How To Build An Automatic Compost Sifter / Trommel Using A Cement Mixer & Trash Can

This homemade compost sifting machine can be built at a fraction of the cost vs store bought turn key models using readily available materials and just a few basic tools. Save time, money and your back as you sift through tons of compost, soil, woodchips etc. The end product is a beautiful finely processed compost perfect for planters, seedlings, amending new garden beds, making compost tea, re-filling raised beds.
Here is a complete materials list for this build:
(1) Harbor Freight 3-1/2 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer: www.harborfreight.com/search?...
(1) Witt Industries EXP-52RD Steel 48-Gallon Outdoor Waste Receptacle: amzn.to/2SYgzha
(Currently $169.00. Check all colors for best price)
(1) 1/4-In. Galvanized Mesh Hardware Cloth: amzn.to/2T3cKrm
(1) 6 ft. 2 X 4
(6) 1-1/2 in. Anchor Points
(6) 1/4 in. X 7-3/4 in. Turnbuckle Hook/ Hook or Eye/Hook
(2) Rubber Caster Wheel with Rigid Non-Swivel Top Plate - 3-Inch
(2) 3/4 in. x 48 in. Round Steel Stake
(2) Blue Hawk 4-cu ft Steel Wheelbarrow (Purchased from Lowes)
(2) 3/8 in. X 4 in. Eye Hook
(12) 1/4 in. X 1/2 in. Hex Bolts
(8) 1/4 in. X 2 in. HexBolts
(20) 1/4 in. Nylon Lock Nuts
(20) 1/4 in. Flat Washers
(1) Bag of Zip Ties
(1) Drain Cover for Waste Container
And Here The The Tools Needed:
Drill
Phillips Head Screwdriver or Drill Attachment
7/32 Metal Drill Bit
5/16 Metal Drill Bit
3/8 Metal Drill Bit
1 in. Wood Drill Bit
11 mm Socket & Wrench
11 mm Metric Combination Wrench
Circular or Hand Saw
Greg Smith KZbin Channel:
• Trommel cement mixer
• Trommel attachment for...

[@tee2899]

Videos like this are the reason I don't go to sleep until 3am. Love watching them

[@dawn6954]

Haha isnt it the truth!!! 😂

[@ERMAV]

I love doing them !

[@LetsReviewThisS]

Currently 340

[@javier0304]

So addicting and then you find yourself shopping for the materials

[@cheritait8116]

Yep!

[@gabbygertie8709]

As a 70 year old handicapped grandma this is absolutely the answer to my prayers! I have been screening my compost by hand and it takes hours of backbreaking effort. I already have the cement mixer so this is going to the top of my husband's honey do list! I can't wait and neither can my back!

[@ussweeneyd]

Only a brave man films the first try out. Great job and good project.

[@MichaelSmith-hs5iu]

He's not only brave, he's confident and aware there are always minor and sometimes major adjustments

[@bethatz252]

I can hardly wait to show my "non-gardening" husband your invention. I think he'll make it for me because you did a great job of demonstrating how to do it. Thanks.

[@lillysimeoni5080]

I bought the same concrete mixer when it went on sale for Christmas specifically to mix soil and make aircrete. I use vermiculture, compost, humus, goat, rabbit, duck, chicken and quail manure to make my own soil and needed an easy way to mix it all for different uses. Your idea is an awesome implement for me, def will make it! Planting season is in full mode now and I can’t seem to mix soil fast enough to plant and mulch all my gardens. Thank you for the video!!

[@IowaKim]

I love this idea, especially using a mesh trash can.. I already have a cement mixer and you have given me the idea to trundle that out to my compost yard and use it for sifting and combining materials. Thanks much!

[@davesims3471]

Absolutely love it! I've been kicking around ideas in my head for a while now and this NAILS IT! Already have so many ways to use this around the gardens! Now to convince the wife I need more garden tools!

[@that_auntceleste5848]

See and here i am waiting for my husband to retire so he can build me one! 😆

[@markjust86]

​@@that_auntceleste5848 and I need a wife to tell me that I can or can't make one! 😂

[@kevchard5214]

I am a big fan of multipurpose tools and have looked at a mixer for a while now but couldn't justify a single use tool. With your genius idea I now can justify a mixer. Thank you very much!!!!!

