Gulland Forge Broadforks

Broadforks are an old Northern European tool that have come to prominence again in the last 30 or so years as an excellent option for soil aeration/loosening, WITHOUT soil inversion OR lots of labor. They are intended to be used on garden soils that have previously been worked, such as “last year’s garden”, and Broadforking is typically done first thing in the Spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. However, many folks find they work very well for harvest as well, for root crops such as potatoes, carrots, etc. We are pleased to have forged (pun intended) a partnership with Larry Cooper, owner of Gulland Forge, producer of these completely hand-made broadforks, which we feel are the finest on the market. They are unique in that the round tines are forged to a continuous curve and have symmetrical forged points, both of which aid greatly in reducing friction during penetration into the soil.

Tennessee-made Ash wood handles are very strong, yet have enough “give” in them to be easier on your body. (The problem with steel-handled broadforks is that the steel DOES NOT GIVE…so all the shock-load of using the tool is transferred directly to your body, with no “cushioning” that natural wood provides. Steel handles also add a lot of weight!!) The handles have round sockets, which we directionally orient with the grain of the wood for maximum strength. Handles affixed tightly with stainless-steel lag bolts…no need to “wedge” the handles in place, like on lesser Broadforks. We tested these tools in our clay soils against the Johnny’s™ Broadforks, and we found the Gulland forks to be tougher and superior in design. (The Johnny’s™ fork had bent tines within an hour’s work…the Gulland fork is still working today, over 15 years later!! With the original set of handles, I might add) NOTE: Johnny’s™ claims 10.5” tines, but this is a misrepresentation…their tines only protrude about 9” below their frame, which means only 9” of soil penetration…the same as our “Standard” and “30” model. The addition of Reinforcement Gussets to our Broadforks means that even in super-heavy soils with roots or rocks, the tines will resist bending.

NEW FOR 2026! “Gulland 30” Model, made for 30” beds!! We got a lot of requests over the years for a broadfork wide enough to work 30” beds with “one pass”. Well, Larry at Gulland Forge delivered! One issue was that with the relatively heavy construction of the Gulland forks, the extra steel needed for the extra width frame and the 2 extra tines was going to make a fork this wide so heavy, no one would want to use it. Larry solved this problem by switching to a thinner-wall cross-bar made out of high-strength alloy, which got the weight down to an acceptable amount without sacrificing strength. Tine-to-tine width is 26”, so puts a tine nicely 2” in from each edge of a 30” bed.

PLEASE NOTE: A Broadfork is NOT a substitute for a “digging bar” or a pickaxe or mattock…if you are performing Initial Tillage [breaking sod] on heavy soils, or have large rocks/roots to pry out, a Broadfork is not the correct tool for immediate full-depth penetration. The Gusseted Broadforks can be used for Initial tillage, but it is recommended to only go to half-depth on the first “pass”, then go to full depth on a second “pass” over the bed.)

Testimonial from one of our customers for the Gulland Forge broadforks:

“We love our Gulland Forge broadfork that we purchased from Earth Tools! It has stood the test of time from when we first purchased it in 2014 to lift carrots on our Blasdell channery loam. We also use this fork for primary tillage in our established high tunnel beds. This tool has taken a lot of weather and use and it is still going strong! Last year we purchased 2 Johnny’s® brand broadforks to expand the number of people who can be lifting roots or performing primary tillage at once, but unfortunately the tines bent on both of them within the first week of use. We are excited to be returning to Earth tools to purchase 2 new Gulland broadforks which we know will perform well in our tough, rocky soil. Thanks, Earth Tools! –Lauren at Ironwood Farm, Women-owned farm in Ghent, NY

VIDEO: Broadfork comparison

For some videos on the proper use of these tools, check out Gulland Forge’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GullandForge

3 MODELS AVAILABLE:

“Standard” Model (not pictured)

• Overall height: 57”
• Overall Width: 21”, Tine Width: 17.5”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 9”
• Weight: 14.5 lbs (Gusseted tines for extra strength)
• Item BF 16

$235.00

(Click here for ordering info)

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“Big Bertha” Model

• Overall height: 59”
• Overall Width: 22.5”, Tine Width: 18.5”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 11.25”
• Weight: 16.2 lbs (Gusseted tines for extra strength)
• Item BF 18

$255.00

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NEW!! “Gulland 30” Model (made to work on 30” wide beds)

• Overall height: 57”
• Overall Width: 27”, Tine Width: 26”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 9.5”
• Weight: 18 lbs (Gusseted tines for extra strength)
• Item BF 30

$280.00

(Click here for ordering info)

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53543 - HEAVY SHW 3-Tine “Swing Fork”

This tool is also listed on our SHW Forks & Cultivators page, but it fits into this category, so it deserves a mention here too. Intended for heavy soil-breaking work…very much like a Broadfork or Digging Fork that you SWING rather than push or thrust into the soil. Forged head with 9” tines. Ash handle is curved for excellent comfort and ergonomics, PLUS the handle & head are both gusseted at the top for maximum strength. One customer praised this tool as “The best thing he’s ever dug potatoes with!”

• Head: 7.5” wide x 9” long”
• Length: 48”
• Weight: 5 lbs
• Head shipped dis-mounted from handle

VIDEO: DEMO VIDEO (vs. Broadfork)

VIDEO: Tool head mounting

$89.00

(Click here for ordering info)

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Ammann Digging Fork (Switzerland)

Extremely unique design: the head is offset an inch behind the handle, for better tool ergonomics. This really does make it more comfortable to use! Tempered steel tines, nice long handle with oversized T-Grip at top that you can get two hands on. This is the strongest digging fork we have, due to the “I-beam” style attachment of the handle socket to the fork itself (the weak point in most digging forks!)

• Length: 51”
• Head: 7.5” x 11.5”
• Weight: 5 lbs
• Item EU1570

$84.00

(Click here for ordering info)

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Spear-Head Spades

These American-made shovels are unique in that they offer a narrow head for easy penetration, and a WIDE step, so the effort required for using these shovels is very low. Tempered High-carbon/Manganese steel heads, reinforced fiberglass handles with a UV-inhibitor for long life. VERY popular for women, because of their light weight and ease of use. (But don’t worry…Men can use them just fine, too!)

NEW FOR 2024: Spear Head “MINI”

Perfect for those jobs where you need to be on your hands & knees for close work (working with clumped Perennials comes to mind), but you need a digging shovel with enough strength and leverage to get 2 hands on. Enter the Spear Head Mini, which has the tough construction of the larger Spear Head Spades but is only 30” long and weighs 2 lbs.

• Head Length: 8”
• Head Width: 6”
• 30” long
• weight 2 lbs.

$37.00

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SH Spade-D (with D-grip handle)

• Head Length: 11”
• Head Width: (widest point BELOW step): 6”
• Total Width (Including Steps): 9”
• 41” long, weight 3.4 lbs.
• COLORS MAY VARY!!

$48.00

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SH Spade-L (long straight handle)

• Head Length: 11”
• Head Width: (widest point BELOW step): 6”
• Total Width (Including Steps): 9”
• 59” long, weight 3.8 lbs.

$50.00

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