The Troop Tool is the primary tool for use on fires in the Temperate Western Coniferous forests and the Eastern Deciduous forests. The full-sized shovel blade has a smooth push-button mechanism that instantly changes and locks the blade into three angles for digging/throwing dirt, scraping line, raking line and chinking/mixing/mop-up. The tool can also used as a safety staff for firefighters for cross- country travel on steep and uneven ground.
The tool combines features of the traditional military trenching shovel and the McLeod/Council rake. The composite steel shovel blade is attached to an exceptionally strong 1-inch diameter aluminum rod and female fitting that snap-locks onto the Dragonslayers Universal Handle (sold separately) The 24-in long tool head stows flat for travel.
Tool Features (with the Universal Handle, sold separately):
- Combination tool used as an angled shovel (30-degree blade set) for digging and throwing dirt, with a push button to change and lock angles.
- The 90-degree blade set forms a better curved McLeod, for scraping line.
- The 90-degree blade set, where the point of the shovel blade strikes the ground first make it a perfect, stand erect mixing, chinking, mop-up tool.
- The tool can be a great safety staff and stable walking stick when the blade is folded back against its staff. The firefighter can drag the tool when descending steep ground, with the back of the blade serves as a braking mechanism.
- The tool folds flat and compact for transport in any vehicle, plus the Universal Handle always snap-locks off the tool to accept another tool head option such as the Magnum Pulaski or Dragon Swatter.
Many Hotshot crews are using this tool. It can hold up for as many fire seasons and then be refurbished with a new shovel blade [link to Warranty and Refurbishment].