[@andrewehrmantraut4742]

This is genius!!! I wish I had this yesterday when I sifted my compost for my beds and pots. I like how you didnt edit out the mistake, made me lol and proves you're still human! Either way, freakin genius.

[@alexballstoyou6335]

@@mrgallbladder what?

[@WaddedBliss]

That sifted compost at the end is brown gold. Beautiful.

[@nelsonolivera8059]

I think you are a genius because you were able to simplify it to the point that I might take a shot at building it. Thank you for your generosity, clarity and for being able to teach. Namaste, Nelson

[@downundervlogs]

What a fantastic way to harvest compost. I have to say I really enjoyed sitting back watching you do all the work shovelling the compost in, I was quite mesmerized by watching it turn and sift. Great job.

[@Bearclaws1234]

This video is awesome. This has got to be one of the TOP KZbin / DIY type videos I’ve ever seen, and I watch a lot of KZbin. Great outlining and presentation. Hats off to you!! Keep ‘em coming! Thanks!

[@JG-fg1ye]

This is the best design I have seen so far

[@bigdogbob845]

Nice Dan ! ! ! Looks like you re-purposed a cement mixer. I made my own 10 years ago, it is 6ft long with 4 ea x 27" bicycle rims to support the 1/2" mesh heavy wire drum, swivel casters on a wood frame and an old washing machine motor for power, works great. I even lend it out to neighbors who have compost piles, they love it too.

[@corinneyeager]

Thank YOU ‼️‼️‼️

[@that_auntceleste5848]

Howdy Neighbor! 😂

[@MarkBohland]

Thank You! I am not mechanically inclined, so something with simple instructions and simple processes like this is invaluable. Thanks Again!

[@markluke8447]

Thank you Dan, for sharing your projects. This is a good idea and to see your building process helps us all in doing our own. Good job, great video. Thank you.

[@RustyCarnahan]

I use one of these cement mixers as a livestock feed mixer. A setup like this could also serve as a grain cleaner. Food for thought

[@mindy779]

Wow you are the MacGyver of gardening. This is a most excellent project. Thank you for the instructions. 😄👍😄

[@mobyindisguise]

You Sir, are a genius, superb thinking outside of the box and you've still got a cement mixer to boot!

[@my_permaculture]

This is so genius! Wow. Looks like a pro tool one could buy! Thank you for sharing!

[@NatalyaBerezneva]

Thank you so much for sharing! We are going to make one ASAP. This is must have for all gardeners and small farms.

[@smokymountaingirl]

researching ideas all day for my newly worm casting farm and harvesting project and this is EXACTLY what I am going to do if I can find someone to help me.

[@JasonEyestone]

I clicked the like button right after I heard “you can also use it as a soil mixer”. Thanks nice video

[@Mityob67]

Love it when a plan comes together! Great content, thank you sir!

[@backyardgrillmaster2910]

Every once in a while you run past the video that's like takes your breath away and this is definitely one this this this this this this this helps me out so much on two fronts I thank you for your time😮😮😮😊

[@chri8067]

I'm 10 seconds into the video and saying this is an excellent idea and project.

[@t.barclay203]

Wow! What a clever idea and execution!!! You are a gifted teacher. Thank you!

[@bracebridgelionsclub5223]

Thoroughly liked this video. So informative, clear, concise and helpful. I especially enjoyed the professional grade production values and choice of music. As a beginning vermicomposter, I have struggled with the question of how I will create a trommel when the time comes and now I have an answer. Thanks.

[@Anvil-Blacksmith]

I have made one 2 years ago i drilled no holes in the trommel and i have screwed a piece of wood at the mixer foot to improve the stability of the mixer . This is also a nice idea ! Happy sifting!

[@twinpalmsvideo2741]

as a new gardener, this vid is an inspiration. I just bought some dirt, peat moss, etc. and I was thinking how to mix it. I never thought of the cement mixer, which I also have an old harbor freight mixer. Thanks.

[@sumerbreze46]

I brought my harbor Freight Concrete mixer to mix my ingredients for potting soil. I did see this idea before, but your setup with the metal mesh trash can is and wheel casters is better. Great Job!

