Patent attributes
A method of removing a predetermined area and depth of formable material from an expanse of the formable material having a top surface. The method makes use of a volume indicating tool that includes a depth indicator that has a material surface indicator and a depth guide. The material surface indicator is at a height above the depth guide substantially equal to the predetermined depth. The volume indicating also includes an area indicator, indicating an area equal to the predetermined area. The volume indicating tool is pushed into the formable material until the material surface indicator is level with the top surface of the formable material, thereby pushing the depth guide to the predetermined depth. Then a shovel is pushed into the deformable material until it reaches the depth of the depth guide and is used to gather formable material. The shovel is emptied at a location away from the shovel guide tool. The shoveling process is continued until the area indicated by the area indicator is cleared of formable material down to the depth guide.
