Gear
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I don’t often get excited about shovels because they usually mean bloody hard work, but I recently encountered a brand that may change the way we think about recovery gear.
The inventor of this American-made DMOS shovel is Susan Pieper, a mum who in 2015 watched her son break shovel after shovel while making ski jumps in their backyard. After many years of persistence and kickstarter campaigns, the first tool was launched.
Now, many years later, DMOS has grown and is available in many countries. The idea behind the brand was to build extremely lightweight but strong bits of gear that were designed for people who work and play in demanding conditions. I chose the Delta shovel (to us Aussies it’s more like a V-nose spade)m as well as the Stealth shovel with mounting kit.
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The multi-use heavy-duty Delta shovel weighs in at 2.5kg. It has a premium 12-grade steel blade and the handle is made from aircraft-grade alloy and extends out to 1000mm. The unique patented multi-adjustable connector on the head can quickly turn the shovel into a hoe so you can dig trenches or drag mud and rocks out of the way.
The Delta is the result of more than a hundred prototypes and it features the ideal strength-to-weight ratio, versatility, quality and portability for a multitude of uses. It’s also covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
The award-winning Stealth shovel is an amazing piece of gear that folds to a very compact size to fit into its mounting bracket. Made from 6061 aluminium, the head is 400mm wide and can act as a rake, snow or sand shovel. The handle is fully adjustable out to 1370mm so it works if you’re standing up, or you can compress the handle to dig under your vehicle. It weighs in at just under 1.5kg.
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The Stealth mount is made from premium aluminium and it has pre-drilled holes and slots to securely mount to multiple applications. It is also extremely light at just under 1kg. The kit comes with mounting hardware plates, stainless lock-nuts and hex bolts, and is fully lockable to keep sticky fingers away.
I headed down to my local beach to try out the DMOS shovels in the sand, and I came away impressed with just how easy it was to use the Stealth digging sand out from under my 80 Series Cruiser. Extending the handle made it easier on my back and I could really scoop a stack of sand out. The Delta was equally impressive when digging out a deep trench in the soft sand.
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DMOS says it empowers people who are able to ‘Do My Own Sh*#’, and the company stands behind its products with support partnerships that include competitors in the Baja 1000, snow teams, serious off-road drivers, first responders, adventurers and hikers who take on harsh climates across the world.
Browsing the company’s website, you’ll see multiple variations of shovels plus the relevant mounting kits and also a range of clothing and 4WD gear.
RRP: $399(Delta); $349.95 (Delta Mount); $259 (Stealth)
