If you have stony soil and want to sieve it without the back ache and
arm ache of hand sieving, then I can thoroughly recommend the
electrically powered Scheppach RS400. I've just bought one of these and
it performs really well.
I can also imaging that it will be good for sieving any woody bits from
home compost.
Sieved soil drops out the bottom, into a barrow if you wish, and the
stones, roots etc are ejected out the end into a bucket or barrow.
I have no commercial interest in Scheppach, just a very satisfied customer.
There is video of the thing in action he-
http://files.recycleworks.co.uk/sifter-video.htm
Bob