Tools Commonly Used in Restoration Work

Tools Commonly Used in Restoration Work

By Darla Tiernan

There are a multitude of commonly used tools in restoration work. It is most important to remember to use tool safety when working on a restoration project. Be sure your crew leader goes over proper tool usage and tool safety before you begin working.

If you are not sure how to use a tool, always ask for help. Tools fall into different categories, including:
1) measuring;
2) Cutting, Sawing, Brushing;
3) Pounding and Hammering;
4) Lifting and Hauling;
5) Chopping and Grubbing;
6) Digging, Scooping and Planting; and
7)Personal Protection.

Source: The following tool descriptions were obtained from Colorado Outdoor Training Initiative’s Safety and Tools Handbook. Volunteer Outdoors Colorado Initiative, “Safety and Tools Handbook,” Retrieved 12/3/08 from: http://www.voutdoors.org/Resources/80_COTI%20Tool%20Module-pp.pdf

Tools For Measuring

Altimeter:An instrument for measuring altitude.

Clinometers: A clinometer is a simple instrument for
measuring grades. Most clinometers have two scales,
one indicating percent of slope, the other showing
degrees. Percent slope, the relationship between the
amount of elevational rise or drop over a horizontal
distance, is the most commonly used measure. Don’t
confuse percent and degree readings. It is easy to do!
Expressed as an equation: Percentage of Grade = Rise
/ Run X 100 Percent. Asection of trail 30 m (100 ft)
long with 3 m (10 ft) of elevation difference would be
a 10 percent grade.

Levels:A device for establishing a true horizontal
line or plane by means of an bubble in a liquid that
shows adjustment to the horizontal by movement to
the center of a slightly bowed glass tube. Carpentry
and construction levels, line levels, and laser levels are
different types of levels that can be used for construc-
tion of fencing, stone walls, board- walks, and bridges.
Levels also help to determine the slope of trail tread.

Abney Level: Hand-held instrument that is adjusted
like a sextant and can be set to a fixed gradient. The
user sights through the Abney to a fixed reference
(usually a second person) until the crosshair bisects
the bubble; this indicates the preset grade.

Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver:A hand-
held, battery powered device used to determine the
location (latitude and longitude and/or meridian) and
altitude using a network of global positioning satel-
lites.

Measuring Wheel: A device that records the revolu-
tions of a wheel and hence the distance traveled by
rolling the wheel over a trail or land surface. (Cyclom-
eter)

Other Measuring Devices:The tilt of the handle on an
upright McLeod can be used to measure outslope of
tread. Apartially filled, clear water bottle can be used
as a level. Pulaski’s are useful as measuring gauges
since the handles are exactly 3 feet long and most
heads are 1 foot from end to end. Get a tape measure
that has metric units. Another good idea is to mark off
commonly used measurements on your tools. Know
the length of your feet, arms, fingers, and other handy
rulers as a ready reference on the trail. Get to know the
length of your pace over a known course so you can
easily estimate longer distances.

Tools for Cutting, Sawing and Brushing

Bow Saws:Bow saws come in many sizes and consist
of a tubular steel frame designed to hold a sharp and
deeply toothed steel blade. Blade lengths can vary
from 16 to 36 inches.

Bark Spud:A tool with a 1- to 4-foot long wood handle
and a dished blade used to remove bark from logs by
sliding between the bark and the wood.

Bush Hook:A long handle and either double- or single-
edged curved blade gives the bush hook a powerful
cut.

Chain Saw: A portable gas-operated saw with an end-
less chain carrying cutting teeth.

Cross Cut Saws:A crosscut saw is a large saw intended
for cutting through downed timber. This type of saw
should be used with wedges to hold the kerf (cut) open
to prevent the log being cut from sagging and pinch-
ing the saw. The crosscut saw has two handles con-
nected by a long steel saw blade. This saw requires
two people to use it. Correctly pushing the saw in sync
and at the same speed, while your partner pulls allows
the saw to work to it’s full potential. After a few pulls,
a smooth rhythm may be obtained. Crosscut saws are
another tool that takes practice and experience to use
safely and effectively and may require certification.

Draw Knife:A tool with a sharp blade and handles at
both ends used to strip bark from small diameter logs.
(Raw Knife)

Froe:An old hand tool used originally for splitting
shingles and shakes. It consists of a heavy, 12-inch-
long, straight steel blade with a wooden handle. The
cutting edge of the blade is placed against the wood to
be cut and a club or mallet is used to hit the face.

