When is the McLeod preferred over the Pulaski?

• A. For clearing debris and smoothing soil after cutting; the rake edge helps sweep material and the hoe edge clears a path.
• B. For digging through rocky soil and making trenches
• C. For cutting large live trees
• D. For applying chemical treatments to soil

Answer: (A)

McLeod is designed for clearing debris and smoothing the ground after cutting, using its two edges in tandem. The rake edge sweeps away loose material, while the hoe edge helps shape and clear a path, producing a finished, even surface along the handline. This combination makes it the best tool when you’ve cut through brush and need to tidy up and blend the line into solid ground. The Pulaski, with its axe and hoe, excels at cutting through brush and roots and digging in tougher soil, but it isn’t as effective for finishing and smoothing a cleared area. Chemical treatments aren’t a typical task for these hand tools, so neither tool is intended for applying chemicals.