Shovel mechanics

[frizzen]

I've never run one.
Since you'll probably also use a cable drum to control the Boom, you should be able to use the stick Hoist and Slew to chew through all of the exposed face in reach, then lower the Boom and take another set of passes a couple times before you need to advance the machine.

It won't be quite as cool as having the stick wildly swinging around too, but also probably easier learning to dig with.