Reviews of our Bottom Digger cleanout tool
This tool is made to scoop and clean out the loose soil (spoil) left in the bottom of a trench after it is cut by a powered trencher. It uses a "pull and lift" action that is more ergonomic than the "push and lever up" action required by a typical trenching shovel.
● Click here for the details and pricing for the
Verified Customer Reviews
For most recent reviews, click here.
Well designed tool, the handle is very heavy, probably a bit sturdier than it needs to be, which makes lifting it out of the trench a little extra burdensome. It also seems to be somewhat stubborn when I try to empty the scoop, but that may just be my soil. So far the blade is 'kicking a$$ and taking names', and I have a lot of rocks! Overall, very happy. It has made a tiresome chore a little easier, and a lot faster.
Mike from AZ 5/15/2025
Rating = 4 / 5 See Review
Howie B. from USA 11/15/2024
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Haven't used it yet. Bought because of the hassle to get dirt out of trencher dug trench. This is the perfect size for that and is built very good.
BillM from TX 1/16/2024
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
The tool saved me an enormous amount of time. I had a 1000' trench that I need to clear to get below frost line. This tool easily saved me 10x the effort.
Patrick M. from WA 11/15/2023
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Great tool! Saved my a**. Best way to clean out a 7" wide, 4' deep ditch.
Sam from CO 11/15/2023
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Burkbuilds from GA 10/19/2023
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
The tools are very sturdy for sure! I'm not sure if it's the heaviness of the bottom digger shovel that made it difficult to use or not.
It could very well be that we didn't quite get the knack of using it yet? My daughter and I are both fairly short. We were unsure if
this was some of the difficulties we were having. The shovel became heavy after a only a short time of usage. We had trouble getting
the dirt/clay to drop out of the shovel also. The town we live in is know for it's clay.
I don't think this is a bad tool. I also think that it's harder to use than shown on your videos. Again, perhaps some of it is
operator error. We have more drainage ditches to dig(unfortunately). Hopefully we can have better luck. This is our first time
digging drainage ditches, so I'm not able to comment on previous experience. The sharpshooter shovel was easier to use. I found it useful.
Again, our version of having it look like your video , was not the same.
VTdiggers from VT 9/20/2023
Rating = 3 / 5 See Review
It is pretty awkward to use, maybe slightly better than a trenching shovel.
Gary from OR 8/15/2023
Rating = 1 / 5 See Review
Tony B. from SC 5/21/2023 11:58:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
The tool works well on loose soft soil. Anything hard it does not function well. The scoop part of the tool does not remove enough dirt. I purchased a Japanese hoe that is a much faster tool, for digging and it removes dirt faster. Thank you
Mike from TX 5/16/2023 3:31:00 PM
Rating = 3 / 5 See Review
I just wanted to write and say I ordered the Bottom Digger Shovel for my fiance and he loved it. He also wanted some extra blades but they were on backorder. I contacted EasyDigging and they let me know when they came in and I order some for him. He is very happy with the well made products and the quality of them. EasyDigging also has great customer service.
Terri from CA 2/16/2023 12:28:00 AM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Roland G. from TX 1/17/2023 8:33:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
The shovel is fine. 1 inch wider would be better in a 4' wide trench. The screws holding the blade in the shovel make it harder for the dirt to fall out. I suggest finding a better way to secure the blade without screws in the 'bucket' I added 'inches' marks to the handle. Makes it much easier to determine if I need to dig out more dirt. Used a marker for every two inches on both sides of the handle.
Springy S. from OR 10/14/2022 11:23:00 PM
Rating = 4 / 5 See Review
I found the bottom digger with the METAL HANDLE entirely too heavy. Now take into consideration I am a 77 yr old man in relatively good physical shape. The digger itself worked as it should.
James D. from TX 7/15/2022 9:17:00 PM
Rating = 2 / 5 See Review
I called to see if the bottom digger would do what I wanted. (Pull mud from under my boat lift.) The guy said he thought it would do the job and I thought so too. I bought it in January and never had a low enough tide until early March and when I tried it it would not penetrate the silt. I asked the procedure for returning it and was told my 30 days was over and it could not be returned. The 30 day return policy was not mentioned when I was buying it he just said it could be returned if I was not satisfied. The unit is still brand new with no scratches but is mine now. Thanks guys.
Harold L. from FL 3/9/2022 1:45:00 AM
Rating = 2 / 5 See Review
Tracy from IA 1/13/2022 6:12:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Kyle from IL 12/30/2021 4:22:00 PM
Rating = 4 / 5 See Review
The Bottom Digger Shovel is fantastic! And at 3 1/2" wide - it's the perfect size to clear dirt from the trench of a 4" wide Ditch Witch. I ordered the Bottom Digger Shovel to clean out a Ditch Witch trench 18 inches deep. While a Ditch Witch lifts out "most" of the dirt from a trench, I had some joints in the trenches and a Ditch Witch fills the previous trench as it cuts the next. That's tough to deal with. I never could have cleared 18 inches deep with a trenching shovel. With the bottom Digger I was not only able to clear the dirt to full depth, but was able to make a nice, smooth floor for the trench. Also worked great for my 6 inch deep irrigation lines. I don't begrudge the cost - worth every dollar. And it arrived quickly. My only tiny gripe - it was too hard to find this great tool with a web search! Hey EasyDigging.com - work on your search optimization! People like me need to find it ;) Great product! Congratulations!