Lopping and Pruning Shears:Lopping and pruning
shears are similar in design and use. However, lop-
ping shears have longer handles to improve reach and
increase leverage for cutting thicker stems. Handles on
lopping shears range from 26 to 36 inches long, and
should be used on live limbs approximately 1 inch di-
ameter or smaller. Pruning shears have shorter handles
and should be used on small branches with diameter of
approximately 3/8 of an inch. Agood rule of thumb is
not to cut anything bigger than your thumb. Use a bow
saw for limbs larger than 1 inch in diameter.

Machete:A large knife used to clear succulent vegeta-
tion.

Pole Saw:A pruning saw with a telescoping handle to
trim branches that would otherwise be out of arm’s
reach. Some models have built-in loppers that can be
operated from the ground with a rope. (Tree Pruner)

Pruning Saws:Single handled, straight bladed prun-
ing saws are useful for limbing, some brushing, and
removing small downfall; especially where space is
limited and cutting is difficult. Folding pruning saws
are handy.

Scissors: Heavy duty scissors or utility shears are used
to cut erosion mat, straw wattles and twine used in
erosion control.

Swedish Safety Brush Axe:A machete-like tool with
a protected short, replaceable blade and a 28-inch
handle used to cut through springy hardwood stems.
(Sandvik)

Timber Carrier:A tool, with a long handle and hooks,
which allows two people on each side of the carrier to
transport logs or timber.

Weed Cutters:Weed cutters are used for cutting light
growth like grasses and annual plants that grow along
trails. They are lightweight and durable and usually
swing like a golf club. Tool with a serrated blade at the
end of a wooden handle. (Grass Whips, Weed Whip,
Swizzle Stick, Swing Blade)

Wire Cutters:Various pliers-like tools, some with
cutting blades only, some with cutting and gripping
blades – such as needle-nose pliers or fencing pliers
– are used for cutting wire and wire mesh in the con-
struction of protective tree cages, barrier fences, etc.

Tools for Pounding and Hammering

Hammers:A variety of hammers may be used on proj-
ects. Sledgehammers or “double jacks” should be used
carefully. They are used to drive spikes or to break
rocks or concrete. Carry sledges by your side, by grip-
ping the handle near the head. Nail or claw hammers
have heads with heat-treated steel faces for driving
nails, and claws on the other end for pulling nails.
Three and four pound sledges (“single jacks”) are used
with a rock chisel for shaping stone. Carry the hammer
by gripping it near the head, holding the tool away
from your body as you walk. Protective glasses must
be worn when using hammers, especially a sledge
with a chisel. Claw hammers are for driving nails only
and should never be used with a rock chisel.

Rubber Mallet: A short handled hammer with a large
diameter, hard rubber head used for driving the wire
staples that hold erosion matting in place. Fist-sized
rocks are a good substitute if they are available.

Single-Jack Hammer: A short handled hammer with a
3 to 4 pound head. Can be used alone to drive timber
spikes, or with a star drill to punch holes in rock.

Sledgehammer:A long handled heavy hammer with a
6- to 8-pound head, usually held with both hands.

Star Drill:A foot-long tool, weighing about a pound,
used with a single-jack hammer to punch holes in rock
or open a seam/crack. Chisel end is star shaped.

Tools for Lifting and Hauling

Austin Rock Sling:An Austin rock sling is a carrying
device made of steel chain configured in a web pattern
with rope or steel ring handles. It is generally used to
transport large rock for use in walls or other structures.
Several Austins used together can be utilized to move
large logs and beams for bridges or turnpikes.

Brewery Blanket:A brewery blanket is a heavy nylon
blanket generally 6 to 8 feet square and originally used
in the filtering process at a brewery. It is useful for
transporting duff, soil, and rocks. For heavy loads, a
brewery blanket can be knotted at the corners or a golf
ball sized rock wrapped in each corner of the blanket
to provide the volunteers with a better handhold.

Buckets:Usually a five-gallon plastic container with a
heavy wire handle (bail) useful for transporting soil,
duff, and small hand tools.

Cable, Wire:A thick, heavy rope, made of wire strands.

Cable Gripper:A device that clamps onto a cable when
tension is applied to the attachment point.

Cable Rigging:Cable works and hoists used to lift and
move large, heavy rock or logs.

Cable Strap:A pre-cut length of wire rope (that may
have eyes on both ends), that is used in rigging appli-
cations.

Cant Hooks and Peaveys:Cant hooks and peaveys
afford leverage for moving or rotating logs. To roll a
heavy log, use a series of short bites with the hook and
maintain your progress by quickly resetting it. Catch
the log with the hook hanging on top of the log. Rotate
the log using the leverage of the handle, working the
tool like a ratchet. Moving large logs may require sev-
eral hooks working together. Avoid taking large bites;
a heavy log will roll back and pin the handle before
the hook can be reset.

