Go Bottomcompost storage
 | tsjr54
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 17 Southeast Texas 
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2004-07-09 90410
I do use a lot of compost and had several bins which I
would "manually" mix from one bin to another. But now with
my new BX23 FEL I can move and mix easly but the bucket
wouldn't fit in the bins. No problem really just dismantled
the bins Just hog panels covered with chicken wire!
But now I have one BIG pile. I'd like to build a bigger bin
or something like it. Anyone done this? Or built one that will last.
Thanks Tom
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 | bmlekki
Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 185 Upstate, NY
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2004-07-09 90421
I've heard of people using hay bales to contain the pile. I believe there was a disscusion about this not to long ago..
I've just have been waiting to drive by one of the farmers homes and pick up 8 or so bales and a load of black gold to help start up my pile... ....
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
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2004-07-09 90450
I don't know how seriously you want to get into composting, but we have a serious amount of grass, etc., to compost every year.
We also had an area of 'bulk storage' for things like gravel, sand, topsoil, etc., to deal with.
The solution was our local concrete redi-mix company. They always have a little bit left in the truck when they come back from a job that they have to dump out. What we did was to make up some forms for blocks about 18" square and 24" long. There are 'keys' in two opposing sides, one concave, one convex, and they dis-assemble for re-use. We leave them at the concrete yard, when the drivers come in with left-overs they pour it in the forms. A couple days later we pick them up and strip the forms. They stack up like big Lego blocks. Best of all they're free.
It may seem like over-kill but there is quite a bit of force generated if you get a little over-ambitious with the FEL in digging and turning over the pile.
Best of luck. ....
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| tsjr54
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 17 Southeast Texas
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2004-07-09 90454
To me thats not overkill! I was thinking along that line.
As in blocks or heavy wall pipe for a frame. I won't even
think about wooden posts they won't last down here.Too much
humidity.As I'm allready seriously into composting.having
several contacts with local farmers w/cows and one rabit farmer, I get plenty of manure to add to the mix of wood chips from my 8hp chipper.And just can't get enough leaves!
Thanks for your input.
Tom ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2004-07-09 90457
Tom, as long as we're thinking along the same lines, here's a couple of points further.
If you do make a serious bin, seriously consider concrete, especially for the floor, you will lose a lot ofvaluable moisture due to evapouration and absorbtion by the earth. Concrete solves that nicely, and as I stated, it can be REAL cheap.
If you need more 'greens' for your composter, contact the parks dept. and or any local cemetaries in your area, a lot of them are REALLY happy to have someone help reduce the amount of grass clippings they have to deal with.
Best of luck. ....
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 | lucerne
Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 192 Lucerne Maine
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2004-07-09 90468
As Murf was saying about the town and cemetaries, also, local lawn care companys for leaves and grass, local florists for wilted flowers/plants. They usally give the soil and all with the plants. Our local dump gets the clippings, leaves and waste from all these and more. They roll the pile with a huge loader for about a year, then give it away. I got 7-14 yard loads last year, to do my lot around the house, then planted winter rye. It smells untill the grass starts. I found just about anything you can think of, toy trucks, sneakers,a cue ball,sprinkler, hand held garden hoe what ever a mower or a raker will pick up. But the stuff is great and it's free. ....
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley
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2004-07-10 90490
I do a miniature version of what Lucerne mentioned. It's just a shallow excavation not quite 2' deep and in the shade. I just push back the compost in the fall and take out what I need. Then, fill it with leaves, needles and partially composted kitchen parings etc. from two bins, add a bit of lime and fertilizer and cover it with the remaining compost from previous years. My wife digs down a bit and takes what she needs periodically since the material on top is fairly well composted
The mound starts off at least 1' above grade in the fall. I turn it a couple of times during the summer and again when I add new leaves. By fall the mound is back down to grade level. This year I'll add some topsoil to the covering. Doing it this way seem to take about a year. Some sort of box that provides better aeration and moisture would work better but what I'm doing works for my needs. ....
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| tsjr54
Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 17 Southeast Texas
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2004-07-11 90539
Murf Thanks
A slab is most likely the way I'll go.What do you think
about sectioning of the slab with a wall maybe 2' to 3'
tall and three sections to "move" or mix the compost into
as I have done in the past only on a smaller scale and manually? As you mentioned before the FEL or "operator"
can use a little to much force in digging! Yhe wall would
just keep things in place.Again something strong, Blocks
or concrete wall.
I checked out your pic's nice place, how do you find time for any R&R.
Tom
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2004-07-12 90635
Tom, I think sectioning is a great idea, we do a similar thing, just on a bigger scale. One section is fresh stuff, one is aging, and the third is finished 'brewing' and is being used.
Thanks for the compliment, it is a big job, but a little effort at staying on top of it constantly makes it easier.
I have a few more projects I want to get done, some bigger, some small. The first one is to build a large natural-looking water feature in the center of the grass island in front of the house. The water will be pumped from the pond, go through the feature, then filter back down through the clear sand subsoil back to the ground water, aerating and cleaning it as it goes. I'm not sure it will be done this year, but the plans are almost finished.
Past that my wife wants a greenhouse, I think I'm going to put up a larger than normal one and put it over the pool as well to extend the season a little.
Best of luck. ....
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