[@jacklong311]

I love that you were not afraid to show you errors. Good job and what at great machine.

[@MikeKincaid79]

That's ingenious! I've got to put one of those together, thanks!

[@debraarizona4809]

That is another awesome invention,you thought of everything.✋[high five!👍 I can think of several ways to use the machine.💕💕love it!!💕🤗 I like my potting soil,and garden soil sifted,and free of twigs,rocks,etc. I don't have to sift by hand now! 😀 This creation is another stroke of genus!!! Fabulous!creation,well done.👍🤗🌹. Excited!! to save and get one put together.🤗🤗 Thank you for sharing Genus😁

[@solidsoldier9021]

GREAT JOB SOLDIER 🪖, HARBOR FREIGHT HERE I COME.

[@vlvtopcat]

Awesome job thinking outside the basket lol.Works great.A great multi use tool.God Bless

[@auniciasharpe7293]

Sir!!!!! Super informative video!!! I seriously love the options here. I need a soil mixing option AND a sifter. This is perfect! And thank you for being specific about the parts needed. I also appreciate the trouble shooting! OUTSTANDING and super helpful video. Many thanks!!!😊😊

[@patriciarussell8450]

Great video I'm gonna start saving for a mixer, I see the value in a multi-use tool. Thanks for showing details and even little hangups or opportunities to make improvements to make it easy, Thanks.

[@Rec_it_Roop]

one of the best i've seen. simple. easy.

[@stuffbywoody5497]

Thank you for this. You have given me some ideas for a stationary system that I want to put together.

[@plantabundance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@susiedixon6835]

Yeah me 2. Esp startin a green house its gonna be such a big help. Much appreciated. 👍

[@robertevans8024]

Mister, that was awesome !!!!! Ya gotta love compost !

[@eCitizen1]

I am making something very similar to this. Thanks for the video. I really appreciate it. I have an old steel drum I can repurpose and cut and fit some screen in it. I have all the supplies except the turnbuckles. It should turn out pretty good thanks to all your great tips.

[@dsbennett]

Excellent! Except that I read a comment for a different mixer that cost around $170 where the person said he bought that one after reading comments about this mixer. I didn't even know there was a basket like this. Perfect!

[@herbkronholm2781]

Thank you for sharing and all the information. I built this same unit this past summer with some slight modifications and it works perfectly. A Milwaukee m18 leaf blower keeps the 1/4” mesh free and clear of wet mulch during operation. Thanks again as you saved my back along with valuable time.

[@littlesinman]

This is cool! its worth just for mixing potting mix, thanks for the great share!

[@roseannerainwatersmith12]

I really really love this. Genius!

[@matsvineyard7564]

the best version of a composter I have seen yet,

[@doctoreden]

Brilliance is in simplicity! Excellent idea.

[@grahamedwards9634]

1 Minute in and this is brilliant needed this 8 years ago to do the soil thumbs up from me

[@JohnVance]

This is absolutely brilliant. I'm making one.

[@laurielehman915]

Oh this is great! We have this cement mixer! Thanks for sharing. 🥳🙋🏼👍🏻

[@tombouie]

Well Done & Communicated. Minor important: Remove the TOP half of the mixing drum/tub & mount the sieving drum/tub onto the BOTTOM half.

[@froissart1]

This is a really great build and exactly what I was looking for to sift my compost! Thank you!

[@kimmokannala4576]

This is exactly my idea! Thank you for build + test!!

[@jamesc9327]

You did an awesome job on your soil sifter sir. I wish to thank you for sharing your experience and video on KZbin. I can't wait to build incredible soul sifter. Adding the 1/4" mesh was an excellent idea. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@user-dx3os1yf2v]

Молодец!!! Просто и с запасом применения. Молодец!

[@meltcat4]

Very nice! Love your genius mind! Thank you for sharing.

[@franklord7804]

Great detailed description and great video! Thanks so much for saving me so much time.

[@deh773]

That was awesome and looks like anyone could do that. So Genius!

[@debmartindale6991]

What an ingenious compost sifter!

[@janeenbreyman212]

Love it! Mistakes and all!

[@koruki]

This is so satisfying to watch

[@girosmargara]

Very very good job!!!!....from spain thank's!!!!

