Windrow Compost Turning Machine

The windrow compost turning machine——also known as a crawler-type compost turner——is a core piece of specialized fermentation equipment within organic fertilizer production lines. It is primarily used to turn and ferment materials such as livestock manure and agricultural waste, serving as a key machine in the aerobic dynamic composting process. Simply put, it employs mechanical means to periodically turn, break up, and mix organic materials piled on the ground, allowing oxygen to fully penetrate the material mass and thereby accelerating the fermentation and decomposition process.

Basic Operating Principle of the Windrow Compost Turning Machine

The windrow compost turning machine utilizes a diesel engine with a split-path transmission system: one path drives the crawler undercarriage for forward movement, reversing, and steering, while the other drives the transverse turning drum located beneath the chassis via a reduction gear mechanism. The drum is densely fitted with wear-resistant alloy steel tines and features a hydraulic lifting system, allowing for flexible adjustment of the turning depth to accommodate varying windrow heights. As the machine moves, the tines continuously turn the windrow material, lifting wet, anaerobic material from the bottom to the surface for aeration and mixing dry surface material into the lower layers. This process increases material porosity, enabling aerobic bacteria to absorb oxygen and proliferate effectively; it maintains a stable high temperature of 55–70°C within the pile—killing insect eggs and pathogens—while preventing the formation of foul-smelling gases like ammonia and hydrogen sulfide associated with anaerobic fermentation.

In the complete fermentation workflow, the crawler type compost turner processes wet manure feedstock that has undergone preliminary solid-liquid separation. The fermented, decomposed material is then fed into a semi-wet material crusher for size reduction, followed by processing in a disc granulator and rotary dryer to produce finished organic fertilizer granules, ensuring a seamless, closed-loop production process.

In which industries are crawler type compost turners used?

Crawler type compost turners have a wide range of applications, meeting the organic waste composting needs of various industries.

Large-scale Livestock Farms

The equipment can operate directly inside livestock housing to process manure (such as chicken, cattle, and pig manure), eliminating the need for manure transport. Livestock manure has high moisture content, and farm sites are often open-air areas with soft ground that becomes muddy in the rain; crawler-type equipment effectively overcomes these challenges.

Organic Fertilizer Plants

The equipment efficiently handles various composting feedstocks, including livestock manure, crop straw, sawdust, food waste, and herbal medicine residues. There is no need to build fermentation tanks; materials are simply piled into long windrows, and the turner periodically mixes and pulverizes the material to facilitate aerobic decomposition.

Sludge Treatment Plants &Outdoor Composting Sites

The equipment flexibly processes materials such as municipal sludge and spent mushroom substrate. For highly seasonal agricultural waste like crop straw and vegetable processing residues, users do not need to construct expensive composting facilities; they can simply stack the material into windrows on open ground for periodic turning.

Why are windrow compost turning machines becoming increasingly popular?

All-Terrain Capability

Featuring widened and thickened crawler tracks, the ground pressure is only one-third to one-quarter that of wheeled equipment. It operates smoothly on muddy post-rain surfaces, soft ground, and gentle slopes without getting stuck or slipping.

No Infrastructure Required

Operations can be conducted on any leveled open space; there is no need to construct fermentation pits or rails. Compared to pit-style turning systems, civil engineering investment is reduced by over 70%, and the equipment can be easily resold or relocated.

One-Person Operation

A single unit requires only one operator—replacing the need for 8 to 12 manual laborers—saving over 800 yuan in labor costs per day. Certain fully automated models support unattended operation.

Uniform Turning

A powerful rotating blade shaft penetrates to the bottom layer of the material, achieving a turning uniformity of over 95%. The fermentation cycle is shortened by more than 50% compared to traditional methods, with the process completed in as little as 7 to 15 days.

Wear-Resistant and Durable

Core components utilize wear-resistant materials, and the thickened high-manganese steel tracks offer a service life of over eight years. Annual maintenance costs are 30% to 40% lower than those of wheeled equipment.