From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Fombell, PA

I am thinking about getting a broadfork. I don't own a tiller so rented one last season and my soil was hard a rock by mid season. My soil is mostly clay. Is the Bully Tool broadfork any good? The price is right and it's made in the USA.

http://www.bullytoolsonline.com/p2299315/Broadfork.-Fiberglass-Handles.-7-1/2in-steel-tines,-detachable-handles./product_info.html

3/1/2014 11:04:44 AM

South Hero, VT

I bought the USA made, lifetime guarantee Vashon Broadfork 2 years ago and don't regret it. I have really heavy clay in my soil, so I got the 16 inch version.

Check out the website. http://meadowcreature.com/broadforks/

3/1/2014 7:12:55 PM

Fombell, PA

Steve thanks for the link. I checked it out and will hold off on the bully and get the Vashon. Is the 16 a beast to work with becasue I noticed they had a warning on the 16?

3/3/2014 2:13:11 PM

South Hero, VT

The 16 IS a beast to work with if you have a lot of clay in the soil. But it's the closest thing you can get to doing a double dig. Depending on the size of your patch and the tilth, you might want to have a broadfork party. The sucker weighs 25 Lbs, but feels heavier.

I plan to use it more this year to help keep the soil aerated later in the summer when the soil starts to get compacted. The four tines should not disturb surface roots too much if used carefully.

3/3/2014 3:56:57 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Do u actually flip the soil when using a broad fork or is it just for hammering it down say the 16 inches and breaking and clay base and aerating?

3/3/2014 4:03:49 PM

Glosta

you can do either Luke. mostly it is just aeration technique as this benfits the root system of plants. If you flip the soil you really have no idea what you can bring into the rootzone of plants. I had loam on sand and flipped the soil multple times incorperating the 2 together. Now i have much better drainage and therefore i seemed to have benefitted. but i also added peat, compost and leaves each year flipping that in as well. so now 14 inches deep my soil is the same, (theoretically).

3/3/2014 4:21:54 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks Bry

3/3/2014 4:39:45 PM

Buffalo, New York

I have one....tough work.

3/3/2014 4:40:20 PM

South East

agree with Jeremy, tough work and not a great idea for bigger surface areas. Back breaking work.

3/3/2014 7:03:32 PM

Glosta

i've done 5000 sq feet multiple times yes it is back breaking work but if you get a good rythem down it can be an intense workout. Just watch out for rocks. I took a handle to the brow and got stitches above my right eye.

3/3/2014 7:56:16 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

Love my Broadfork. I love getting in a good rythem and just giving er. I also use it lightly around the plant and where I moved walking boards from and squirt my vine burying mix into the 16" deep holes the fork leaves.

3/4/2014 9:11:04 PM

Preston CT

I have the Bully Tools Fork. At first I snapped both wooden handles. Customer service is great and they sent out the fiber glass ones. Now I will have one of the forks bend back once and a while so I will have to stop and bend back the fork. Once the soil gets a good tilth this should not be a problem. Just not the best fork out there. Spend more money and get a strong one. I jambed my toe once. It took 6 months for my new toe nail to reappear.....

3/7/2014 6:03:49 AM

Going Green

7 years ago I had seriously difficult clay. Pelletized gypsum at 200 pounds per 1000 square feet each year along with compost forked in in top 6-8 inches will save your back. Gypsum is 33 percent calcium as well and is vital for pumpkins and tomatoes. So my recommendations are buy 5 bags of Gypsum for $30 at Menards, cover soil 4-6 inches with manure and 3-4 compost and marry a woman with a rototiller!

3/8/2014 10:45:00 PM

Fombell, PA

Thanks for all the help. Pumpkin farmer you made me giggle. Good points by all.

3/9/2014 8:48:45 PM

Rapid City, SD

got from pumpkinengineer from right here in chat....the nicest one i have seem too

3/9/2014 9:37:27 PM

Rapid City, SD

here is a pic of it...
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=175982

3/9/2014 9:38:47 PM

Fombell, PA

Matt I ended up buying the Broadfork made by the PumpkinEngineer. He makes them custom and they are built like a tank. He can be reached at truck8mycash@aol.com

3/18/2014 9:36:04 AM

South Carolina

Thanks guys! I appreciate the kind words!

3/18/2014 12:07:03 PM

Hamilton - New Zealand

This is an interesting thread, never seen anything like this before, don't even know if anyone uses or sells them over here in NZ, but can see they would be handy for some of the tough soil I have here.

3/22/2014 3:35:27 AM