Methods to move mulch into backyards?

[NebClimber]

Anybody have a good trick for moving mulch into backyards MANUALLY?

I've used wheelbarrows and garbage cans (with wheels) in the past, but is there a better way?

Steven

 

[Stumper]

I've drug tarps, cans and wheelbarrowed it. I haven't found a better combination than a good wheelbarrow, an ensilage fork and a garden rake. Obviously a move up into mechanization such as a mini-skidsteerhas possibilitities but you did say manually.

 

[Newfie]

Try one of those 10 cu. ft. wheelbarrows w/ the double wheels on the front. I bet that would speed things up.

 

[Koa Man]

Anybody have a good trick for moving mulch into backyards MANUALLY?

Steven

Get a guy from the labor service or manpower company. Give him a wheelbarrow (if there is wheeled access) or a trash can, ensilage fork, and let him do it. Save your back for more worthwhile things. I use Labor Ready quite a bit. I pay $13.95 per man hour, 4 hours minimum.

 

[che]

I bought two of these Rubbermaid wheelbarrows. I think they call them feed carts. They'll hold a maximum load of 300#....I've filled them to the top with feed and still rolled them down a bumpy incline and over a drycreekbed to feed cattle.

I bought the second one for home. I've used it for moving everything in the garden. Mantis tiller, all my tools....in one trip.

It empties easily. Heavy things (like a big rock) can be kinda rolled into it if you lay the slanted front on the ground. Then, if you place it over the axle it can be pushed/pulled with one hand. I've filled it with compost, mulch, water, sticks, kids, dogs, etc. I guess I've had them over a year now and am very pleased. They're pricey....$150+....but worth every cent, IMHO.

I found this picture online:

http://arborist.************/attachment_23163.php

 

[alanarbor]

Power barrow How about this?

There's something similar and larger that masonry contractors use, I just can't think of the name, but I'm sure you could rent one.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

There are companies that have mulch blowers that are just like GIANT insulation blowers. They're used a lot on large commercial jobs.

 

[Koa Man]

You guys are cheating if you use mulch blowers and power barrows. The question was moving it manually.

 

[jimmyq]

wheelbarrow and a grain scoop (sometime snow shovel). or pacific bark blowers

 

[Stumper]

Paul, You have to try an ensilage/cottonseed fork. It beats a grain scoop six ways from Sunday.

 

[alanarbor]

You guys are cheating if you use mulch blowers and power barrows. The question was moving it manually.

Then I find a fella named Manuel to move it for me!

 

[tophopper]

Do like the movie the shawshank redemption....

a pocket full at a time

 

[xander9727]

Have the truck dump it in your back yard when they deliver it.

 

[juststumps]

look in a "Mc Master Carr, or a graingers book" ballast fork,,",,thats the ticket... best thing in the world for shoveling ,,, mulch,,,chips,,,stump grinding's. i wouldn't leave home without one!!!!!

 

[jimmyq]

Stumper. the fork you speak of, is it plastic tines or metal? I tried one once that was plastic and it didnt seem to last long. the mulch I am spreading is 3/8" compost mulch, almost a topsoil like consistency but coarser and a bit lighter. I only mention what it is because I wanna be sure we are all talkin bout the same materials.. and if you insist, I will try the cottonseed fork, if I can figure out what it is.

 

[Koa Man]

I had both plastic and metal ensilage forks. The plastic ones are junk. Too much flex and the tines spread apart when poking them into stuff. I like the metal ones. Used it yesterday to both rake and then load stump grindings into a trash barrel. Worked much better than the big #14 shovel I had.

 

[pmuscato]

We called them seed forks, scoop is shaped like a scoop shovel but with tines, short handle. better then a pitchfork.I like to leave the mulch on the dump truck, tilt the bed and fork into a wheelborrow, loads fast. Just another option.

 

[Stumper]

Paul, It is steel. For your fine composted mulch you scoop may be superior. I was thinking of moving brush chipper wood chips. Sherril sells one similar to this http://209.35.185.42/ShopSite/Coron..._Veg_fork_10_tines_w_D_Handle_C-FK_75010.html

 

[Proj Eng]

Definitely the fork!!! I also like to use an alumnium shovel year round. I call it the "teaspoon." Great for scooping snow drifts and bark and anything else. I also find a flat gravel shovel as a good universal shovel. Especially when turning a compost pile.

 

[KentuckySawyer]

What about a crop duster?