Abstract: A hand operated digging tool comprising a ground penetrating portion, such as a shovel, has a lever arm hingedly attached to the back of the shovel adjacent to where the shovel engages its handle. The lever arm is provided with an extension at right angles to it adjacent to the hinged portion so as to space the lever arm from the shovel when both the lever arm and the shovel are positioned on the ground in digging position and which will push the lever arm back into engagement with a holder on the back of the handle as the operator completes the shoveling step removing the shovel from the ground.