Browse elevated face compost turners for sale from Vermeer, Brown Bear, and other manufacturers. An elevated face turner is towed behind a tractor and uses a front-mounted drum to lift, turn, and re-form compost windrows. It is the most common entry point for operations that already have tractor horsepower on site. 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.

Why Choose an Elevated Face Compost Turner?

An elevated face compost turner mounts to a tractor via a hitch or three-point connection and is powered by the tractor's PTO or by its own dedicated engine. The rotating drum at the front of the machine lifts material from the windrow and throws it to the side or behind the unit, mixing and aerating in a single pass.

The main advantage is cost. If you already own a tractor with the right horsepower rating, you only need to buy the turner itself. That keeps your total equipment investment significantly lower than a self-propelled machine.

Elevated face turners are the preferred choice for:

• Small to mid-size composting facilities:operations processing yard waste, food waste, or manure that do not need the throughput of a self-propelled machine
• Farms and ranches:dairy, poultry, and livestock operations that already have tractors and want to compost manure on site
• Municipal yard waste programs:city and county operations running windrows at a central processing yard
• Landscape contractors:companies producing their own compost or mulch blends at a fixed site

If your operation has outgrown a front-end loader for turning but does not need the speed and capacity of a full self-propelled unit, an elevated face turner fills that gap.

Elevated Face vs. Straddle Compost Turners

The choice depends on your volume, your windrow size, and whether you already have tractor horsepower available.

• Elevated face turners are towed by a tractor and turn from alongside the windrow. They handle windrows typically 6 to 10 feet wide and 4 to 6 feet tall, depending on the model. Purchase cost is lower, and maintenance is simpler because the tractor provides the power. The trade-off is slower throughput and the need for a dedicated tractor during turning.
• Straddle compost turners are self-propelled and drive over the windrow. They handle larger windrows (up to 12+ feet wide and 8+ feet tall on some models) and move faster. They cost more upfront but process more material per hour without tying up a tractor.

For operations turning fewer than 10,000 cubic yards per year, an elevated face turner typically makes the most economic sense. Above that volume, the speed advantage of a straddle machine starts to offset its higher cost.

What to Check on an Elevated Face Turner Before You Buy

Start with the turning drum. Inspect the paddles or flails for wear, cracks, and missing teeth. A drum in poor condition means immediate replacement cost. Check the gearbox and PTO shaft for smooth operation and any signs of leaking or damage.

Next, look at the frame and hitch. Towed turners take repeated stress at the hitch point and along the frame rails during transport and operation. Check for cracks, welds that have been repaired, and any bowing or twisting.

Finally, confirm the tractor requirements. Every elevated face turner has a minimum PTO horsepower rating. Make sure your tractor meets or exceeds that spec before you commit.

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.

Find the Right Elevated Face Compost Turner

Browse our current elevated face 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.