The hydraulic compost turning machine—also known in the industry as a hydraulic lifting compost turner—is specifically designed for operations in long, concrete fermentation troughs. Powered by a high-pressure hydraulic station, the machine travels at a constant speed along rails on both sides of the trough. Its rotating drum tines dig deep into the material, simultaneously performing four key functions: turning, aeration, breaking up clumps, and slowly shifting the material backward. This process facilitates the rapid, high-temperature decomposition of organic materials within 7 to 15 days.

How does the hydraulic compost turning machine work?

Material Pre-treatment: Livestock manure, straw, and mushroom residue are mixed and adjusted for moisture content before being laid into the fermentation trough (2-6m wide, 0.8-1.8m deep). A half-wet material crusher may be used initially to break up large clumps and ensure the material layer remains loose.

Equipment Positioning: The hydraulic compost turner is positioned at the trough entrance; the PLC panel is used to set the travel speed, turning depth, and drum rotation speed.

Full-Process Turning: The machine moves along the track as the hydraulic drum cuts downward into the material layer. Anaerobic material from the bottom is turned to the surface, introducing air to promote aerobic bacterial growth, while alloy rake teeth break up any clumps.

Material Conveying: Rake teeth arranged in a spiral pattern steadily move the material toward the discharge end. Once fermentation is complete, the material is discharged directly from the end of the trough for subsequent crushing and granulation.

Trough Switching: A transfer carriage allows a single machine to serve multiple fermentation troughs, significantly reducing equipment procurement costs.

What raw materials are suitable for the hydraulic compost turning machine?

Livestock and poultry manure: Chicken, cattle, pig, sheep, and duck manure;

Agricultural by-products: Crop stalks, peanut shells, spent mushroom substrate, sugarcane filter mud, and distillers' grains;

Solid waste resource recovery: Municipal dewatered sludge, slaughterhouse waste, garden trimmings/branches, and fermented kitchen waste feedstock.

It is not suitable for materials containing excessive stones or metal debris; it is recommended to install screening and impurity-removal equipment upstream, such as a rotary screen, to intercept hard debris.

In which industries are hydraulic compost turning machines used?

Commercial organic fertilizer plants: Essential fermentation equipment for production lines of powdered and granular organic fertilizers, covering the full capacity range of 10,000 to 100,000 tons per year; the complete granular fertilizer production process involves fermentation, crushing, and granulation, with two mainstream granulation options available: disc granulators and double-roller extrusion granulators.

Large-scale livestock and poultry farms: On-site composting of manure and waste to enable a crop-livestock circular system and address environmental compliance issues regarding waste discharge.

Municipal solid waste treatment centers: Harmless composting of sludge, allowing the product to be reused for landscaping and greening after meeting standards.

Edible mushroom production bases: Secondary decomposition of spent mushroom substrate to produce fertilizer-grade growing media.

How should the hydraulic compost turning machine be maintained on a daily basis?

Daily pre-start check

Check the hydraulic oil level and inspect oil lines for leaks; clear debris from the tracks; and run the machine without a load for 3 minutes.

Weekly maintenance: Tighten all rake-tooth bolts, check the lubrication of travel wheel bearings, and remove any straw wrapped around the drum.

Quarterly maintenance

Replace the hydraulic filter element, check hydraulic pressure readings, and apply grease to the travel chains.

Long-term shutdown

Raise the drum so it is suspended off the ground, drain accumulated water from the lines, and cover the electrical control cabinet to protect it from moisture.

Stock up on wear parts

Rake teeth, oil seals, and hydraulic hoses are consumables; purchasing them in bulk reduces downtime during repairs.

Thanks to their flexible hydraulic power, deep-turning capabilities, and adaptability to complex organic feedstocks, hydraulic compost turning machines have become the standard equipment for large-scale organic fertilizer fermentation in China. Whether for the resource utilization of livestock manure or the establishment of commercial fertilizer plants, hydraulic models offer superior long-term stability and operational tolerance compared to standard mechanical versions whenever a channel-based aerobic fermentation process is planned. Huaqiang Heavy Industry provides comprehensive services, including on-site surveys, blueprint design, and installation guidance; for customized solutions tailored to specific raw materials and facility dimensions, please explore the detailed information on organic fertilizer fermentation equipment available on our website.