Top 5 Windrow Compost Turners for Horse Bedding in Canada (2025) — Expert, Field-Proven Buyer's Guide to Match Your Operation Size, Budget, and Climate

The Frontier WT1208 is an affordable, tractor-mounted windrow turner built for small to mid-sized equine operations that need reliable horse-bedding composting without large capital outlay. It stands out in this list for low acquisition and maintenance costs and simple integration with existing farm tractors, though it has lower throughput and fewer onboard controls than larger self-propelled or industrial machines like the HCL SP30 or Komptech Topturn X4500. For horse farms prioritizing budget and ease of service, the WT1208 offers a practical, cost-effective entry point to consistent windrow management.

The HCL SP30 is a self-propelled turner optimized for medium-sized operations and horse bedding composting, providing excellent maneuverability and precise turning intensity adjustments that protect fibrous bedding while accelerating decomposition. Its self-propelled design and operator controls give better operational efficiency and lower labor costs than tow-behind units like the Frontier WT1208, while costing substantially less upfront than heavy industrial options such as the Komptech Topturn X4500. For equine facilities that need a balance of performance, gentle handling of bedding, and lower lifecycle cost than full-scale industrial machines, the SP30 is a market-leading choice.

The Komptech Topturn X4500 is an industrial-grade, high-capacity windrow turner designed for large-scale horse-bedding programs and commercial composting where throughput and process control are paramount. It outperforms the other machines on raw processing speed, advanced process automation, and heavy-duty durability—delivering faster curing times and lower per-ton operational cost at scale—but carries a significantly higher purchase and running cost than compact options like the Frontier WT1208 or the Vermeer CT718. For large equine or commercial operations that require maximum throughput and sophisticated process control, the Topturn X4500 is the technical leader.

The Vermeer CT718 is a robust mid‑range compost turner that delivers consistent aeration and moisture management well-suited to horse-bedding windrows, offering more capacity and durability than basic tow-behind models while remaining more affordable than large industrial turners. It provides a strong balance of dealer support, parts availability and predictable operating costs compared with European industrial machines like Komptech and premium German models such as Backhus, making it attractive to U.S. equine facilities seeking dependable performance without overinvesting. For operations that want higher throughput than small units but don’t require full industrial scale, the CT718 is a cost-effective market leader.