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This hay or dung fork from the well-known manufacturer Fiskars can not only be used to distribute hay or manure, but is a real all-rounder in Stable and garden: The robust device is also suitable for forking up garden waste, for moving the compost or for loosening up both soft and hard ones Floors.

The four long, curved tines allow a perfect lifting angle, the one supplied The plastic handle has a practical D-handle for easy, ergonomic work with reduced Effort. The numerous Amazon reviewers praise the Fiskars pitchfork as very robust and versatile - only the lack of length adjustability of the handle is criticized by some customers.

Satisfied Amazon customers describe this classic, three-pronged hay and spreading fork as handy and well balanced. The robust, lightweight device can be used for many purposes: The long, narrow tines can be used to remove different materials such as hay, straw, green forage, etc. not only fork up easily, but also distribute as desired. The sturdy handle made of hard ash wood is exactly the right length to enable work that is easy on the back. You can also easily replace it yourself if necessary. This pitchfork is just the right tool for someone who prefers classic devices without too many bells and whistles.

Pitchforks with only two prongs have the advantage over multi-pronged versions that they are easier to pierce into dense material. This allows you to lift straw and hay bales in a more targeted manner, as well as making it easier to lift and turn compost. The sturdy handle is made of hard ash wood and can easily be replaced by yourself if necessary. The Amazon customers are very satisfied in their reviews, especially since this pitchfork can be purchased cheaply in comparison.

Purchase criteria

purpose of use

Usually pitchforks are used for turning, picking up and distributing hay, straw and green fodder. However, depending on its properties, this device can be used in a very versatile way, not only in the stable, but also in the garden: for example for forking and turning compost or as a replacement for one Digging fork. With a sturdy pitchfork you can even loosen or loosen the soil. Spread green cuttings as well as other mulch material and compost in the beds.

Number of tines

Depending on what you want to use the pitchfork for, you should choose the number of tines. Traditional pitchforks usually have two or three tines, but there are also models with four tines. Two-pronged forks are very suitable for loading and lifting densely compressed material (e. B. Hay, straw and fodder bales), but also for digging into dense material. Three-pronged versions, on the other hand, are mainly used to distribute, e.g. forage, green waste or compost. Four-pronged pitchforks, on the other hand, can be used in a particularly versatile way both in the stable or in the garden bed, but they also require greater effort.

material

Traditional pitchforks are made entirely of wood, both the handle and the tines are made - often from one piece - of hard wood such as ash or beech. These models are sometimes still available today, but they wear out quickly and break easily. Classic versions, on the other hand, are in two parts and consist of a steel tine head, a wooden handle and a connection, which is usually also made of steel. The steel tines are more pointed and sharper compared to wooden tines, but also lighter and therefore easier to handle. The steel tines can be drawn or forged, the latter often being more robust and therefore more durable.

Stem and stem length

In addition to wooden handles, there are also some made of plastic or stainless steel. Plastic handles are light and therefore easy to handle, while stainless steel versions are particularly durable. However, wooden handles can be exchanged more easily if necessary, and they are also cheaper. The very long handle lengths, which are usually around 135 centimeters, are also typical of pitchforks. If such a handle is too long for you, you can buy just the clevis and attach a shorter handle yourself - or buy a model with a telescopic handle.

Attachment to the wooden handle

Fork and handle are connected to each other either with a spring clamp or a forged spout. In contrast to the fixed grommet, the spring clamp is a separate component, which consists of a jacket and a cap. It completely encloses the wooden handle and is with Nails attached. The spout, in turn, is forged onto the fork head and is attached to the handle with a screw or nail.

Handles and other extras

Modern pitchforks such as the model presented by Fiskars have extras that make work easier, such as a rubberized, non-slip handle. In addition, due to the use of plastic, they are often lighter than the classic versions made of steel and wood - but also more expensive.

frequently asked Questions

What is the difference between a pitchfork and a pitchfork?

At Amazon, the corresponding devices are often offered under the designation "hay and dung fork", whereby a dung fork is nothing other than the classic pitchfork. This suggests that it is one and the same tool. This is not the case because there are significant differences between the two:

• Pitchforks are used for fodder, dung forks for manure
• Pitchforks have two, three or a maximum of four prongs, pitchforks at least four
• Pitchforks have curved tines and slightly curved handles, pitchforks rarely or not at all
• Pitchforks often have thicker and more blunt tines

Can I also use the pitchfork to dig up the garden?

You can also use a four-pronged pitchfork to dig up beds and other gardening work, but what is known as a digging or digging fork is more suitable. Spade fork. This is much more stable and therefore more suitable - especially when it comes to hard and stony soils.

Who makes good pitchforks?

You can get pitchforks of good, robust quality from classic tool manufacturers such as Fiskars, but also from agricultural brands such as Bellota, Red Rooster or Corona.

Where can I buy pitchforks?

You can get pitchforks of different types and quality both on the Internet and in brick-and-mortar stores. Here you should not only look at the big online department stores, but also in the construction or agricultural trade - the agricultural trade has a large range of different models.

What does a good pitchfork cost?

The price of the pitchfork depends on where you buy it - a price comparison is worthwhile - as well as the selected model. Classic models with steel tines and wooden handles are quite cheap, depending on the manufacturer, you should plan between 20 and 35 EUR. If you only buy the tine head, it will cost you between approx. 10 and 25 EUR - plus the costs for the extra handle to be procured. Modern models made of plastic and with various extras are significantly more expensive.

equipment

shovel

For daily work in the stable and garden you not only need a pitchfork, but also a good one Shovel - this can be used to remove many materials such as fine-grain forage, but also manure, compost, earth, Sand etc. easy to pick up and shovel away.

Dung or ball fork

Wherever animals are fed, there is also a lot of manure. In particular, the legacies of horses can easily be picked up with a so-called Bollengabel. But such a - also known as a pitchfork - can not only be used for mucking out, but also for many other purposes in the house and garden, such as raking up and lifting autumn leaves.