Gulland Forge Broadfork

Broadforks are an old Northern European tool that have recently come to prominence again 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 five 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 handles are affixed with stainless-steel lag bolts in large diameter round sockets…no having 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 even our Standard model (without Gussets) to be tougher and superior in design. (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 model.) The addition of Reinforcement Gussets to our two larger Broadforks means that even in super-heavy soils with roots or rocks, the tines will resist bending.

(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 (“Standard” model) 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, and this time we got the “gusseted” models for enhanced strength. Thanks, Earth Tools!

-Lauren at Ironwood Farm, Women-owned farm in Ghent, NY

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”

• Overall height: 57”
• Overall Width: 21”, Tine Width: 17.5”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 9”
• Weight: 15 lbs
• Item BF 15

$205.00

“Standard with Gussets” (not pictured)

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

$235.00

“Big Bertha”

• Overall height: 60”
• Overall Width: 22.5”, Tine Width: 18.5”
• True Tine Length (below frame): 11.25”
• Weight: 19 lbs (Gusseted tines for extra strength)
• Item BF 18

$255.00

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Gulland Forge “Badger” Lawn Aerator/Harvest fork

Built like a broadfork with short, stout, reinforced tines for doing major aerating of lawns. Can also be used as a harvest fork for rows of shallower-rooted crops like onions, garlic, etc.

• Overall height (with handles): 54”
• Overall width: 21”, Tine width: 17.5”
• Tine length: 5.5”, Weight: 14 lbs

Item #BF 13 Price: $150.00

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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.

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

VIDEO: Tool head mounting

$70.00

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Italian “Magna Grecia” Digging Hoe

Now here is a new concept:… A 2-pronged “Hoe” with LONG tines for deep soil-working. This tool is so different from most hoes, it is hard to even classify it as one… it’s more like a digging fork that you swing! Because of the physics of swinging a tool (rather than thrusting it) into the soil, this tool has some great advantages in terms of deep penetration with relatively minimal effort. The thing is so effective in its penetration, however, that a healthy dose of ‘tool sense’ is required on the part of the user: the tool CAN be damaged if you pry too hard!! The blade on the back is good for breaking up clumps. Hickory handle. Forged Head made by the Falci company in Italy. Using this tool to break small areas of sod, or for deep aeration of beds, is actually amazingly easy and effective if used properly! NOTE: The ones we have remaining in stock have WIDE tines that are about 1 inch wide all the way down (they do not “taper” like the ones in the picture) The tapered-tine version is no longer available.

VIDEO: Tool head mounting

• Tines: 10” long, 4” apart
• Blade: 2.5” x 5”
• Total length: 54”
• Total weight: 6 lbs
• Item FA 244-W

$50.00 – while supplies last

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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 wooden-handled fork we have…it withstood the acid test in our Sun-baked Kentucky lawn in the drought of Summer 2012, with our ex-NFL (no, I am not kidding!) sales manager Chris TRYING to break it!!

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

$74.00

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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!

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!!

$46.00

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.

$48.00