A huge cleanup effort organised by Canterbury’s farmers is moving through the suburbs of Christchurch, shifting tonnes of silt and sand.

A Federated Farmers led mobilisation of tractors, diggers and wheelbarrows, manned by residents of rural Canterbury were gathered to clear up suburban streets covered in debris from Tuesday’s earthquake.

Civil defence engineers have told the organisation that the roads across much of the city are unsafe for large vehicles such as diggers, trucks and heavy earthmovers.

Federated Farmers Earthquake Spokesperson John Hartnell says this means their efforts have had to scaled down, for now.

"We've had the odd tractor in there with the large buckets, but the roads are stil very tight and not good for movement at all, so you've got to be very careful."

"We're just using good old elbow grease mainly right now." 

Mr Hartnell says the numbers of farmers volunteering equipment and machinery has exceeded all expectations, and it’s heartening to see so many tired residents pitching in with shovels and wheelbarrows.

"We've got the young farmers organisation, the Fed's (Fed Farmers) of course.

"We've got lots of school kids today, they're not allowed to go to school so they're in here with the vests, helping out.

"It's about the community that's not been knockd around helping out the community that has."

Federated Farmers estimate more than 1,000 tonnes of silt, sand and debris have already been removed and work will continue through the week.

The Feds say anyone in the area who has equipment, or just an extra pair of hands can call their 24 hour hotline, 0800 FARMING, 0800 327 646.

Head to their website, here.