[@dmwark]

serious sifter envy here

[@sweetbaboo2698]

Brilliant. Engeneering at its simplest expression.

[@jeffbrown9060]

Excellent explanation. Thank you.

[@75blackviking]

Brilliant. I have no other words...

[@benthere8051]

Very well done. Great ideas.

[@bootburner4544]

Brilliant! Perfect solution that I was looking for.

[@stevebabiak6997]

Since you obviously visit Harbor Freight, I suggest you get their very inexpensive center punch to indent the center of the places on the metal where you intend to drill holes. That way the drill bits will be less likely to “walk” around the intended hole location.

[@RichardCMongler]

Love the cement mixer, never again will I have to mix my soil blends on a tarp or with a shovel.

[@titaminnie]

You are really good Dan, very impressive!!...

[@heidiw8406]

Cool project. Thank you for your great videos.

[@BobMelsimpleliving.]

Good build Dan. Very nice. Best wishes Bob.

[@adirondackjack]

Nice job, The garbage can was delivered yesterday & I'm assembling the cement mixer today! Then off to hardware store to track down the hardware. Hope it comes out as nice as yours did.

[@santiagomercado4523]

What a great idea! Very nice way of using one machine to do 2 different task. Thanks.

[@dawn6954]

Brilliant as always!

[@wpchastain]

That is so cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@veronamartin5285]

My partner has worked in concert finishing for almost 20 years. Last year we moved in together and he brought home a huge load of garden dirt that a client didn’t want anymore. The garden was removed to make room for more parking. He dumped it in a pile in our backyard. I used to work at a Hotel years ago and they changed out their furniture. Staff we’re allowed to take the old furniture home for free once they had sold what they could to the public. I took the Queen sized headboards home. They came with me wherever I went. So I used 8 to build two garden boxes and filled them with the same dirt he brought home. I have enough boards to build two more but not enough dirt. The pile that was leftover ended up growing grass & weeds. I covered it with a tarp & rocks to help kill them. I’m going to ask my partner to bring a cement mixer home so we can put something like this together. This will help shorten the waiting process and I can always build the two boxes & add dirt as I get it. The garden boxes are doing amazing and I have been outside all summer making improvements to the yard. I’m mostly fixing the stuff given to us. I can add the garden boxes, dirt & weed fabric to the list of things we have gotten for free. I call it free-cycling. ❤

[@wendyknoxleet]

You are brilliant. I really want to make this! Hope I can find the components here in the U.K.! I make a lot of compost.

[@clivecollins3778]

If you found a bin in the uk please forward details I can only find household bins Brilliant idea THANKS

[@frrapp2366]

i think i would make a stand alone end support just so i could move the coarse material wheelbarrow. also some wider or even dueled wheels would make it more stable. great build and so much simpler to make and use than many

[@garybarnes3998]

Awesome job, thanks for sharing!

[@susanmyer1]

Love the build. Hubby already watching the video again. 🤩

[@PlantObsessed]

Made sure hubby was captive when I played it... Hint hint honey😍

[@autumnspring6624]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this!👍

[@adamneusbaum3749]

Loved that first shovel!!!!

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

Great project thanks for sharing!

[@claudeirby1561]

i just really enjoyed the background music.

[@londonpickering8675]

Damn impressive! Thank you for taking the time to post this.

[@plantabundance]

Thank you! :)

[@robertjames-life4768]

Brilliant! Thanks for sharing

[@mickleblade]

Excellent, I need it for sieving limestone for a finer powder, maybe I'll use it for compost afterwards!

[@ScarletJannaStaAna]

Man! That is so genius...

[@CreativeV3]

Thank you very much!

[@bobschwaller5293]

Great idea. I'm doing this.

[@erNomic]

I'm impressed

[@Johna197529a]

You are a genius. Thanks

[@younghovan]

Wow! I need it now!

[@threegreengenerations]

Awesome setup.

[@michaelgavin7621]

Well done!!!

[@AlvinMcManus]

Really good video! For me I would use my drill/driver to tighten all those nuts. Also turnbuckles are easily adjusted using a flat head screwdriver of at least 6 inch length so you don't risk skinning your knuckles. Gotta love the utility of concrete stakes or a length of #4 rebar.