Self-propelled turner
Four-wheeled machine that straddles the windrow. Simple, manoeuvrable and inexpensive; the right choice for farms and small composting sites where pile geometry changes often.
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One machine, four jobs
Compost Windrow Turner
A windrow turner aerates the pile, remixes the outside to the core, crushes caking and regulates moisture through its spray bar. It is the machine that determines how long fermentation takes.
- Self-propelled and crawler types, 6–10 m/min working speed
- Turning widths from 2.3 m to 4.5 m with 75–143 hp drive options
- Optional water spray system for moisture control during fermentation
At a glance
- Types
- Self-propelled (moving type) and crawler type
- Working speed
- 6–10 m/min
- Rotor speed
- 2,200–2,400 r/min
- Power
- 75–143 hp diesel (crawler), smaller engines on self-propelled
- Windrow
- 0.6–1.8 m high, 2–3 m wide depending on model
What a windrow turner actually does to a compost pile
Turning is not simply mixing. The rotor lifts material from the base of the pile, carries it over the top and deposits it behind the machine, which means the outside of the old pile becomes the inside of the new one. That is how every particle passes through the hot core at some point, and it is why turning frequency is the main lever you have over how uniformly your compost matures.
Turning also performs three other jobs at once. It aerates the pile, restoring the oxygen that the microbes have consumed; it crushes caking and lumps, which shortens the crushing stage later in the fertilizer line; and it releases heat and water vapour, which is how a wet pile dries down towards the target 25–30% moisture at the end of fermentation.
The practical consequence is that fermentation time in a turned windrow is 10–15 days for the thermophilic phase, against three months or more for an unturned heap. For a farm processing 20 tonnes of manure a day, that difference is the amount of pad you need, the amount of labour you employ and, ultimately, whether the composting stage is a bottleneck in the fertilizer plant or a smooth upstream buffer.
Which turner for which operation
Crawler turner
Rubber-track chassis, hydraulic drive on the rotor and push plates, enclosed cab. Built for continuous commercial operation and for sites where the ground is soft or uneven.
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Forklift-mounted turner
A rotating attachment driven from the forklift's hydraulics. Cheap, uses a machine you already own, and adequate for a small pile turned twice a week.
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Groove-type turner
Rail-mounted machine working inside a three-walled fermentation channel. Deeper piles and less floor area, at the price of a fixed installation.
View details →Typical windrow turner models
| Model class | Turning width | Windrow height | Power | Capacity guide | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact self-propelled | 2.3 m | 0.6–1.0 m | 35–60 hp | 300–600 m³/h | Small farms, goat and poultry manure, pilot plants |
| Standard self-propelled | 2.6–3.0 m | 0.8–1.3 m | 60–90 hp | 600–900 m³/h | Farm and cooperative composting |
| Crawler turner | 2.6–3.0 m | 1.0–1.5 m | 75–110 hp | 900–1,200 m³/h | Commercial composting, soft ground, one-operator sites |
| Large crawler / full hydraulic | 3.0–4.5 m | 1.2–1.8 m | 120–143 hp | 1,200–2,000 m³/h | Large farms, municipal composting, fertilizer plants |
Operating and maintenance guidance
- Set the turning depth so the rotor engages the base of the pile. A turner that skims only the top 300 mm leaves the anaerobic layer untouched and the fermentation stalls at depth.
- Do not turn at the peak of the thermophilic phase more often than necessary. Over-turning releases heat and moisture, and in very hot conditions can drop the core below 55 °C and slow pathogen destruction.
- Check and grease the rotor bearings on schedule — daily in continuous operation. They are the most heavily loaded components on the machine and the most expensive to replace.
- Inspect the turning teeth weekly and replace them before they round off. Worn teeth smear the material instead of lifting it, which compacts the new pile.
- Use the spray bar to correct moisture, not to soak the pile. Add water in several light passes rather than one heavy application, which would create wet pockets.
- Keep the pad clean and level. A rutted pad puts uneven load on the chassis and on the rotor, and it also holds water where the pile base sits.
Compost windrow turner is widely used in organic waste composting, especially for animal manure composting. It can efficiently adjust fermentation conditions by evenly turning compost pile, so as to accelerate composting period and improve compost quality. Windrow composting is easy to manage and operate. You just need place organic waste on the ground in long rows. Then regularly turn compost piles regularly. You will get quality compost fertilizer in a short time. And the detailed operations are as below.
