Have you been introduced to the Air-Spade? If not, where have you been?! Many people closely associate the tool with arboriculture, and rightly so – the Air-Spade 2000 is recognised as an industry standard for most horticulturists, landscapers and tree surgeons – but that barely scratches the surface of the capabilities of the Air-Spade. As versatile as it is niche, as precise as it is powerful, the Air-Spade is a tool of many talents. Let us explore…

Arboriculture and horticulture

This is perhaps the Air-Spade 2000’s most recognised habitat. Effective for use amongst trees and shrubs, its applications are numerous.

Because of the intricacy of the task, the 2000 is widely used for tree root inspection, given its ability to disperse soil without causing any damage to the tree itself.

Radial trenching and soil aeration are important processes for oxygenating and hydrating roots to allow for optimum tree growth and health. By emitting pressurised air into the ground, the Air-Spade is instrumental in soil decompaction, which allows for more direct water and air supply.

Got a bigger task? Try the Air-Spade 3000. The big brother of the 2000 is the most powerful tool on the market, making short work of shifting dirt.

Utilities, Construction and the Air-Spade 4000 .

Use of the Air-Spade is becoming increasingly common among utilities and construction companies. First and foremost, the industry has realised that using air is far safer when digging around dangerous or sensitive areas. It won’t damage pipes or cables and in most cases it is much quicker than conventional hand digging.

Such is the growing popularity of the Air-Spade within the construction and utilities industries, Air-Spade have launched the new Air-Spade 4000. The 4000 is specifically designed for use around utilities. Its components are made of brass, which is non-sparking. With the addition of a retractable stabiliser bar, it is now even easier to use for deep trenching.

There has been a recent surge in the employment of keyhole excavation methods, and the Air-Spade plays a leading part in the process. Keyhole excavation drastically reduces reinstatement time and costs as well as significantly reducing traffic caused by associated major road works. The keyhole method uses concrete coring to break the surface, before using Air-Spade and vacuum excavation to dig down to a utility. Once exposed, the utility can be repaired with specialist ‘top down’ tools.

For more information on the Air-Spade 4000 click here.

Remediation

The Air-Spade is supremely effective at digging in controlled layers, which can be useful in many situations, especially when remediating environmental contamination. Used alongside a vacuum excavator, this is the safest way of removing contamination without exposing the operator to hazardous materials.

De-mining

When it comes to de-mining, precision is vital. The option to change the nozzle size on an Air-Spade means the tool can be used at as little as 25cfm, meaning it allows the user to carefully and efficiently uncover buried land mines with pinpoint accuracy.

What else can the Air-Spade do?

Cleaning – Got a blockage? No problem! The Air-Spade can disperse blockages with ease, using a powerful dose of compressed air. From cleaning out animal feed silos to industrial sized factory tanks, the Air-Spade provides an effective solution to clogged-up apertures.

Art – Move aside impressionism, modern art is evolving. Artists are getting creative with compressed air and making masterpieces in landscapes. The earth is your canvas!

Are we missing something? Tell us how you use the Air-Spade here.

Tutex is the exclusive distributor of all Air-Spade products in the UK & Europe. We believe that in an industry, and indeed a world, where safety at work has never been more important, the Air-Spade is the future.

Save time, cut costs, reduce risks – To browse the full range of Air-Spades click here.