Hi all I have to dig footings 750mm deep and about 350mm wide, what spade or shovel is best for this bearing in mind there will be clay AND I’m a small lady but with big determination. One that is more lightweight please thanks
Maybe one of each. Spade for actually digging, and shovel for removing the loose stuff. But it mainly depends how hard or soft is the clay. Hard packed clay may need a pick-axe. You can buy a smaller, lighter spade, but I don't know of any smaller lighter shovels made specially for the smaller person.
You need to buy a graft if digging clay it will make the job easier. Dip it in a bucket of water after every cut and it will just slice through the clay.
Put a hole in clay with bar put hose in for a time clay soft cut out remove by hand sizes of bricks not so hard
You would probably want a border spade if you want something lightweight and small. Stainless steel helps to keep it clean but whatever you do make sure you get a spade with a flat tread on top of the blade to protect your foot. You could do with a small shovel for crumbing up