I have wanted a Broadfork since I read Eliot Coleman’s book ‘The New Organic Grower‘. References to the use of a broadfork in ‘How to Grow More Vegetables‘, by John Jeavons, and
other books, only reinforced that desire. As usual I did a bit of research into broadforks beforehand. I discovered that the broadfork used to be called a Grelinette, named after the inventor. If you do a search for Grelinette you can see a whole series of French images for a broadfork. The broadfork is also known as a U bar in the USA. I came across this broadfork as part of my research. It looked ideal, but when I chatted to them about shipping to the UK an already expensive tool became unaffordable. My next attempt was to chat to an agricultural engineer who lives in my village. If you’ve looked at the last link the tool looks like the tines may be from an agricultural machine. That would have made construction pretty easy, but we couldn’t identify anything that might work. My final attempt was to ask amongst a group of permaculturalists if they knew of anybody who might be able to make one for me, and Matt offerred to try. The picture above shows the first of two models that he made. What is brilliant about both of the tools is that they are both made from recycled materials. When I went to collect it his workshop was amazing. I’m not much of a ‘metal’ person, but even I was excited by the place. Sometimes you can see somebody’s passion in a place, and this was a good example.
Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design
As Matt might be using this design as part of his Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, I am going to provide some feedback for him, so that he can refine the design. So this post is performing more than one function. Telling you about my broadfork, providing feedback for Matt, and able to act as a link for him so that he can refer to it in his own design. Every Element should perform more than One Function, a Permaculture Principle. By making this tool for me, Matt gets another design to use for his diploma portfolio. He is able to demonstrate symetry, both giving and receiving support from the wider permaculture network. If he publishes his designs online that will be further enhanced. If he incorporates my feedback into his design he is also demonstrating the use of the permaculture principle Apply Self Regulation and Accept Feedback.
Broadfork One Review
My first impression of the broadfork was that it was huge. The picture above and below show it next to a full sized door. That’s a full sized shovel on the right.
Broadfork Ergonomics
With the tines at the bottom, the height of the broadfork is about seven feet tall. It is wide enough for me to stand inside it, which makes it easier to use. The dimensions and construction material make it a little awkward to lug about. That may be important for somebody working away from home, like an alllotment, but for me the distances are quite small.
The side view of the broadfork shows how the tines point forward. This is so that when the tines are inserted into the ground, the handles are leaning forward. This allows more leverage when using the tool. If you’re still confused about how it;s used this broadfork video link will help. Matt has made the broadfork tines from bars. These are flat, not shaped, and are cut at an angle at the bottom to help the tines penetrate the soil. The curved metal is to reinforce the joint, but I will refer to that later.
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The Broadfork in Use
To test the broadfork I chose the worst patch of soil that I have. It’s the future site of my polytunnel, and has been covered in carpet for a year, weeded twice (not since August last year), no organic matter added, and walked over. The clay soil has compacted and is pretty solid. The only way I could have made it any harder would have been to try the broadfork in grass.
Broadfork Weight and Dimensions
The weight proved no problem. In fact it helped to get the tool into the ground. I found the curved reinforcing ‘bits’ useful as handles, to drive the tool into the ground before standing on it. Useful for people like me whose hip joints reduce flexibility. (I can’t step up too high).
The handles were perhaps eight inches (20cm) too long. This gives extra leverage but shortening them would help to drop the weight a little. The picture showing the tool from the side shows that matt has angled some hand grips backwards, at the top of the handles. That seemed like a good idea, but in use it became apparent that they would have been better angled forward, or left straight. As they are, when the broadfork is pulled back, they force the wrists into an uncomfortable position. The width was fine.
Broadfork Results
The broadfork was quite difficult to get into the ground, although that was not the case throughout the test strip that I aerated. The penetration was much easier where I had burnt wood a few weeks earlier. I posted about this in an earlier post, Observe and Interact part two. As the heat would not have changed the soil to such a depth, I can only guess that the alkilinity of the wood ash was responsible. This is an observation that needs a bit more attention, and reflects what I’ve read recently in The Intelligent Gardener, by Steve Solomon. (I hadn’t read it at the time).
The picture to the left shows the results, and the state of the surrounding soil. The soil tended to be lifted in a block rather than just aerated vertically. This may be a result of the stickiness of the soil, but may be due to the shape and spacing of the tines.
Suggestions for Improvement
I think that the materials of the handle and frame are fine. Not too heavy for me, and anything less sturdy might have struggled to cope. For me the handles were a bit too long, as mentioned earlier, and the hand grips would be better upright or bent forward. At the business end the tines need to penetrate better. Less of a problem in an improved soil, but for this job very important. Two suggestions. Grind the front edges to create a knife shape. This my be enough on it’s own. If not, reduce the tines/widen the spacing between them. This will reduce the likelihood of the soil lifting up in a block. Finally, having something lower down to to force the broafork into the ground was a real bonus. Anatomically it shifted the work further away from the biceps to the ‘lats’ and ‘delts’, and put the arms into a more comfortable position. If the tool doesn’t need the lower joint reinforced, a pair of handles positioned so that when the broadfork is fully into the ground, they are level with the hands with the arms hanging straight down would be really useful. If they were removeable that might be an idea to persue.
Final Thoughts
I’m really pleased with the broadfork. It’s designed for use on ‘the flat’, rather than for raised beds, but that suits my future plans.
Thanks very much Matt, I’ll review the other soon.
I always think the broadforks which are offered for sale look flimsy, as though they wouldn’t last long with the sort of use they’d get on a medium sized market garden, which is what they’re intended for. This one, by contrast, looks tough enough for the real world.
