Roto shovel! Auger + shovel = garbage or garden miracle?

[@jasonjabs7165]

I would have to say hands down this tool was only meant for a garden bed/garden with an established known organic planting soils in the mix!

[@jamesleicher]

agree or holes for new plants

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yup, would probably be really good for bulb planting and stuff like that too

[@ExcavationNation]

You sure it's not made for gravel driveways?

[@mr.brownstone1062]

Or sand 😂

[@jasonjabs7165]

@@mr.brownstone1062 I bet it would work in sand. If you want to grow a cactus 🌵 .. idk not a plant expert!

[@chrismader3689]

That looks like something you find on the Father’s Day late gift display, along with the nose hair trimmer, golf ball monogramming set, and magnetic Chinese checkers.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hahaha

[@timbutler3213]

Or a mixer for a bucket of margarita

[@louroberts5567]

hahaha! Omgosh, right?!?!!

[@evilbrat5376]

@@timbutler3213 Wash it first before though. . . .

[@courier11sec]

I'd take a nose hair trimmer over that any day.

[@crosslawncare1557]

I would have to pass. We use an auger bit on a cordless drill and it works really well. Nowhere near the problems you were experiencing. Thanks for the product tests, they really are helpful.

[@Fluxion11]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@JCLandscaper88]

Wow! Your wife's favorite tool is much different than my wife's favorite tool. Thanks for another great video.

[@glennwolfe1663]

Stan, as a 73yo gardner with lower back issues, I see where this could be a useful tool in the tool shed. Thanks for sharing it in this video👍👍👍👍👍😺🤗🐺

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks for being here 😁 Hope your gardening is going well!

[@brucemarkey7177]

I don't know about that Glenn, I almost think the bending over to use this thing would be harder on your back. :)

[@erichill5208]

Clearly that’s a light weight tool. Not made for hard compact soils with rocks. High speed low torque motor low voltage. Looks to me like it’s made for loose soils in a planter bed. To make a hole to put a plant in

[@rgr3427]

I bought 2 augers for my wife years ago plus she got my old battery operated drill to use with them. Perfect for her garden and other plantings. Have to watch the torque if you dig in harder soils but besides that they are great.

[@billvandorn5332]

Probably okay with souls without rocks.... Maybe good for planting many bulbs, tubers and small plants.

[@jamessandifer3405]

Personally a 20lb mantis tiller is the best. Yes they cost $300 + but they dig like champs. Just pull to rear as you dig to clean out your hole. Awesome for shrubs, flowers whatever. Use it dump your gas out run it till it dies. You will never have any issues, normally associated with 2 cycle motors. I can't say any thing about the other tiller makers. I sold my mantis years ago. Still regret it to this day. I gave $150 for mine at a pawn shop. I have the tiller attachment for a weed eater works okay but not as easy to use as the mantis was.

[@Manhandle730]

They are great I fully agree. If you have small to medium areas that need to be tilled they are what you need! If you need to do large areas it’s best to upgrade to a rototiller(rear tine is best. My favorite is made by Barretto and Home Depot rents them out).

[@christianness8983]

This would probably work better as an attachment for a regular drill. Also it baffles me how there are so many of these companies that have some ideas that are actually pretty good, but then choose to make cheap garbage instead of build them well to give their product a strong launch. What we need are professional companies to look at these ideas and say ok, that's a good idea, now lets make it work to its full potential.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Right. This ix an amazing concept it just needs more durability, that would help open up the versatility to it so much!

[@njh4473]

So basically if for existing flower beds. Great video keep safe and keep the videos coming.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Pretty much 👍 Thanks for bein here

[@grilsegrils9330]

I like how you torture test the thing. But it is a pain to watch too 😆

[@aaronward4790]

Appreciate your honest reviews! Thanks for your heart towards the guys/gals in this community! Have a blessed day stan!

[@bmx135536]

I plant like 600 or so annual flowers in one senior village and we brought a similar auger type extension for a regular drill.. seems to work better than that thing. That shovel gets in the way more than helps. Check Amazon for one.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Cool beans. Wish I could try it without the shovel too

[@nzl2004]

@@Dirtmonkey Looks like a typical 'As seen on TV' gimmick... Take the auger out of the kit and put it in a standard cordless drill. Job done! haha

[@CZAnthonyX]

good evening Stan!! I had a pretty decent day! I hope you and your guys did to! Keep up the great work! Have a great week!

