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A38 Compost Turner

The Ideal Entry Level Turner.

Step Up to Cabin Comfort and Larger-Scale Output.

Ready to move beyond a loader attachment? The BACKHUS® A38 is engineered for professional composters looking to scale up without a significant capital investment. Purpose-built for serious composting work, the A38 brings cabin comfort, fuel efficiency, and reliable performance to operations that have outgrown entry-level equipment.

The A38 features a panoramic operator cabin and handles windrows up to 12 feet wide and 6 feet tall with ease. Its efficient design requires less horsepower than comparable machines, translating to meaningful fuel savings over time. Controls are straightforward and intuitive, keeping training time low and productivity high.

Built with the same engineering standards as the broader BACKHUS lineup, the A38 is a capable, cost-effective path into larger-scale composting.

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Product Features

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Easy Access

All critical components and functions of the machine are easily accessible for routine maintenance and service.

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INTUITIVE CONTROLS

Control operating speed and steering with one hand, and access critical functions via “top hat” push buttons on the intuitive joystick control.

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PANORAMIC CABIN

The panoramic cabin and rearview camera provide clear visibility of the turning environment.

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EFFICIENT ENGINE

BACKHUS makes the most efficient turners in the industry, and the standard diesel engine with turbocharger allows for maximum power.

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HYDRAULIC TAILGATE

This operator-controlled feature manipulates the throwing of material and allows for the shaping of windrows or help with mixing.

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POWERFUL DRIVETRAIN

The robust hydraulics system ensures the drum and drive handle the toughest material environments.

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TRACK CLEARERS/PLOWS

Operating independently of the frame and drum position, the clearers are very easily controlled to provide toe-to-toe windrow placement. The one-touch ‘float’ feature maintains constant contact with the pad.

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ARMORED DRUM TOOLS

The drum tools are coated with an abrasion-resistant material for maximum tool life.

A38 Compost Turner Demonstration

Interested in the BACKHUS A38 Compost Turner? Contact us to arrange an on-site demonstration at your facility, running your material, to see just how good it is!

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A cut-out image of a BACKHUS A38 compost turner shows its large black steel drum and enclosed operator cab.

Case Studies

Built on a Mission: How MyGreen Michigan is Turning Packaged Food Waste into Finished Compost

June 8, 2026

Company Overview Founded in 2014, MyGreen Michigan is a food waste diversion company serving the southern half of Lower Michigan. The company collects organic material from restaurants, commercial kitchens, hospitality…

From One Trommel to Three: How Doppstadt Helped Hansen’s Tree Service Scale

May 27, 2026

Jeff Hansen started trimming trees on Saturdays in 1988 so his wife could stay home with their children. Word spread. The side work became regular. Eventually, with his employer’s blessing,…

Case Study Update: Catalyst BioAmendments

December 29, 2025

When we first featured Catalyst BioAmendments in 2021, the Nevada City, CA company was already known for producing exceptionally high-quality, microbe-focused compost and for challenging assumptions about what compost at…