Peter T from AZ 6/17/2021 8:39:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
I ordered the trench cleaning tool and would not recommend it for three reasons: 1) It is not ergonomically designed the handle should be longer and have some curvature to it to reduce back strain. 2) It is really heavy so pulling dirt from a trench is not easy at all. I would recommend making it with a fiberglass pole to reduce the weight. 3) The bucket is too narrow for most projects.
Jeff from WA 5/19/2021 4:10:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
I started digging trenches with a rented Ditch-Witch to install an underground sprinkler system in my Pecan orchard. I was doing this by myself and had over 6,000 feet of trenches. Trenchers don't always remove all of the dirt from the bottom of a trench, and dirt will fall back into, or be washed back into the trenches by rain, so it is necessary to remove residual dirt from the bottom by hand. First I purchased a special (narrow) trencher shovel at a Hardware store which physically nearly killed me trying to wrestle the dirt out of the trenches. I thought there must be a better way! I found the Easy Digging "Bottom Digger" on-line and thought this is what I visualized as something that should work. I thought that the person that invented and made this tool had been in my shoes before. I would not have been able to complete my project if I had not purchased the Bottom Digger. It will clean out dirt, muddy heavy clay soil, and even dip out water. Purchasing the Bottom Digger was a very wise investment for me. Also, I purchased a Grub Hoe from Easy Digging. The Grubbing Hoe is a real Hoe not a cheap toy. It works very good. I received my order within 3 days all well packaged including instruction sheets.
Rolan Henley from TX 5/19/2021 3:54:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
I ordered the easy digging trench clearing tool and unfortunately ran into some shipping issues with the US Mail saying they'd lost the shipment. Greg at EasyDigging was incredibly helpful and got another tool on the way to me the same day I called. Overall great customer service and a great tool that can't be found anywhere else!
Matt from IL 4/17/2021 4:15:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
They build Heavy duty tools .. built like the proverbial 'Brick SH*t House'.. costs more but is worth it if you want a quality tool. Tom B
Tom B from FL 2/17/2021 9:51:00 PM
Rating = 4 / 5 See Review
Made of good steel. Better than using a trenching shovel by far. Suggest that the company contact all rent-a-tool companies, to let them know what they have to offer.
Anonymous from UT 12/29/2020
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Tool does not work. I want a refund. The angle is terrible it is all wrong. Imagine a crane with the butt of the bucket going into the ground first. Someone cut a corner to save money on production. It does appear to be made of very strong material.
Joe from IL 12/27/2020
Rating = 2 / 5 See Review
Great product! Very easy to use website to order the product! Good demos on website! Keep up the good work!
John Senderak from OH 8/4/2020
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Great, sturdy tools. Built like tools used to be built. Exceptional customer service.
Paul Kilmer from OH 5/21/2020
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Great tool; well made. Fills a digging/excavation gap so well I wonder about not having seen one before now. Thanks
Art from USA 4/21/2020
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
I paid 89.00 for a ditch clean out tool, it would work great if I was using it in dry sand, I am in WV the ditch was wet, the tool does not work in wet dirt, just fills up and you have to dig it out, basically a great idea, but how many drain ditch's have dry sand in them, none around here. Perhaps if you put a steel flap inside to remove the mud, with a lever on outside it would work, digging mud out is a bigger pain so back to the drawing board. Not all novel ideas work.
Jack Elzner from WV 3/27/2019
Rating = 4 / 5 See Review
the shopping experience, delivery, and product quality all were excellent - I just wish I knew ahead of time that I would have to assemble the separate pieces that would be arriving... thought I was getting fully assembled products... maybe I overlooked this info on the website? It wasn't a showstopper, it just delayed my project a few days because I needed to set-up an assembly area to do the assembly correctly. Overall still very satisfied.
jim from NC 2/21/2019
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
I used the Bottom Digger in Florida dirt/sand. The sand caked up in the bucket and took quite an effort to remove each bucketful. I waxed the inside of the bucket and turned the screws around to put the nuts on the outside, opposite to that in the instructions, and it worked much better. Would have liked the scoop to be about an inch wider so it would also work for 4 inch PVC drain.
Richard from FL 2/20/2019
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
The product I received was good quality and works as needed. I recommend this tool to anyone that likes quality tools.
Daniel from CA 9/4/2018
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
Bought the Bottom Digger to help me dig a 33' long 5+ foot deep trench in a hard to reach area. I couldn't have done the job without the Bottom Digger. I had to fabricate a handle that held the head at a different angle for the bottom 2', but that was easy to do. A great tool; well made and exactly what I needed to complete the task.
Mike A from PA 8/20/2018 5:03:00 PM
Rating = 5 / 5 See Review
