Browse compost turners for sale from Vermeer, SCARAB, Wildcat, Frontier, Brown Bear, Backhus, and more. A compost turner aerates and mixes windrows to speed up decomposition and produce a consistent finished product. GrinderCrusherScreen has been helping operators find the right composting equipment since 1973. Browse our inventory below or call 770-433-2670 for pricing and availability.

How Compost Turners Work

A compost turner drives through or alongside a windrow and uses a rotating drum, paddles, or flails to lift, mix, and re-form the material. Turning introduces oxygen into the pile, releases excess heat and moisture, and redistributes material from the outside of the windrow to the center. The result is faster decomposition, more uniform breakdown, and a higher-quality finished compost.

Compost turners handle:

• Yard waste and green waste:leaves, grass clippings, brush, and municipal organics
• Food waste:pre- and post-consumer organics at commercial composting facilities
• Manure:dairy, poultry, and livestock operations converting waste into sellable compost
• Biosolids:wastewater treatment byproducts processed through windrow composting
• Wood waste and bark:sawmill residuals and land clearing debris mixed into compost blends

Two Types of Compost Turners

Compost turners fall into two main categories based on how they move and interact with the windrow.

Elevated face compost turners are towed behind a tractor or prime mover. The turning drum sits at the front face of the machine and lifts material as the tractor drives alongside the windrow. These are the more affordable option and a good fit for operations that already have tractor horsepower on site.

Straddle compost turners are self-propelled machines that drive over the top of the windrow. The turning drum sits underneath the machine between the wheels or tracks. Straddle turners handle larger windrows, move faster, and do not require a separate tractor. They cost more but process significantly more material per hour.

If your operation runs smaller windrows and you already own a tractor with enough horsepower, an elevated face turner keeps your capital cost lower. If you process high volumes and need maximum throughput, a straddle turner pays for itself in labor savings.

What to Look for When Buying a Compost Turner

Start with the turning drum. Check the paddles, flails, or teeth for wear, bending, or missing components. A worn drum reduces turning efficiency and can leave untouched pockets in the windrow. Next, inspect the drive system. On towed units, check the PTO shaft, gearbox, and hitch. On self-propelled units, check the engine hours, hydraulic system, and undercarriage or tires.

Ask about the windrow dimensions the machine was built to handle. Width and height capacity vary widely between models, and running a turner through a windrow that exceeds its rated size will slow production and stress the machine.

We help coordinate inspections so buyers can evaluate a machine before committing. Call 770-433-2670 and our team can walk you through what to look for on any specific make or model.

Find the Right Compost Turner

Browse our current compost turner inventory below, or call 770-433-2670 to talk with our team. We can help match you to the right machine, arrange financing, and coordinate delivery anywhere in North America.