Canvas Bags:The canvas bag or coal sack is a large
heavy canvas tote bag with two handles that can be
used to carry large volumes of light material such as
duff, needles, or leaves. It has the same capacity as
about two full buckets.

Clevis:A U-shaped metal piece with holes in each end
through which a pin or bolt is run. Used to attach two
objects together. (Shackle)

Griphoist:A brand name for a manually operated hoist
that pulls in a cable at one end and expels it from the
other end; used to move rock or timber needed for trail
structures.

Hay Hooks:Also called “bale hooks,” are sturdy steel
hooks equipped with D-handles that are designed to be
slammed into bales of hay or straw, providing a grip
for dragging or lifting them. Hay hooks are also used
to grip the mesh or handles of wire baskets enclosing
the burlapped root balls of B&B trees to aid in moving
and positioning them.

J-Straps:Nylon loop straps attached to a shoulder pad
are used to carry rock bars comfortably by transferring
the weight to a shoulder.

Log Carriers:Log carriers enable teams of workers to
move logs. The tool hooks the log, allowing persons
on either side of the handle to drag it. Several carriers
could allow four or more persons to carry a large log.

Ratchet Winches or Come-Alongs:Hand operated
winch. Ratchet winches (also called come-alongs) are
useful for pulling stumps and for moving large rocks
and logs. These winches offer mechanical advantage
– the Grip Hoist is a specialized winching system that
provides a mechanical advantage of 30:1 or more.

Rope:A large stout cord of strands of fibers or wire
twisted or braided together.
• Working End: The end of the rope being used at the
time to tie a knot.
• Standing Part: The part of the rope not being used at
the moment.
• Bight: Acurve or bend in the rope. This is usually a
loop through which the working
end is passed.

Skyline:Rigging system with a highline by which a
load is moved via a pulley, pulled by a separate rope.

Slackline:Rigging system with a highline, which is
lowered to pick up a load, then tightened to move the
load.

Snatch Block:Pulley with hinged side plate allowing
attachment anywhere along a fixed rope.

Sod Stretcher:A carrying device similar to a medi-
cal stretcher, consisting of a large rectangle of fabric
(usually a brewery blanket) with sleeves sewn into
its long sides to receive two rock bars or aluminum
pipes which serve as stiffeners and carrying handles.
The pipes are usually held apart by plywood spacers
slipped over the pipes at the ends of the blanket. Sod
stretchers are used to carry chunks of sod, plant plugs
and small tree plugs that are being harvested or trans-
planted.

Tumpline:A strap slung over the forehead, to anchor a
backpack.

Wheelbarrows:Wheeled tub used to transport loose
materials.

Winch:Applicable to a broad array of devices that use
a drum, driven by a handle and gears, around which a
cable is wound, to provide mechanical advantage for
moving heavy objects.

Wire Cable:A thick, heavy rope made of wire strands.

Zipline:Rigging system with a taut, stationary wire
rope highline for moving loads on a movable pulley.

Tools for Chopping and Grubbing

Adze Hoe:The modern adze hoe has a forged steel
head with a large, almost flat blade set at a 90-angle to
a three foot wooden or fiberglass handle. The head is
“friction fitted” to a bent “adze style” handle. You use
an adze hoe to chip or break up clumps of soil when
constructing new trail or outsloping an existing tread.

Axes:Axes are of two basic types – single or double
bit. Single-bit axes have a cutting edge opposite a flat
face. Double-bit axes have two symmetrically opposed
cutting edges. One edge is maintained at razor sharp-
ness and the other is usually somewhat duller as result
of chopping around rocks or dirt.

Cutter Mattock:A cutter mattock has a broad mattock
blade, but also a short stout axe or cutter blade in place
of the pick point.

Fire Rake:A tool with triangular tines used to cut duff
and debris from firebreaks or trail
corridors.

McLeods:The McLeod combines a heavy-duty rake
with a large, sturdy hoe. The hoe edge of the McLeod
is about 9 3⁄4 inches wide and the head is 11 inches at
its widest point. The head can be used for tamping soil
or crusher fines. The McLeod is also useful as a slope
gauge. When planted standing upright on a trail tread,
the tilt of the handle will indicate the slope of the
tread. You can clearly see whether the trail is insloped
or outsloped.

Pick Mattock:A pick mattock has a broad adze or mat-
tock blade instead of the clay point. The mattock blade
is good for working in most soils and may be used to
cut roots or chop clumps of grass.

