A shovel is a tool used for digging, lifting, and moving bulk materials, such as soil, coal, gravel, snow, sand, or ore. It is a valuable tool for various tasks, including digging out flower beds, shifting soil around the campsite, and more. Shovels have a flat bottom head which is angled slightly from the handle to enable scooping and moving of loose material. The design of shovels and spades has evolved over many centuries, resulting in a great variety of shovels and spades being developed to meet numerous needs. In general, a shovel is a tool used to dig as well as to move loose, granular materials (like dirt, gravel, grain, or snow) from one spot to another. When selecting the right shovel for the task, ergonomic considerations are essential. The most important features in the selection of a shovel include weight, handle type, length, and blade size and shape.

Different types of shovels are optimized for different tasks and environments. Some common types of shovels include:

• Round point shovel: This type of shovel has a strong blade with a point that helps it cut into the soil. It is useful for digging tasks.

• Square point shovel: This shovel is useful for lifting and moving materials. The square point can also be used to smooth soil during landscaping projects.

• Trenching or irrigation shovel: This shovel has a square, narrow blade that is good for making a deep hole without disturbing plants nearby. It can be used for transplanting or removing individual plants or, as the name suggests, for digging irrigation trenches.

• Drain spade: A cousin of the trenching shovel, the drain spade has a narrow blade with a rounded tip. It is great for digging narrow holes for transplanting flowers or shrubs and for digging or clearing out trenches.

• Scoop shovel: With wide, concave blades and flat tips, this family of shovels are made for lifting and moving materials. A snow shovel is an example. Other scoop shovels are made for shoveling grain or landscape materials like mulch.

• Scraper: These shovels have small blades and flat tips. You can use them to remove weeds or to neaten up the edge of the lawn as a substitute for an edger.

• Trowel: This is a small shovel for use with one hand. The small blade with a pointed tip makes the trowel useful for gardening tasks like planting and weeding.

In summary, shovels are used for digging, lifting, and moving bulk materials, such as soil, coal, gravel, snow, sand, or ore. They come in different types optimized for different tasks and environments, and ergonomic considerations are essential when selecting the right shovel for the task.