Underrated, often overlooked recovery tool

The shovel is one of the most underrated and overlooked recovery tool




The one on the right is NOT a recovery tool despite what some people might say. Great for wandering off to do a dump, but digging out a vehicle?

One on the left is a proper recovery spade! Can be used as a standard length spade or extra reach which is great for getting sand etc away from diff or chassis.

HTH

Brendan

Best recovery device in my opinion is what they call ... a woman. Although, if you have two on board then so much the better!

Nah, at the risk of having my nuts on a skewer when I meet up with 'the ladies' at the next show, I'd better change that opinion.

The best all-around recovery tool I have ever come across is the chunkel - a fairly long pole (3ft - 4ft) with a steel head shaped into a scoop-shape, the leading edge bevelled enabling it to dig into the earth. Tried to find a photo of one but failed miserably! I'll keep looking.

Used throughout Asia, it's so much better than spades or shovels as it scoops mud and soil away, and even works in sand or snow. Reason is there is only one action - scooping - whereas with a shovel you first have to dig and then haul the stuff out from under or away from tyres.

nuts on a skewer

Sounds like some sort of unsavoury item off a survivalists menu

Seriously though ...never heard of a chunkel ...got a few hits on google about it's use in Asia and on the River Kwai etc. but no pictures ?

My favourite recovery tool is one i made myself, it is a shovel, scraper, grab, and has a stainless telescopic handle and all the ends simply snap on and off, it combines many years of off road experience and utilises everything i wished i had got when stuck.

Assassin wrote:

My favourite recovery tool is one i made myself, it is a shovel, scraper, grab, and has a stainless telescopic handle and all the ends simply snap on and off, it combines many years of off road experience and utilises everything i wished i had got when stuck.

Photos?
Just so we could get an idea and / or copy

Raf

with the choice of shovel i have to both agree and disagree,
in sand, fresh soil and fresh snow any shovel will do

but in clay, mud and ice big shovel or pick axes seem to be the only way

freespirit4x4 wrote:

with the choice of shovel i have to both agree and disagree,
in sand, fresh soil and fresh snow any shovel will do

but in clay, mud and ice big shovel or pick axes seem to be the only way

That's precisely why the chunkel is the best 'all-rounder'.

On the Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia the British teams turned up with their ex-army foldaway shovels, fair enough 'cause they hadn't experienced the jungle, but quickly learnt that the chunkel is far better for the soil - a heavy clay.

Swinging the chunkel and pulling it back after it's dug in is a far easier action than ramming in a spade/shovel, pushing down with the foot, pushing & pulling it back and forth to loosen the earth, then lifting, then throwing the spoil to one side is KNACKERING in the hot 'n' humid conditions!

Has anyone got a photo?

nearest i could fined well they must have a use some where

Made me titter did that ... only 1 1/2 years late with my reply!