Railroad Pick:The modern railroad pick is a heavy
digging tool with a stout forged steel- head. The head
has an “eye” or socket for a handle and two points.
The “chisel” or “clay” point is flat and used to work
hard packed clay soil. The point is tapered and is a
good tool to use for general digging in rocky soil.

Pulaskis:The Pulaski combines an axe and an adze
hoe in one multi-purpose tool. The tool is named for
Edward Pulaski, circa 1910, a Forest Service Ranger
and part-time black- smith. He developed the tool
especially for firefighting purposes.

Rakes:Lightweight rakes are usually used for smooth-
ing and leveling surfaces, for spread-ing and seeding.

Tools for Digging, Scooping and Planting

Auger, Soil Auger: T-shaped tool with a spiral tip for
turning into soil to probe its content.

Auger, Power Auger:Consists of a vertical shaft with
a spiral tip for digging into the soil, and a small motor
mounted on the top of the shaft for turning it. These
are used by some agencies to dig planting and fence-
post holes in non-wilderness settings. Various models
may be operated by one or by two or more people.

Dibble:Essentially a tapering, pointed stick used to
open a hole for small plants (e.g. grass plugs) by
thrusting the point into the soil and moving the handle
with a circular motion to enlarge the diameter of the
hole. Dibbles may be long or short, thin or thick,
wood or metal, and may be equipped with a cross-
piece to grip on the handle. They are frequently used
in wetland restoration for planting plugs of grasses or
sedges.

Digging-Tamping Bar:A long bar with a small blade at
one end for loosening compacted or rocky soil and a
flattened end for tamping.

Planting Bar:A heavy steel tool consisting of a three
foot rod-steel handle tipped with a steel wedge that has
a foot plate projecting from one side, near the ground.
The wedge is stepped into the ground with foot pres-
sure applied to the foot plate and the handle is pushed
away from the user to open a hole to receive a small
plant, such as a tree seedling or grass plug. Perhaps
best used with one person opening holes and a partner
installing the plants.

Posthole Digger:Consists of a hinged pair of clam-like
blades attached to long handles. Spreading the handles
apart causes the blades to close, making it possible to
grip and remove pre-loosened soil from a narrow hole.
Occasionally used to dig signpost, fence- post and
small planting holes.

Rockbars:Mild steel bars, 6 feet long and designed
with a chisel tip for loosening dirt or prying rocks and
a pointed end for prying or a tamping end for com-
pacting soil.

Sharpshooter:Ashort handled spade with a D-grip and
a long, narrow, round-tipped blade which is useful for
digging and lifting transplants and for cleaning soil out
of trenches.

Shovels:Shovel blades are either square-edged for
scooping (good for piles of loose mate- rial) or pointed
for digging in soft or pre-loosened soil, with either a
wooden or fiberglass handle that can vary from three
feet to five feet long.

Trowel:Asmall planting tool, usually a foot or less in
length, with a straight handle and shov- el-like blade.

Tools for Personal Protection

Clothing:Long sleeved shirts and long pants are
suggested clothing when working and may actually
be required by some agencies. Shorts are not recom-
mended.

Dust Masks:Dust masks can be used for some types of
rockwork and in extremely dusty conditions.

Ear Protection: Ear protection is needed when working
near most motorized equipment and working in any
environment with loud, repetitive noises such as chip-
ping rock with a manual jackhammer.

Footwear:Sturdy shoes or boots are preferred due to
the rugged terrain associated with trail or outdoor
work. They are necessary to protect the feet from
glancing tools, loose rock, dense vegetation, and cac-
tus and provide good footing when working.

Gaiters:Coverings that zip or snap around the ankles
and lower legs to keep debris and water out of your
boots. (Leggings, Puttees)

Gloves:Work gloves are necessary to protect the hands
from blisters, thorny brush, poison ivy, or any other
minor scratches associated with outdoor work. Gloves
also help with gripping tools.

Hardhat:Ahard shell worn on the head as protection
during trail work. Hardhats are an agency requirement
for many types of work, especially when working in
timber or when there is a chance of being hit on the
head and risk of head injury.

Safety Goggles or Glasses:Eye protection is important
for any type of work whether digging, cutting, sharp-
ening, sawing, chipping rock or for when there is a
chance of something getting into your eyes.

Safety Harness: Abody belt or strap usually made of
nylon, for use while working near steep drop-offs.
Must be of approved construction and design, and in
good repair, and attached to a secure anchor point with
carabiners and approved climbing rope.

Sheath:Protective covering made of leather or plastic
used to cover sharp blades of tools while in storage or
when the tools are transported.

“Tool Manager’s Handbook,” Revised April 7, 2008.