[@Dirtmonkey]

Having a pretty dandy day myself 😊 thanks for the love! Go get em

[@brentdavis4867]

I use a large long bulb auger in a cordless drill for the flower beds works like a charm, saves tons of time.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Nice sounds like a good system

[@martineastburn3679]

I think that is for the Garden - already tilled and used now new holes for pot plants home grown or bought.

[@Dirtmonkey]

My thoughts too 👍 Could actually be a pretty cool tool for the garden

[@freddapelter8332]

Stan, Thank you for your honest reviews. Please keep them coming. This would be a hard pass.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Of course! Not here to sell crap, just sharing reality

[@seen48]

The tool has an auto stop feature on it, when it hits an obstacle. It says remove the obstacle and continue. It does not seem to like areas with rocks. It did seem to perform in the garden, where it’s meant to be used.

[@workingmanrondoyle3287]

Great honest demonstration Stan🤔 It appears that it would be okay for planting seeds in moderately firm ground. Or maybe the occasional metal detecting digs.. Keep up the good work my brother from another mother👍👍

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good point! In some cases this tool straight up sucks and other cases I could see it being great. Thanks for tuning in bud 👊😁

[@coondogtheman]

I could have used one of those today as I was planting in the garden. I currently just use a trowel and dig a hole manually or use this drill rototiller attachment that I made from stainless steel shafts and brackets and it works pretty good. This thing needs to spin a lot slower maybe half that speed if it's going to dig up packed dirt and rocks. Stanley you should try the auger part in a drill by itself?

[@karencross1964]

coondog, stick to the home made.

[@scotchdrnkr]

I bought an Arbor for my cordless drill. It works very well so well in fact it will try to twist your arm off if it bites into something solid.

[@jerrystott7780]

It might work for stirring up a compost pile.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good call

[@WeTheMasons]

Definitely for the garden or soft landscape beds for planting.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Agreed 👍

[@sdrammm696969]

Before u even start, that looks like Garbage LOL.😂

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

I'm tired of digging trenches for lamp posts and swimming pool feeders and I was really hoping this tool was going to be something I could use but I dont think so.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Definitely not the tool for those types of jobs

[@zombieapocalypsecherokee9224]

Hey Stanley Looks like a good idea with room for lots of improvement I'd start off with a longer handle. Looks like it would kill your back benting over like that after awhile and a foot kick where the handle meets the unit. Id also go for a more powerful brushless motor with a cord and battery option people love options lol Thanks for sharing Stanley 😁✌️

[@ronaldshank736]

That thing make a pick and shovel look good 😂

[@Dirtmonkey]

Kinda does huh 🤣

[@mth4849]

I have a couple of similar dirt augers made for my battery and electric 3/8 drills... work great in dirt gardens to dig holes for bulbs and Gerten 6-packs. I don't see much difference in operation between mine and the added "shovel". Mine does log down after it's down a couple of inches but you just pull it back up to dump the dirt like an ice auger.

[@Mopardude]

I dunno if I would spend money on it, but I have a decent sized garden. I could see how it could turn a hour to hour and half planting job into about a 20 to 30 min job in a nicely tilled garden.

[@Dirtmonkey]

True that 👊

[@courier11sec]

Looks like a fairly efficient de-fingering device. I guess the saving grace is that it's pretty weak with only three low grade 18650 batteries in the pack. Is say give it to the kids for sand castle stuff at the beach, but then they would probably come back a few digits shy. Sheesh..

[@williammarsh2713]

You can simply put an auger on your cordless drill. The side seems to hold it up. The auger extending beyond the sleeve (shovel part) may need to be larger diameter and reduce diameter by shovel. Could loose a finger if caught between auger and sleeve.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Definitely gotta be careful with that one!

[@nzl2004]

That was exactly my thinking as soon as I saw it come out of the box!

[@ricklee4]

I too see a very dangerous tool, it needs a pair of two-hand dead man switches. Even then it could get your foot!

[@Whipkick2]

I use an auger on a drill. Works well. The shovel attachment didn't convince me on this one.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Agreed. It may work a lot better without the shovel but idk

[@johnthreefifteen]

I bought a small auger and put it on my drill to plant bulbs. Worked fine.

