The Sweet Spot for Shovels

Over the years, I have found that there is a “sweet spot” to remove shovels from the chains. One still must use care not to not push the chain too far. If you go too far the shovels below the one you are trying to remove will drop off their pins. Shovels falling like this can break off the pin on the opposite side.

I position the shovel as shown in the photo. I carefully push the chain outward just enough to remove the shovel from the pin. This measurement can vary depending on chain stretch.