most...our entire yard is covered with 17-yr-old invasive asiatic jasmine, like concrete to penetrate! Now maybe with the right shovel, I'll be able to conquer trenching! 💪😂 Thanks, Adam!

[@aklighting8292]

I really appreciate it! Yeah, trenching is sometimes the worst. Your trenching project is going to be a challenge! you could lay the wire on top of the roots and buy some top soil to put over it. Not sure what your yard looks like, but that might help. Best of luck! 💪

[@cleangreenlawncare1337]

Good info. Just bought all your PDFs and course, hoping this will help me start getting into some basic lighting work in my landscape company.

[@aklighting8292]

That's awesome! I'm actually putting together a course for "How to start and grow your side lighting business". If you are interested in it, let me know and I'll get you in the first group. First group will get the course heavily discounted while it's being build.

[@coleengregory9886]

What kind of tool/shovel do I use to dig up layer of soil that has grass runners growing in it? Want to remove and replace with good soil for planting.

[@ferasdarwish]

Hi, thanks for the video, can you tell the name of the tool that you use to push the cable in the trench please !

[@galfert]

Ace Hardware 47 in. Steel Weeder Wood Handle, but Adam blunted the edge so that it wasn't sharp so as to not hurt the wire. $19

[@on4acres]

Do you have a link to those wire nut insulators? Thanks great video!

[@refreshlandscapelighting4813]

I’m going to check that shovel out.

[@aklighting8292]

Right! I literally just found a shovel like it at Siteone for much cheaper. My biggest fear is with these heavy duty shovels I won't be able to "feel" if I'm cutting into something like drip line, pipes, wire, etc. With the spade I can "feel" it.

[@SlurpGoblin]

Depending on soil type, a pickaxe can also be a good answer.

[@aklighting8292]

That's true! Luckily in my area we don't need to use one. However, parts of Dallas I've definitely needed it. Great suggestion!

[@SlurpGoblin]

Consider me jealous! Also, just wanted to say thanks for this channel man. I watched a lot of your videos starting out and now work for myself. I appreciate you.

[@squirrelattackspidy]

Will a trenching shovel cut through tree roots? I think the second shovel is called a spade shovel. Like the ace of spades. I spawn shovel will sort of cut through roots.

[@starzztop]

What size copper pipe do you use to place spotlight on tree? Do you bend the copper pipe?

[@aklighting8292]

I use a 1/4 inch. It doesn't have to be big, just big enough for the wire to fit with some room. I typically don't bend it, but sometimes I've had to.

[@starzztop]

@@aklighting8292 thank you!

[@heathersack949]

thank you

[@aklighting8292]

You're welcome

[@starzztop]

What size copper pipe do you use when placing spotlight on tree to protect from weed whacker? Do you bend the pipe at bottom? If you do bend the pipe what pipe bender do you use? Thanks!

[@aklighting8292]

Looks like you asked this question a few times. 1/4 inch copper pipe. And i usually don't bend the copper. I've used a hammer to bend the pipe. It's been a while since I've bent the pipe, so I will probably need to try it again and get back to you on how I bend it.

[@3RDWATCH7]

What are code requirements? 18inch min is code

[@macster1457]

It depends. i've read that if you're only using no more than 120v, then you can bury the wire 12 inches (UF-B wire) without conduit, and you also need GFCI

[@username-mc7jw]

Low voltage landscape lighting does not have any code requirements. That's why people use it instead of running 120v AC everywhere.

[@lksf9820]

The nomenclature has become mangled from where it originated. There you will find a spade or a shovel and they're different things for different jobs.

[@username-mc7jw]

You can buy a very good "edging tool" from your local big box store for around $30. You will never touch another trenching shovel again... I promise.

[@aklighting8292]

most edging tools don't have the strength for trenching. I bought the heavy duty edging shovel I show at the end of the video and its nice, but me and my guys are still use to shovels.