[@Dirtmonkey]

That's neat 👍

[@MRunar007]

fun idea as an attachment to use on a solid drill, do not need another battery junk

[@andysukosd8177]

Love your video's, love your honesty ! would never buy that tool. Total junk ! Love ya brother !

[@Dirtmonkey]

Always keeping it real 👊 thanks for being here bud

[@thebeans804]

I have an auger that I attach to my drill. It is fun. I also have the tool your wife uses. It doesn't hurt my back if i only use my arms and legs. I will pass on this tool. Thanks for showing us. ☺🙏

[@Dirtmonkey]

Nice 👍

[@joel-vf5sd]

I think if it had a 3ft pole to prevent bending and I think that my mother could use it successfully in the clean prerototilled garder to get the weeds between the plants. We plant the rows so i can run the rototiller between them to weed but we still need to hand weed between the plants. Pole that can be removable so it has dual abilities in diatance and i could see buying it. A dewalt battery adapter and im in.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Riiight it could actually be pretty awesome for that

[@patkane5018]

That thing looks like a trip to the ER to me!!

[@Dirtmonkey]

I didn't think so much of the safety concerns but could see it being gnarly for some!

[@patkane5018]

Keep both hands on that thing at all times...hahahahah

[@jester-gq9jq]

Looks like it might work good for established garden and flower beds that are not extremely compacted. Cool idea

[@Dirtmonkey]

Definitely

[@jayharris5305]

this was not designed for rocky areas. instructions say it will stop when hitting a rock. it passes for planting bulbs, plants, annuals and small shrubs.

[@AlexeiTetenov]

Thanks for sharing!

[@garybrazee2128]

seems like it would work great in potting soil on a raised garden or non rocky application

[@ritterjon]

💥 Hey Stan, I don’t feel like you gave that tool a fair review. As a gardener I can easily see the benefits of it. I would love to come get that from you and feature it on my channel. Seriously 😁👍 *Keep on tractoring!*

[@christopherrabaldo3377]

No one cares about your channel though.

[@rotoshovel336]

We'd love to send you a unit! Reach out to our email and we'll get one sent to you quick! [e-mail]😁

[@christopherrabaldo3377]

@@rotoshovel336 Thank you. I appreciate it. I'll email you today, lol.

[@matthewmontague1702]

Did better than I thought it would

[@tonynewton7902]

Epic fail. Nice one Stan. 👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@htownblue11]

That’s not a tool intended for anything heavy duty. For soft soil applications, might be useful for planting. But for hard pack or rocky soil, it’s a no go tool. And that’s fine, doesn’t make the tool bad. Just means the tool has a specific application.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Love that point, it doesn't make the tool bad. I could see it being super helpful in different scenarios / soil too

[@ianunderwood5858]

Love the videos

[@Dirtmonkey]

Thanks brother 😁

[@landmarkcreations1183]

Could definitely see this being great for older folks. Could see this in the garden center at Home Depot

[@FixItYerself]

looks like fun for loose soil

[@Dirtmonkey]

Exactly

[@MARKLOCKWOOD2012]

motor is bad or it has a ground short? question is how many has been sent out or on shelves with defective or fire 🔥 hazard parts?

[@Dirtmonkey]

Good questions

[@sociopathmercenary]

Due to my wife's urging, I bought one of the auger attachments for my cordless drill despite my scepticism. In soft loamy garden soil, it works ok. However, it'll damn near break your wrist if you hit rocks or roots or anything that adds resistance to the auger. Plus the end that goes on the chuck is already starting to round and strip. Save your money.

[@danielmoore6507]

This video will result in Stan contacting the manufacturer to say it broke...... again lol

[@18brash]

Looks like you would be better off just getting a bit like that and an el-cheapo drill

[@Dirtmonkey]

That's probably cheaper too!

[@Eagle_1985]

I feel like he’s using it wrong …. More for gardening only not for ruff natural ground

[@jayharris5305]

yes, for gardens. instructions tell you it will stop for rocks. this is for established gardens, small shrub planting, etc.

[@michaelmaker8169]

At work last year, we planted alot of flowers did similar but that might have worked we didn't have to many rock. Probably good for small transplants flowers. A battery operated shovel lol.

[@Dirtmonkey]

As a shovel its crap! But for gardening it could be nice

[@briansierzega]

I’d MacGuyver that thing into a paint roller cleaner, mud / cement mixer, or drink mixer

[@scorpio6587]

I'm having trouble understanding the intended benefit of putting the two tools together.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Planting in softer areas

[@ChadsLoud]

Maybe for drilling a hole for a post to use an umbrella at a beach or to dig a trench for a sand castle. Thanks for this review and saving me from buying this garbage.