Two types efficient compost windrow turner for animal waste composting
When you choose compost turning machine, what functions do you pay more attentions to? They may be capacity, energy consumption, operation and maintenance. Shunxin, a manure to fertilizer equipment manufacturer, can provide you high-quality equipment and services. Shunxin windrow compost turner includes crawler type compost turner and self-propelled compost turner. Both of them will be your best assistants in composting animal manure.
Crawler type manure composting equipment
Shunxin crawler type compost turner adopts rubber track chassis, which can provide sufficient support for machine body during operation. In addition, its roller with stirring tooth and push plates adopt hydraulic drive, which can improve turning efficiency. During working, the crawler type compost turner will span over the compost pile. At the same time, its turning device will evenly stir and remix materials in the compost pile.
In addition to adjust fermentation conditions by turning, this kind of compost turner also can crush caking into small pieces. It uses diesel oil as fuel. Finally, you just need designate one person to operate this machine. The driver can monitor the whole machine in the driver’s cab that can isolate heat generated by composting and odor. It has four models, SEECLDF-2300, SEECLDF-2600, SEECLDF-3000 and SEECLDF-3000 (full hydraulic). Its turning speed is 6-10m/min. Ans its power ranges from 75hp to 143hp.
If you are interested in this machine, Please contact us!
Self-propelled compost turner (Moving type compost turner)
The design and structure of self-propelled compost turner is simpler than that of crawler type compost turner. It adopts four wheels, so it is flexible in operation. In view of simple operation, it is widely used in farm and small-scale organic fertilizer production. It is suitable for composting various animal manure and agricultural wastes. Its working principle is similar to crawler type.
When it moving forward, the rotary shaft with turning tooth underneath the machine will rotate at a constant speed and turn the materials evenly. After turning, the materials in the inner part and outer part will be mixed evenly for further fermentation. With the help of compost windrow turner, you will get quality compost in 20-30 days. In order to better adjust moisture, you can equip compost turner with water spray system, which can add water to compost pile in time.
What’s the role of compost windrow turner in windrow composting?
During manure composting system, many factors influence the quality of compost, including moisture, temperature, oxygen content, PH value and so on. Compost windrow turner will evenly turn the compost pile and remix organic wastes. In this way, windrow turner can indirectly adjust fermentation conditions. microorganisms will consume oxygen, moisture to digest organic matters in animal waste. When the windrow composting facility turns the compost pile, the heat and water which is in form of vapor will escape from the compost windrows. At the same time, materials in different parts will be remixed for uniform composting and fully contact with air. With favorable moisture, temperature and oxygen content, fermentation will go smoothly.
Compost windrow turner plans or solution to deal with customer’s requirements
1.8 meter windrow compost turner Italy
This kind of compost windrow machine to some extent solves our customer facing problem from Italy which is custom. Our engineers adopt new technology in windrow composting to design this type. Compared to others, the turner’s width decides the amount of turning width. And in terms of turning height, row space, capacity we need to take into consideration seriously. Therefore, in the process of making windrow compost turners, any equipment should be required for turning windrow composting system. Or they can not be used regularly to make compost. On the other hand, it has high work efficiency and reduce investment cost for our Italian customer. He is very satisfied with our products. Then, he sent videos and pictures in his plants. What’s more, we can customize any kind of model for your fertilizer plant if you need. Pl send us emails as soon as possible.
Small scale windrow compost turner African for small fertilizer plants
Small scale compost windrow turner for sale from our company is very popular around the world. Obviously, small fertilizer plants have a lot in the world, even small farm waste plants. Meanwhile, compost windrow turner unit cost is very competitive and economic among all manure to fertilizer equipment. With the help of our salesman, our African client chooses this model to make fertilizer. Windrow turner for municipal waste composting, goat manure compost, pig manure compost, organic waste, etc., are possible to make them into fertilizer. The project can make 500-700 square meters per hour capacity which satisfies our clients needs. At the budget, less investment can be poured into the business. It is the best choice for small fertilizer plants.
What is windrow composting and its benefits?
Windrow composting is an easy and efficient way to making organic waste composting, especially for fermenting animal manure. Generally speaking, we usually adopt turned windrow composting to deal with animal manure. During this process, compost turner machine will remix the compost pile for aerating it. The first step to make windrow composting is to pile organic wastes in long rows or windrows.
