A pneumatic excavator configured to be pneumatically actuated includes an actuator; a flow valve fluidly coupled to the actuator an air actuation conduit; and a barrel coupled to an egress of the flow valve, where the barrel defines an outlet of the pneumatic excavator. Actuating the actuator causes compressed air to be transmitted from the actuator through the an air actuation conduit to a first port of the flow valve to open the flow valve and compressed air from a supply of compressed air passes through the flow valve and the outlet of the pneumatic excavator. Releasing the actuator causes the compressed air to be transmitted from the actuator through the at least one air actuation conduit to a second port of the flow valve to cause the flow valve to close and the flow valve prevents the compressed air from the supply of compressed air from passing therethrough.