[@tomcole4736]

See you did it again, you answered my comment before I was able to post it, too funny. I think they had to put a torgue limiter on it or get sewed by people whose wrists were broken or sprained while using it. I am looking at this tool for burying 3" well lights. Most of the ground would be flower beds and yards but this give me a good idea of what I would have found out buying it and testing it myself. Had it worked well i would have used it in a lighting install training and offered to one of the contractors as a door prize. This looks like the first release of it. So next gen should include a contractor or "Professional" version, that will have the torque limiter removed, a threaded slot in the side where you can insert a handle, similar to rotor hammer, and a 20v battery for more power. Thank you for posting this, I was just about to buy one and test it myself. I think it shows good promise for planting bulbs in flower beds or 4" perinnels where you are laying down 100's of them on an entrance, or even doing pot change outs from season to season. if they had a sds end on the auger bit I would buy the auger for my battery powered hammer drill. Great job as always, Thank you

[@hassenfepher]

my first thought was "oh neat, this would be good for installing termite bait spikes" my second thought was "nevermind"

[@amoremorte3330333]

is there an 18 volt or 20 v upgrade? it would have to be bigger and more sturdy to be used for jobs . nice idea?

[@jamesmisener3006]

To be fair Stan gardens don't have gravel in them. Looks like it may work well turning a current garden in spring but then you'd want a mini tiller type not an auger. Only use I see is for planting bulbs maybe. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@katrinabyerly6284]

I think it's more for flower beds with soft dirt. I could see my mom using it in her flower beds to plant bulbs.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yes I could definitely see it being a genuinely great tool for that

[@blackwolf8281]

I'm going to say " Nope" .. Not enough power .. Seems like a good idea, but low power would be an issue.. Thanks Stan for the great reviews 🖒🖒 God bless..

[@Dirtmonkey]

Better power would probably help 👍 & right back atcha

[@mrsmiley631]

It's trying to do too much. Lose the shovel/shroud. Make it a dedicated battery-operated plunge auger. Good for flower and vegetable gardens, as well as containers.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yep, would probably work well in already loose soil

[@kentmckean6795]

The case is definitely a fail. The tool seems ok if you are going to be using it in garden/flower beds. You definitely wouldn't want to use this to break up virgin soil! I would pass...

[@Dirtmonkey]

Great point 👍 my thoughts exactly

[@benknotes9450]

The shovel part looks more like a hindrance. I agree the auger bit alone would probably work better .

[@petersmart1999]

I bought an auger bit from ACE goes in a regular cordless drill,it was less than $20! I planted 11 flats of flowers in like a half hour!

[@waynewolfenbarger1641]

I would like to fabricate the bottom attachment on a drill like they use on a curb roller.

[@JonR35]

Drill plus a 3ft auger attachment and no bending over is the way to go on garden soil

[@SandyMasquith]

If my dad were still alive, I’d order this. It would’ve been perfect for his gardening work. But, I actually think for older folks it has to have a longer handle. Dad had lots of trouble standing up if he had to kneel down.

[@intheshopnyc849]

Thanks Stan but that thing is hot TRASH LOL 🤣🤦‍♂️ BUT GREAT VIDEO BRO

[@dpyles9396]

Not at all a fair test of this type of device. I'm no fan of gimmick tools but this is clearly meant for older gents and most ladies to do gardening in a bed of some type and not in a driveway or a rocky place. If you were to use this in a prepared flower bed or raised garden bed I feel like it would work fine for what it is. Once you got it to the actual garden it seemed like it did very well.

[@johnedwards9272]

I would suggest sharpening the auger blade and the shovel blade. Also the other video I saw, the user had to do some angular maneuvering to get into the hole.

[@c.m.cunningham1175]

Can you take the auger off and put it on a impact driver?

[@odjwizardo3198]

looks like it would be ok for the green house lol. how would the auger do if used with a power drill on its own ?

[@drewtravis3544]

Sorry, another question not on “ rock picker”, What kind of boots do you use , and are they waterproof?

[@rolandvalleyremodel6018]

So it works on super manicured soil that's Prime for growing. For people that can actually use a shovel that's not a problem. Where's the Roto shovel that can go through the rocky Colorado soil.

