Design a tumbling composter!!

[veggiechicken]

Tumbling composters have been mentioned elsewhere and I've been looking at previous threads and on Goggle to see what they look like (never having seen one in real life)
Most of them seem to be plastic drums mounted on a framework on an axle and, obviously, capable of being turned.
The problems appear to be supporting the weight of compost once the drum is full and emptying it.
So, could you use a metal drum (like an oil drum), punch a hole in each end for a hollow metal pole (?scaffolding pole) and run a rope through the pole joined to make a loop and to make a sort of harness.
There would need to be an access hatch on one side that could be securely fastened!
With the drum on its side on the ground, you could fill through the hatch, step inside the rope loop, and pull/roll the drum across the ground.
To empty it, you'd remove the hatch cover and roll it onto its side so that the contents could be shovelled out, or upside down for the compost to fall out - perhaps up a ramp (?car ramps)
Just some idle thoughts to keep my brain from atrophying
Feel free to rip this to shreds (and bung it in the compost bin when you've finished)

[Potstubsdustbins]

My mate TK has just built one using a blue plastic drum on a steel frame. Well I say built when I last spoke to him he just had to fit the door.

So come on TK aka Plantation your a member now, post us some pics.

Potty

[veggiechicken]

Yes, come on out and join the fun Plantation............we know all about the size of your onions

[Brom]

Veggiechicken,
I think your idea would work quite well, however, I would recommend you use a plastic barrel as they are much lighter and easier to work with than steel. If you haven't got one handy I'd suggest having a word with a friendly farmer, they usually have a few lying about and most times will let you have it for nothing. Just make sure you know what's been in it.

We built our own, mostly from bits lying around the yard. Had to buy some parts though, hinges, fasteners and coach bolts (not too expensive from ebay). I was lucky that we had an old plastic barrel that had not had anything toxic in it. After I collected all the bits it took about three days to put together, I'm a slow worker but what's the rush.
A few pics of the finished product (think I may have posted these before, not sure, memory and old age you know ).

[alldigging]

Have it on the ground? Just roll it about and have something to stop it rolling most of the time?

[Bigmallly]

I made one identical to the above pics & to be fair found it really heavy to turn so I wouldn't bother unless you've got a horse to drag it round the garden.

[veggiechicken]

I'd forgotten about this completely............
I have a new crazy idea now - but its nothing to do with compost, but self watering vertical planters........
OK, I'll keep quiet about it.........

[george356]

I'd forgotten about this completely............
I have a new crazy idea now - but its nothing to do with compost, but self watering vertical planters........
OK, I'll keep quiet about it.........

Don't keep it to yourself, VC. I'd like to see it (pretty please?)

[Bigmallly]

I have a new crazy idea now - but its nothing to do with compost, but self watering vertical planters........

Wait for it to rain........................

[RedThorn]

Punching a shaft hole through .... I'd worry the metal would be too soft and it would tear... What about bearing housings cross braced inside with flat bar ... Will make it easier to turn... Then differential gears to a crank handle ..... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

[veggiechicken]

RT, we used to have a honey extractor (shaped like an old fashioned spin dryer tub), that was handcranked using a bicycle pedal mechanism. An even older beekeeper had hers linked into a bike frame so that she could sit on the saddle and pedal it. The faster she pedalled, the greater the centrifugal force that flung the honey from the frames.
Keep thinking...........

[RedThorn]

Perfect... Back and front low speed gearing from a bike would work a treat VC


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum mobile app

[veggiechicken]

Don't keep it to yourself, VC. I'd like to see it (pretty please?)

Just for you george because you asked so nicely

When you see pots attached to fences or walls to maximise growing area they're usually attached as single pots, either vertically or horizontally - like this


Imagine that the dark blue dot is the plant and the pale blue arrow shows the water flowing out of the pot into nothingness (or dripping on the plant below).

If each pot was attached to the wall at an angle of say 45 degrees, the plant would, by nature, correct its growth and grow up vertically (or with trailing plants drop vertically).
This would overcome the problem of water dropping onto the leaves of the plant beneath and give the plants more head room.

So, taking that thought on, if each diagonal pot, locked into the pot below in a zigzag pattern, the water would run from one pot into the one below - like this



The open blue circles indicate where additional plants could be grown, through holes cut from the pot.

This is a comparison of the number of pots you might get in a similar amount of space



Although I've said "pots" I think parallel sided "pots" would be better and something like square section downpipe might do the job

So there you are.......what have I overlooked?
.

[george356]

I wish I could like this more than once!!!

That is a brilliant idea!

4 inch square downpipe, right angle bends with a hole cut into the sides on the top face - I will trial it when I can get to our favourite DIY shed to get the material.

I will be the development team - you are the boffin!

[veggiechicken]

Let me know how it goes george - as I'm just an ideas person but hopeless at actually making things up.
Quick, how can we patent this before some scheming whizzkid comes along