Key Concepts

Natural Cycles: Water, Minerals (Nutrient), Carbon, Life

Holistic Thinking

Soil Foodweb

Humus from Compost

   Why use slower/lower drum speeds and how does that affect the compost quality?

• Decomposition of varying feedstocks may benefit from specific rpm.
• Differing time frames (number of days along) during the composting cycle may suggest differing speeds.
• Equipment does not make compost, microbes do. The optimum drum speed and tine shape can provide the ideal environment for beneficial microbes to flourish.
• Drum speed and tine shape should lift, blend, and aerate compost feedstocks rather than cut, shred, and pulverize.
• High drum speeds retard, rather than accelerate, the composting process.
• Aggregation for crumb structure and humus development are limited when high drum speeds or a pulverizing approach are used.
• A perfect turn should move center materials to the perimeter and perimeter materials to the center of the windrow. Aeromaster turners do this rather than bouncing them off a hood or curtain.
• A perfect turn should get oxygen into the windrow and most carbon dioxide out. Respiration tests in front of and behind an Aeromaster turner will demonstrate the quality of this exchange.
• Lower drum speeds reduce maintenance costs as stress is reduced throughout the turner.
• Safety is enhanced as the risk of projectiles flying from the pile is largely eliminated.