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Okla

Has anyone ever used one to separate rocks from there composted manure? I have been looking at a couple nice ones on the internet but there is no way I can afford to buy one. 900 bucks for the cheapist model I have found. http://www.multiscreener2000.com Here is one I have been looking at. There is a short video link at the top of the webpage.

2/18/2005 6:46:34 PM

Chico, Ca

go buy some 2x4's and some hardware cloth at you local hardware store, build a frame to size and cover the bottom with the cloth. you can make legs or put over your wheelbarrow.Then just shovel some composted doo and work it through the mesh. cost with nails, about 20-25 bucks or less.
look for 1/2" mesh hardwarecloth.

2/18/2005 6:58:29 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

I had the pleasure of picking up the smallest Diesel powered Royer Soil Shreader at the factory pickup discount price of $70,000.00 for a former employer. Sweet rig if you can borrow or rent one. It can work soil wet or dry.

2/18/2005 9:22:31 PM

Oakland, CA, USA

If you can find some good-quality 1X4 lumber (I got some old redwood at a lumber salvage yard), you can make a really nice screen with hardware cloth (i.e. 1/4" metal mesh) that is both lightweight and durable. I made mine 2' x 2' and it sits nicely on top of a standard wheelbarrow while I shovel in compost, and is then light enough for me to shake the compost back and forth to screen it (and then I mush the clods through by hand). Works great! Cost me $3 for the lumber and a little more for the hardware cloth. I put it together with little 1 1/2" finish nails and Elmer's Woodglue. -Erin.

2/19/2005 2:25:47 AM

Itzetown City

We did it last fall, look here:
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=30613

2/19/2005 10:04:39 AM

I made my own from a old automatic cloths washer, threw away case - agiator & inside tub. Mounted 1/2 of a fan guard onto the shaft, used a piece of vinal siding laced onto guard to make sides on fan guard. When you run washer on high speed it agiates the fan guard (which is metal) and seperates sticks stones or whatever from soil, good soil drops through guard into outer tub of washer. Won't win beauty contest but does what I want without a lot of work.

2/19/2005 6:42:52 PM

Montoursville, PA

Hey Poppy........that is a real Rube Goldberg, for sure. That sucker should be, in your diary, for all of us, to enjoy.

2/27/2005 12:00:38 PM

Cologne / Germany

I have this one (200 $) and it works great to load whellbarrows of fine topsoil in a short time:
http://www.atika.de/sieb.htm
Another model for the professional gardener (700 $):
http://www.kompostsieb.de/RS_400/body_rs_400.html
The method is also pretty good to reduce the weeds. I´m not sure you can get them in the US though.

2/27/2005 1:39:40 PM

Will get a picture as soon as possible, it's stored away at present but will be digging it out again sometime this month & will post for all to see LOL

3/1/2005 6:50:29 AM