The height and width of compost pile can be decided according to the model of compost turner. The fermentation starts when you finish building compost piles. Proper moisture (45%-60%), suitable temperature (60 degree centigrade) and enough oxygen will provide favorable environment for microorganism activities. During composting, you can regularly turn the compost pile. Finally, you will get quality compost in 20-30 days.
Benefits of dealing organic waste by windrow composting
As we all know, fresh animal manure not only occupies much space but also has odor. However, the volume and odor of animal manure will greatly decrease after composting. What is important is that animal manure will become biologically stable and humic substances under the role of microorganisms after composting. Then, you can use composted animal wastes as soil amendments, mulches and natural fertilizer. In addition, windrow composting has no special requirements on operation and site. Therefore, it will be your prior choice to deal with animal waste by composting.
Cost of windrow turner compost production in our company
As a fertilizer equipment supplier, our company, has new technology in windrow composting and professional windrow turner production experience. Therefore,if you purchase compost windrow turner with high quality, our factory can be your best choice. There are three kinds of valuable information you have to know: 1> We are fertilizer equipment maker, but not third agency. You will not spend middle fees to increase your budget. In terms of this point, it can directly reduce your cost so that you can have more benefits. 2> One stop service can be offered in details. Compared with third parties, we can provide you with expert advice and guide so that you can get reasonable information in a short time. 3> As for the parts of making windrow turners, they are very cheap. Because our cooperators are very reliable, we have cooperated with each other for more than 20 years. They always give a special offer. Relatively speaking, our cost has large competitiveness. You can buy them at a ideal price.
Where can you use Shunxin compost windrow turner?
Shunxin windrow compost turner is widely used in organic waste composting and organic fertilizer production line. On the one hand, you can use it to deal with animal wastes on your own farm, commercial compost fertilizer production and industrial composting. On the other hand, it is suitable for composting livestock manure (such as pig manure, horse manure, cow dung), poultry manure (such as chicken manure), agricultural waste (such as straw, rice hull, cornstalk) and garden waste (leaves and grass).
Generally speaking, you need to adopt at least 60% animal manure in making quality compost, and the other agricultural and garden waste can be used as auxiliary materials.
Tips on windrow composting
Before composting, the moisture of materials should be 45% to 60%. The test method: when you squeeze a handful of organic waste, it should hold together but not exude excess water.
When the temperature of compost pile achieves 60-70 degree centigrade, you should begin to turn the compost pile. Because of too higher temperature will inhibit microorganism activities, then influence composting.
You had better place windrows under shelter, so as to prevent bad weather.
The size of compost piles should be not too small, or it will be difficult for compost pile to heat up.
Special design of windrow compost turner—water spray system
Machine gallery
Photographed in our Xingyang workshop and on customer sites. Watermark-free, no phone numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a compost pile be turned?
In the first week, two to three times a day, because microbial activity is at its peak and oxygen demand is highest. From the second week, once every two to three days is normally enough. If the core temperature falls below 45 °C, turn again; if it will not rise after turning, the readily degradable material is exhausted and fermentation is essentially complete.
How much does a compost windrow turner cost?
Price is driven by turning width, drive type and whether the machine is self-propelled or crawler-mounted. A compact tractor-mounted or forklift-mounted attachment is the lowest-cost entry point and is suitable for small piles. A crawler turner with a cab and full hydraulic drive is a substantially larger investment but lets one operator process several hundred tonnes a day. Send us your daily manure volume and pile dimensions and we will recommend the smallest model that will do your duty.
What is the working speed of a windrow turner?
Between 6 and 10 m/min is typical. The rotor turns at 2,200–2,400 r/min depending on the model. Capacity is therefore a function of pile cross-section and travel speed, which is why the meaningful figure is cubic metres per hour and not metres per hour.
Does the turner need a water spray system?
In a dry climate or with dry manure, yes. A spray bar fed from the machine's own tank lets the operator add water during turning, which is the easiest moment to correct moisture because the material is already being mixed. Where manure arrives wet, the spray system is rarely used but is still worth specifying, because fermentation usually loses water faster than expected in hot weather.
Which fuel does a crawler turner use?
Diesel. The crawler models typically run 75–143 hp diesel engines, give 6–10 m/min of working speed and are designed to be operated by a single person from an enclosed cab that isolates the driver from the heat and odour of the composting process.
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