Shaft attachment for the shovels

An important element in a shovel is the shaft attachment - the so-called socket, which is sometimes also called a grommet.

There are several types of socket, which differ e.g. in shape, size and processing and have an influence on the stability of the shovel.

For some tasks, a high resilience is very important - for others, the low weight of the tool is crucial. It is important to find the best compromise - the more resilient an element is, the heavier it will be.

Shovel socket type

The type of socket differs in shape and processing and depends on the used material.

Schaufel mit einer auf stoß geschweissten Dülle

Socket welded on butt

socket and blade made of one piece
socket encloses the shaft
shaft is fixed with a nail
Slotted hole for easy readjustment in case of wood shrinkage

Features:

high durability
hohe stability
simple shaft exchange
relatively high weight

Schaufel mit einer überlappend geschweissten Dülle

Overlapped riveted socket

socket and blade made of one piece
double material thickness in the overlapping area
shaft is fixed with a nail
Slotted hole for easy readjustment in case of wood shrinkage

Features:

high durability
hohe stability
simple shaft exchange
relatively high weight

Spring socket welded on butt

forged shovel blade
socket and blade made of one piece
socket enclosed shaft
shaft is fixed with two nails
2 slotted holes for easy readjustment in case of wood shrinkage

Features:

very high durability
very high stability
easy shaft exchange
high weight

Gooseneck socket

Socket and blade made of one piece
Socket encloses the shaft
Shaft is fixed by lateral 1-fold riveting

Features:

high stability
relatively high weight
low resilience
craftsmanship is necessary when replacing the shaft

Socket 6-fold riveted

is only available for light metal blades
blade consists of 2 parts and is riveted 6 times
socket encloses the shaft
shaft is fixed with a nail
slotted hole for easy readjustment in case of wood shrinkage

Features:

high resilience
relatively high stability
very light weight
easy shaft exchange

Socket reinforcement

The highest stress in a shovel is at the connection between the shovel blade and the socket ( shaft attachment).

To increase the resilience of a shovel, the whole shovel blade can be made of thicker material. However, this would significantly increase the total weight of the shovel.

Therefore, the blade is partially reinforced or bent to achieve greater stability.

Schaufel mit Schwerlastdülle – breite Verformung (Sicke) an der Blatt-Vorderseite

Heavy duty socket – rib

approx. 3 cm long and 5 mm wide deformation ( rib) on the front side of the blade
rib stiffens the connection between the blade and the socket
very high resilience

Schaufel mit Düllenverstärkung - einem Verstärkungsblech an der Blatt-Rückseite

Socket reinforcement

additionally welded reinforcement plate on the back side of the blade
reinforces the connection between the blade and the socket
very high resilience

Shovel blade lift

The blade lift describes the angle of inclination between the blade and the shaft and is very important for the intended use and handling.

¾ blade lift

For long shafts:

normal blade lift
45° inclination angle

optimal for picking up material from the floor in an upright and back-friendly position

½ blade lift

For shorter shafts

flat blade lift
30° Inclination angle

very good power transmission
ideal for excavations
for working in narrow areas e.g. in a shaft
ideal for picking up material from an raised working surface, e.g. from a lorry bed

¼ blade lift

For shorter shafts:

flat blade lift
30° Inclination angle

very good power transmission
ideal for excavations
can be used similar to a spade
for working in narrow areas e.g. in a shaft
ideal for picking up material from an raised working surface, e.g. from a lorry bed

To the shovel models