A panning tool is described and comprises a sifting scoop comprising an elongated half sphere of proportional dimensions. The elongated half sphere can be a one-piece main body comprising a floor with a front edge, a left side wall curving upwardly along the floor's left side, a right side wall curving upwardly along the floor's right side, and a back wall curving upwardly from the floor's back side. The left side wall, right side wall, and back wall define a reservoir. The floor extends forwardly from the back side. The panning tool comprises a connection body. The connection body is affixed to an interior face of the sifting scoop. Methods of using the panning tool and manufacturing the sifting scoop are also described.

An electrical handheld shovel system includes a handheld shovel with an auger bit. The shovel includes a motor configured to rotate the auger bit and a portable power source configured to power the motor. The shovel includes an input/output (I/O) device and a controller to control rotation of the auger bit. The shovel has a handle and a shovel portion. In one example, the power source is integrated into the handle, and in another example, the power source is detachably coupled to the handle. The shovel has a gearbox coupled to the motor. The shovel portion includes a blade positioned proximal to the auger bit to retain debris from the auger bit. The auger bit has a flute that is partially covered by the blade, and the blade defines a discharge opening configured to discharge at least some of the debris.

An electrical handheld shovel system includes a handheld shovel with an auger bit. The shovel includes a motor configured to rotate the auger bit and a portable power source configured to power the motor. The shovel includes an input/output (I/O) device and a controller to control rotation of the auger bit. The shovel has a handle and a shovel portion. In one example, the power source is integrated into the handle, and in another example, the power source is detachably coupled to the handle. The shovel has a gearbox coupled to the motor. The shovel portion includes a blade positioned proximal to the auger bit to retain debris from the auger bit. The auger bit has a flute that is partially covered by the blade, and the blade defines a discharge opening configured to discharge at least some of the debris.

An improved yoke for a dipper handle assembly used on a power shovel is provided. The yoke is constructed at least in part of a transition portion and associated lugs that are manufactured of a forged material as opposed to castings. Accordingly, the yoke is less prone to failure and easy to repair in the field.

A hole digger is provided. The hole digger includes a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a first grip, a first intermediate portion, and a first blade. The first intermediate portion extends between the first grip and the first blade. The second handle assembly including a second grip, a second intermediate portion, and a second blade. The second intermediate portion extends between the second grip and the second blade. The second handle assembly is pivotally coupled to the first handle assembly such that a front surface of the first blade faces a front surface of the second blade. The first blade is not identical to the second blade. At least one stiffener is coupled to at least one of the first or second blades.

A hole digger is provided. The hole digger includes a first handle assembly and a second handle assembly. The first handle assembly includes a first grip, a first intermediate portion, and a first blade. The first intermediate portion extends between the first grip and the first blade. The second handle assembly including a second grip, a second intermediate portion, and a second blade. The second intermediate portion extends between the second grip and the second blade. The second handle assembly is pivotally coupled to the first handle assembly such that a front surface of the first blade faces a front surface of the second blade. The first blade is not identical to the second blade. At least one stiffener is coupled to at least one of the first or second blades.

A hand tool that provides a means for a person standing outside of a hole in the ground to remove loose soil from the bottom of the hole by using, in the preferred embodiments, a shaft to pull the tip of the hand tool across the bottom of the hole and toward the user, and where the loose soil is collected through the open side of the hand tool and onto a horizontal surface where it is contained on said horizontal surface by its sides. Once the loose soil is collected onto the horizontal surface, the shaft is used to lift the loose soil out of the hole for deposit at a location outside of the hole. The hand tool is sized to allow a manageable amount of loose soil to be lifted by hand from the hole. Other embodiments are described.

A hand tool that provides a means for a person standing outside of a hole in the ground to remove loose soil from the bottom of the hole by using, in the preferred embodiments, a shaft to pull the tip of the hand tool across the bottom of the hole and toward the user, and where the loose soil is collected through the open side of the hand tool and onto a horizontal surface where it is contained on said horizontal surface by its sides. Once the loose soil is collected onto the horizontal surface, the shaft is used to lift the loose soil out of the hole for deposit at a location outside of the hole. The hand tool is sized to allow a manageable amount of loose soil to be lifted by hand from the hole. Other embodiments are described.

An electrical handheld shovel system includes a handheld shovel with an auger bit. The shovel includes a motor configured to rotate the auger bit and a portable power source configured to power the motor. The shovel includes an input/output (I/O) device and a controller to control rotation of the auger bit. The shovel has a handle and a shovel portion. In one example, the power source is integrated into the handle, and in another example, the power source is detachably coupled to the handle. The shovel has a gearbox coupled to the motor. The shovel portion includes a blade positioned proximal to the auger bit to retain debris from the auger bit. The auger bit has a flute that is partially covered by the blade, and the blade defines a discharge opening configured to discharge at least some of the debris.

An electrical handheld shovel system includes a handheld shovel with an auger bit. The shovel includes a motor configured to rotate the auger bit and a portable power source configured to power the motor. The shovel includes an input/output (I/O) device and a controller to control rotation of the auger bit. The shovel has a handle and a shovel portion. In one example, the power source is integrated into the handle, and in another example, the power source is detachably coupled to the handle. The shovel has a gearbox coupled to the motor. The shovel portion includes a blade positioned proximal to the auger bit to retain debris from the auger bit. The auger bit has a flute that is partially covered by the blade, and the blade defines a discharge opening configured to discharge at least some of the debris.