A commercially made screener in the size you mention will run from $7-20,000, depending on features and motor size. They can also be acquired used, or rented.

The link below is to the results of a Google search which lists several options.

Here is a link that might be useful: Soil Sifters

Thanks, Donn. But ouch on the prices. Seems there must be a better way if one can re-fit a cement mixer for a couple hundred. If anyone know of any plans for a vibrating unit, let me know. I've always thought about trying to convert an old grain sifter or fanning mill to a soil sifter.

Really appreciate your thoughts about the soil marketing. I hope to have a little time to talk with a guy who called in TX soon and a few other people about this and then I'll post a follow-up.

Floyd,

I look forward to hearing what you do with this field. I'd also be curious about what archaeological goodies you find in it.

I can't help you with the sifter, but being a wannabe archaeologist and a history buff, I'm very curious about just what it is you are digging for! Do you help out at area sites, or are you going to be looking for something on your own property? (if I may be so nosy!)

Dee

I'm not sure if you are looking for a mechanically or hand fed.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:257880}}

Dee,

Floyd's thread on the Professional Gardener Forum will explain it for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Professional Gardener Forum

Affordable Motorized Screener/Sifter with a variety of screen openings available. $595 plus freight. Hope this helps!

Here is a link that might be useful: EZ SCREEN 100/200

If you're handy you can bang one together for cheap.It won't take front loader quantities but can handle several shovelers,and might be better suited for the archeologic aspects.
If you are interested I could describe.Not being a fast typist I won't presently.

I have a small electric screener I bought four years ago. It has a screening surface of approx. 30 x 30" and wheels to pull it around. It's a great tool! A great time saver... http://www.soilscreener.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Better Built Soil Screeners

Here's a whole body vibration platform for $347 at Amazon that I've been thinking about for health reasons. Would work if you put a bowl with a stationary sifter, I think. There are cheaper versions but they have a post up thru the middle to hold on to for $199.

Here is a link that might be useful: Whole Body Vibration - flat bed

For years I used a home made sifter of about four square feet with a handle on each end and with a lot of hip motion it screened through half inch mesh pretty good. At a garage sale I bought a foot bath vibrator for five dollars and mounted the vibrator motor on top of the sifter. The sifter I them mounted of four springs that would allow the sifter to vibrate. The whole thing is then set on top of a wheel barrow and plugged in to electricity. It never gets tired and all I do is shovel on the compost and throw away what won't go through the screen. Al

I have a small screener. Runs on electric. You can fit a wheelbarrow beneath it to catch the dirt. Runs pretty quiet. Very reliable machine. I keep it under my deck with a tarp over it. but the legs can be removed for storage. The top screen area measures about 30x30 inches..It cost me about $700. Check out http://www.soilscreener.com

Here is a link that might be useful: www.soilscreener.com

Just Curious Floyd, should you see this, How is the farm and are you still holding on to that 10 acres of soil containing the artifacts?

Tom

Last year in this forum, I saw that a guy was showing pictures of his screener he made out of an old washing machine motor and wood. I looked like it worked pretty good, since he was loading it a backhoe.

You may want to search for it.

Good luck