[@edwardgarea7650]

Watching you trying to use this, I thought for a second it might be a gag gift. When it kept failing because every plot of dirt has rocks, you apologized for not able to show us how it works. We saw how it works. It seems to be as useful as putting fog lights on a push mower.

[@Manhandle730]

Foggy conditions are actually the perfect time to mow your lawn.

[@johnnyt5347]

I’d say one jump on a spade shovel is easier, goes deeper , and less hassle or prep/maintenance. So maybe good for old people on lil dirt gardens of potting soil if that.. but to each their own

[@landonmorel3715]

i think it just needs some tweaks and made with better materials and i could see it being a very good selling item

[@Dirtmonkey]

Completely agree. And in the meantime it could be great for softer beds

[@walsh9354]

Hey Stan, I’d like to know you adjust for the cost of gas & diesel with jobs ? Are you canceling already agreed upon contracts & estimates Bc of the price differences, or losing money, or know of anyone losing money Bc of sudden rise in gas prices with pre bids & estimates ?

[@marknunya3035]

Looks like a dandy tulip or bulb planter. I would see it and think flower beds not digging a ditch. Just My take on what I'm seeing. As always good luck and God Bless.

[@Onhereforfun85nodrama]

You call that a knife now this is knife lol

[@danielstewart7732]

What ever "problem" this solves, is no where near the wasted energy, time, materials, and danger of operating this thing. This is just more trash and toxic E-Waste to end up in a landfill. Maybe in an established green house, or large finished professional garden where a landscaper is planting hundreds of bulbs...

[@Dirtmonkey]

On the dot. Well said sir

[@jamesgarrison6430]

So there is a dead spot on the motor. It got to hot or just came apart

[@smellycat249]

Omg this is amazing. I don’t even need to watch this video to know that’s the greatest invention ever. I hope there is an affiliate link 🤞

[@Manhandle730]

Sorry robot, it’s a piece of crap. I wonder if your prewritten comment was able to fool anyone? Hmmmm I guess it’s a good thing you metal bastards can’t feel guilt or shame. You definitely should be feeling it after leaving that comment.

[@nathanbrodeur]

Stan that tool is ment for planting plants in flower beds

[@markwn1987]

It would be great for a established garden to wear the ground is already loose and easy to dig. It does look great for planting flower bulbs

[@loganh6736]

Same thing I used many years ago doing soil sampling only using a 1 hp electric drill didn’t have the battery operated ones then. Know let’s talk about the real problem when the wife gets home and looks out the window and yells STAN do we have a mole or gofer problem in the back yard and flower beds there all these holes back here.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Hahah maybe she won't notice 🤫

[@wallacecyr561]

Hi Stan The idea behind this one is gr8, but the perfomance is a fail, hope the creators keep working on it.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Me too. It could potentially be super BA and helpful working in the garden

[@dereksmith1803]

It looks like it would be good for planting tulip bulbs in a garden or a planter box where the soil is already loose, but not really designed for turning over a hard-packed gravel driveway. You're trying to make it do something that it probably wasn't designed to do, but I understand that you're trying to push it to its point of failure (like you do in all your tests)

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yep that's why I tested it in a garden bed too, but you're right about the already loose soil. Unfortunately I didn't have a loose soil bed so I just used what I had

[@stevenwallard1181]

Didn't makita make something similar that had a chain saw engine on it for doing trenching

[@MagentaRV]

What about the weight? How quickly would it fatigue an older person with arthritic hands etc, for example?

[@Farmingfrommyangle.]

By the sounds of it, a bearing is bad, therefore binding till you force it.

[@michaelosullivan8325]

Be a pain in the bum for ground work but for raised flower beds sleeper beds windowboxes flowerpots Black soil beds I can see it being some use

[@drphibesrises]

Isn't a function of the unit to stop when it hits rocks to protect from motor burnout. I think it is designed to do that.

[@Dirtmonkey]

Yeah it's designed to do that, shows me it'd be better off with a stronger motor or just designated for pre-tilled softer areas

[@EMTevjorgensen]

It could be a good bulb planter for your wife to put in daffodil and tulip bulbs in the garden. Since you plant those in the Fall I wonder how it would work going through frozen soil.

[@courier11sec]

This is a good example of a product that was rushed to market when it needed a couple more years in the development oven.