What pitchfork have you found to be the sturdiest?

I'm a powerlifter (i.e. 500 LBS deadlift), and have noticed that I need to restraighten the tines every few digs, and have been wondering which one you would recommend replacing it with. I know Ames has lifetime warranties, but have noticed that they're not really meant for someone incredibly strong. What have you found to be the best one for going at a reasonable pace without needing to restraighten the tines (it's for digging up plant roots).

Silage forks move 4-10x the amount of woodchips than a pitch fork. A shrimp fork is similar. Both moving silage and shrimp is done by pretty sturdy folk. My fork has moved hundreds of yards of chips, and was at least 20yrs old when my neighbor with back problems gave it to me. I think it is black locust and iron. Newer ones have lasted 5yrs so far being used by volunteers weekly at the public food forest I helped start….edit, just caught back end of post. Bulldog digging forks have served me well and are sold in the US through Red Pig tools, which are also great tools.

Hey Kevin. There are probably very few digging forks that can stand up to the tasks you are doing with the strength you can apply.

As an alternative, have a look at the Radius Root Slayer. I have one (bought on sale) -- these things are absolute tanks, seriously overbuilt. Might suit you.

I'm old and weak and pretty useless, but even I wouldn't attempt to dig with a pitchfork - if the tines don't bend then the handle will break.

The secret is to choose a proper digging fork and learn to use it in such a way that skill does more than strength.

For digging up roots i use an all metal heavy duty spade with a tiny 4 inch blade and step-on. I remove the dirt and then identify if i can cut the root with a battery powered, jig-saw with extra long blade or use the battery powered scrubsaw with an f-ed up blade. Depending on the rootsize. But wherever i can i just let roots die down in the soil as they form deep mulch and pathways for new trees to colonize quickly.