- A center-axle mounted drum compost tumbler sits on a frame a little bit above the ground -- six inches or so in most cases. Essentially, all that is required for the compost to tumble is for the gardener to spin it. It is simple to operate, but it is difficult to transfer the compost directly to a wheelbarrow because it sits so low to the ground. You have to use a shovel or pitchfork to get the compost out.
- The rolling drum style of composter has a base and rolls in place. These usually look like large garbage cans set on their side. The lid is in the center and the ends have holes to aerate the compost. Steps placed in the side of the drum make it simple to turn the composter with your foot. Some drum models can be set upright to load or unload, but this can be more cumbersome than it's worth.
- Made to look attractive in your outdoor landscape, rolling sphere composters are usually smaller than larger tumbler styles. Designed to handle all types of organic waste, sphere-style composters are essentially perforated balls that stand on casters and can be rolled as needed. Compost is generally created rather quickly and efficiently in as little as four weeks, compared to larger composters that take much longer.
- A crank-operated compost tumbler is a horizontal drum mounted on a raised frame. Sometimes the frame has wheels and a handle so the composter can be easily moved from place to place. The drum sits up fairly high -- some as high as waist level to most adults. There is a crank on the side that works internal baffles, which mix the composting material inside. Although loading these types of composters can be more difficult because they are higher than most, they are much simpler to unload. They can be rolled so that the hatch faces the ground and then the hatch simply unlatched so the compost falls to the ground, or they can be pulled out easily into a wheelbarrow.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -