Your snow shovel probably lifts such huge loads that's what's killing you. Get a pitchfork or a digging fork and shovel smaller bunches. It might take a little longer, but you won't pull your shoulders out of the sockets doing it. Also, the smaller stuff can fall back through the tines and into the pile to be shovelled on top later or sifted out to be used right away.

And by the way, those pine needles may take a long time to break down, but you don't have to wait for them. Go ahead and use them whole because they make pretty mulch and the acid loving plants will benefit. Cheryl

A pitch-fork is my favorite tool - they come in a variety of sizes and with differnt numbers of tines. Find one that feels comfortable and is an appropriate size for lifting heavy material (i.e. not so big as to force you to work too much).

Oh yeah, wear leather gloves.

I use a cordless drill with a bulb auger.

I use a 10 tine pitchfork. It is hard work for me, but it always makes me feel good afterward, my own kind of "runner's high" I guess.

Karen

Any kind of fork is better than a shovel, there is no resistance. You can plunge the tines into any part of the pile to grab as much or as little as you can toss. I use a manure fork, it's perfect, probably has 10 tines. A snow scoop works well to skim dry chopped leaves off the driveway.

I use my garden claw it won't realy turn it but it will let some air in.

I think my tractor has all these other tools beat. :) But I use a pitch fork as well.

Mine looks just like that compost fork at Lee Valley. I bought it at Home Depot for a fraction of that cost, though I don't remember exactly how much. Lee Valley's might last longer, but mine will probably last as long as I'll be flipping compost.

Karen

I once used my Boykin Spaniel to turn and mix a large pile that was not enclosed. This dog LOVES fetching a tennis ball. I let her watch me bury the ball in the bottom of the pile by poking a shovel handle down the middle and making a hole, sticking my arm in the hole and placing the tennis ball deep in the middle. I covered the hole, stood back and said "Lucy, FETCH!" She dug and raked for 15 or 20 minutes and came out with the ball. My pile was mixed pretty well.

My vote is for my 5 tin pitch fork that my wife got me at a yard sale for $3 four years ago. I use it to turn in regulary. Time to time I use the shovel for a deep turning.

If turning was a problem, I'ld pile and dig out the compost from the bottom.

Mantis Garden Tiller works great for turning over a compost pile. I just used my Mantis for turning over my compost pile of horse manure this past weekend. It worked really great and quickly. After I finished turning it over, I must of put down 20 wheel barrows of the compost on my garden.

Alan--I love the story, but even though my compost is in a bin I have to create a barrier of tools around it to keep my dog out. I'd be worried about the dog eating something that it shouldn't (something this one seems to think is a good idea).

Best tool for compost, patients.
I don't turn my compost so I have to wait longer for it.

As for tools for loading that compost into the cart of barrow, pitchfork. Same pitchfork (both of ours are long handle, 4 round tine versions, perhaps manure or hay forks of some kind) I use for moving mulch around and it is great for loading mulch into the garden cart. Also great for unloading a trailer full of mushroom compost.

I use a spading fork (or potato fork, if you prefer). Always a good aerobic workout for me and the compost pile. Mind you, the pile would be okay without it, but I'm much better off having done it.

tj

The problem with most forks is their weight. Look for a light one as you are lifting the weight of the fork with every fork full of compost. We found one at an estate sale of a 104 years old lady moving into a care facility. From the days of pithing hay it is light weight with an exceptionally long handle. Almost a joy to use. Al

I think a fork is best. I used to use a 6 tined fork. I now use a front loader on my tractor. Works real well. :)

I have a compost crank I received by going to a composting class sponsored by my county.

I agree with the front end loader... Use a Kubota.
{{gwi:24456}}

I use the drill/bulb auger, and sometimes an 8 ft long steel pry bar as a lever, with some big chunks of firewood as a fulcrum. Must confess that patience is winning the process these days, with 2 year old piles.

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=45133&cat=2,33140&ap=1

this look very promising
I'm thinking about ordering .
Pricey a little

I have used the Majic Lift. It is a universal attachment with angle and leverage changing capacity. Simply attach to a shovel, snow shovel or pitchfork set the angle and save your back. After insertion into the soil, sod or snow simply press down on the garden tool handle to loosen the resistance of sod, roots, rocks etc. This eliminates the need to use force to break the resistance with lifting. The Majic Lift prevents the straining and injury to the lower back, shoulders, neck and cardiovascular system. It reduces the amount of energy and time needed to do a task!

Inventor: Frank Amato Jr., frnkamato@aol.com

macheske- now you're just bragging! ;) Actually, I like a fork, an auger type thing that is attached to a cordless drill or just the basic garden weasel! All work well! Nancy

If one has several thousand dollars laying around a front end loader might be an option, but for most of us a manure fork is the more affordable option, although a hay fork or a spading fork could also work.

kimmq is kimmsr

alan8 that is the best idea ever! my chocolate lab will love it and so will my arms and back!!