Hi Patrick
It works on a really heavy soil. I’ll be giving it a thorough testing over the next few weeks.
He also made me a lighter version which would be useful for soils that were already in good nick.
All of the best
Deano
Nice looking broadfork, its on my list of tools for my no dig beds.
One of my favorite magazines “Mother earth news” mentions it a lot so i had a look and found these design plans that might be of use to help refine the design.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/do-it-yourself/broadfork-garden-tool-zmaz80mazraw.aspx#axzz2QXXtm0qG
mark
Thanks Mark
I’ve seen this before, but I’m not sure that the guy who made may fork has.
Deano
Hi Deano, did you know that the Blackberry Lane guys in Devon (quite near where you stayed in March I think) are stocking a broadfork made by a Sussex blacksmith to Eliot Coleman’s specifications. They try to supply things Eliot recommends like soil block makers too. Anyway I thought you might be interested and like to compare the ‘technical details’ with Matt’s version, and I would be interested in your opinion as I have not used one yet but have just the job for one on our new holding. It costs £185 and might be good for a toolshare scheme…..
Hi Teresa
The picture looked a bit flimsy compared to Matt’s version. I’m sure that for many jobs it would be fine, especially in areas already fully in cultivation. For tough jobs like mine I would hate to pay that sort of money, and then have the thing keep breaking on me.
Hope you’re well
Deano
Hi,
Thanks for the review of the broad fork. I was surprised to see no rake in the tines at all. Not concerned, just that I have looked at quite a few from the states but as you said they either are too expensive to ship or just won’t return my call. The one that I think will work the best for me is listed below.
This one I saw, that to me to be really solid, with taper cylindrical tines and a thin metal brace the ran down the spine of the tine to stop it bending too much. They were 5 tines wide too I believe. It was by the Valley Oak Tool Company but they don’t return my emails or calls.
This is the video about it http://youtu.be/2Q8509tork0
However, it didn’t have the rocker support on the back of the unit as your does. I have seen one that does have a similar support in a video on YT from a Dutch market gardener. It looks like it could really save your back and give superb leverage on virgin/clay/compacted soils.
I really do think however that the design above could be very robust and fine for use on virgin soil. Like the soil we have in Australia. I live in the UK right now. Moving back after being here for 17 years, at the end of this year, 2013.
I guess the “extras” are perhaps why it weights a bit more?? It’s a pity the rocker can’t me made from a lighter material. Or even make the rocker a bit shorter and compact to cut down on the weight. Using this for an acre or two might make it a bit more of a chore…??? Personally, I wouldn’t shorten the handles. I am nearly 6 foot tall. 🙂
What does the whole unit weight please?
Most of the ones I have seen online all say that they are for use on previously cultivated soil… not virgin soil.
So, all this being said… I wanted to write and just say a big congrats for designing your own with some great features and obvious benefits.
I like it, I like it a lot… 🙂
Cheers, David
Hi Dave
The tines of the larger fork are angled forward, but not curved. I’m not sure of the overall weight, but I would be surprised if it is less than 20 Kg. Luckily it is only lifted when moving backwards, so it’s not too much of a chore.
It works fine in unworked soil, but rubble does prevent it from being pushed into the ground easily. I have a lighter version which would work in cultivated ground.
It should get a full work out in the Autumn prior to sowing green manures, and then again in the Spring.
Good Luck with your own projects
DEano
Hey Bud,
Just a quick question about your garden preps before sowing.
Do you only use the Broadfork or to you also use a Rotary Spader or some other soil cultivation tool?
If only the broadfork, do you find it keeps the soil… Umm is friable the right word?
Thanks Deano… 🙂
The broadfork is new, so it hasn’t contributed much to friability. I use a fork. Our growing space is about a quarter acre, so doesn’t really justify any machinery. I use hand tools for pretty much everything, except my chainsaw.
As our grains are sown late Summer, as are garlic, onions and late green manures, soil prep is spread over two or three distinct periods, including early Spring crops, and the early Summer tender stuff.
Hope that helps.
Deano
Hi Deano,
Bit slow to see this post but I have been looking for a good broadfork in the UK recently. I seem to be having the same problem as others in that the only ones I can find don’t look quite up to the job on uncultivated, heavy soils. Does Matt take commissions to make others, would love to get in touch if with him if so, the finished article looks just what I would be looking for?
Also, as you have now had a good amount of time to fully evaluate it, how has it stood the test of time.
Thanks,
Liam
Hi liam
If you’re still looking I can ask matt on your behalf. let me know.
Thanks Deano, managed to get one commissioned from a blacksmith in Brighton, and should be picking it up soon, looking forward to it!
This is cool. I tried to build one myself, but in a different style from this. I am not the best welder, but I eventually got it all together (with cut-off wooden wheelbarrow handles) and it kind of worked until the welds holding my tines on broke. Recommend for anybody trying to DIY one, have your tines pass through your horizontal bar, or face the consequences.
Eventually, someone else gave me a new manufactured one that was a lot lighter. I’ve also worked with one that was even wider than what you’ve pictured above. Finally, my feeling about broadforks is that they work for certain things, but they are not so universally amazing and useful as I had hoped. Also, the really big ones are just a pain in the butt to haul around while working on a big property. In a lot of ways, I think a little $20 garden fork is actually a better investment…
I agree with some of what you say. I don’t have to move mine far, but it is a beast.
We’re just about to make our own broadfork as the ones available are a bit too pricey. Really appreciated this post of yours Deano, thanks!
Hen
No problems Hen
Did it work out OK