What GPM does a skid steer screening bucket need?

Most skid steer screening buckets require 15 to 30 GPM of auxiliary hydraulic flow. Standard-flow skid steers typically produce 15 to 22 GPM, which is adequate for many screening buckets. High-flow buckets that require 25+ GPM need a high-flow skid steer or a hydraulic upgrade. Always check the bucket manufacturer's specifications against your machine's auxiliary flow rating before purchasing.

Can I use a screening bucket on a Bobcat?

Yes. Most screening buckets use a universal skid steer quick-attach plate that fits Bobcat and other major skid steer brands. The key factor is not the brand of skid steer but the machine's auxiliary hydraulic flow and lift capacity. Check your specific Bobcat model's specs to make sure the screening bucket you are considering is compatible.

How many yards per hour can a skid steer screening bucket process?

Typical throughput ranges from 10 to 25 cubic yards per hour, depending on material type, moisture content, screen opening size, and operator technique. Dry, free-flowing topsoil screens at the higher end of that range. Wet or clay-heavy material drops production significantly.

Is a screening bucket worth it for a small landscaping business?

For many small landscaping operations, a skid steer screening bucket is one of the best equipment investments available. If you already own a skid steer, you add screening capability for $6,000 to $20,000 instead of $50,000+ for a standalone screener. The screened product sells for $15 to $25 more per cubic yard than raw material, so the bucket can pay for itself within a few months of regular use.

What is the difference between a vibrating screening bucket and a rotary screening bucket?

A vibrating screening bucket uses a hydraulic motor to shake a flat mesh screen. Material falls through the mesh openings as it vibrates. This design is simpler, less expensive, and works well with dry, free-flowing material. A rotary screening bucket uses rotating drums, blades, or star discs to tumble and separate material. Rotary designs handle wet, sticky, and clay-heavy material much better because the rotation is self-cleaning. Rotary buckets cost more but offer greater versatility.

When should I upgrade from a screening bucket to a standalone screener?

When your screening volume consistently exceeds 20 to 25 cubic yards per hour, or when you find yourself screening for more than half of your working day, a standalone screener will improve your productivity and product quality. Screening buckets top out at roughly 150 to 200 cubic yards per full working day. A small shaker screen or trommel can double or triple that output with one operator.

Compost Turners for Sale | New & Used

Name: Grinder Crusher Screen
Telephone: 770-433-2670

Filters

Browse compost turners and windrow turners for sale from Vermeer, SCARAB, Wildcat, Frontier, Brown Bear, Backhus, Komptech, and other manufacturers. A compost turner aerates and mixes windrows to speed 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. Used compost turners typically range from $35,000 to $250,000 depending on size, type, and hours.

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, releases excess heat and moisture, and moves 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 waste converted 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

Elevated Face vs. Straddle Turners

Elevated face compost turners are towed behind a tractor. The turning drum lifts material from the windrow face as the tractor drives alongside. Lower capital cost and a good fit for operations with existing tractor horsepower. Best for smaller windrows and moderate volumes.

Straddle compost turners are self-propelled machines that drive over the top of the windrow. The turning drum sits underneath between the wheels or tracks. Higher throughput, larger windrow capacity, and no separate tractor required. The choice for high-volume municipal and commercial operations.

If your operation runs smaller windrows and you already own a tractor, an elevated face turner keeps capital costs lower. If you process high volumes daily, a straddle turner pays for itself in labor savings and speed.

Brands We Carry

Vermeer: one of the most recognized names in composting equipment, with a full range of towed and self-propelled turners
SCARAB: purpose-built compost turners designed for commercial and municipal windrow operations
Wildcat: self-propelled turners built for heavy-duty composting applications
Frontier: towed compost turners for operations with existing tractor horsepower
Brown Bear: long-established manufacturer of PTO-driven compost turners and windrow machines
Backhus: German-engineered straddle turners for high-volume commercial composting
Komptech: the Topturn line handles large-scale composting with high throughput and reliable performance

We also see turners from Aeromaster, HCL, and other manufacturers. Inventory changes frequently — call us if you need a specific make or model.

For a buyer's checklist and guidance on sizing, read What Should I Look for in a Compost Turner?

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.