Dirt, Soil, Compost Screener - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

SkunkWerX · 05-21-2008, 08:08 AM

Hello folks,

This past weekend I built a rudimentary gravity fed Dirt/Soil/Compost Screener. It's the basic wire mesh, fastened to 2x4s, and set at about a 50 degree angle.

The dirt, or in my case, compost, is loaded with the front end loader, to the top of the screen, and as it rolls down the screen, the small stuff falls through, and the sticks, clumps and rocks roll off down to the bottom.

I used leftover vinyl coated fencing wire (because I had it, so it was free!). The openings in the wire are approx. 1" x 2", which seems large, but, suprisingly, it provided some pretty fine, fluffy screened compost about the consistancy of potting soil.

I have at least one full yard of screened material now, so, with that, I will claim a small success.

No pics, it's pretty basic, and pretty ugly. It's portable with folding upright legs that have cross braces, and a piece of chain to keep the thing from collapsing when folded out into its working position.

For an idea of what kind it is, I'll link this photo, from another forum, [credits to it's builder]. However, mine is much uglier.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/build-yourself/42700d1123516643-need-ideas-rock-screen-filter-709790-soilscreen.jpg

So, for anyone thinking about this one, it's a pretty EASY build, it's NOT time consuming and there is pretty quick gratification.

Caution: I wouldn't drop any fill dirt on it that contained large rocks, fist size would be OK, but basketball size would take it's toll on the wire mesh.
For real rocky soil, I am thinking a screen made from something more stout would be in order, perhaps Chain link fencing could take more punishment?

I'll post some pics later on.

Now that I am actually screening material, my mind is drifting into "Motorized" screening.

I have a 5HP horiz. shaft Honda engine, and am thinking about using pullies and a belt drive to make it shake. Make the grate out of expanded metal, and set it on coil springs.
Any ideas about that?

**Ducati996** · 05-21-2008, 06:08 PM

You are on to a great idea and concept - DIY is the way to go. I cant tell you how much material I bring to my wholesaler, who then screens and basically sells it back to me in screened fill or topsoil or mulch. Of course they have an amazing facility, but having something like this below, would do wonders for profitability for anyone in short order.

SkunkWerX · 05-21-2008, 07:46 PM

Duc, DIY is all anyone can afford! I have found little "hobby gardener" toy models that are loaded by shovel, then they jump right up to the "big boys" like you pictured. There are a few intermediate shakers, but they still run $8k or so, ouch!.

My buddy at the golf course grabbed a small Royer at auction, has a little shaker and conveyor belt, but needs wheels, tires and a motor. And still, suffers when loaded with a front end loader. He needs it for creating extra fines for putting greens.

Here is a link to a video of the type he has that needs refurb:
YouTube - Model 42F Screener

I'll go grab a pic of my contraption b4 dark.

SkunkWerX · 05-21-2008, 08:05 PM

Here is the ugly spud, right here:
http://usera.imagecave.com/skunkwerx/SoilScreener.jpg

And one more pic, next to the pile that is already screened:
http://usera.imagecave.com/skunkwerx/SoilScreener2.jpg

The total cost to build was impressive, coming in at $0.00

**PaulChristenson** · 05-21-2008, 08:10 PM

First...drop your slope of your screen down to 5 to 10%??...
Second...attach a lobed-cam to the shaft of your motor
...which is attached to a race on an interior NON WEIGHT BEARING verticle leg
...which is attached to an inner frame holding the screen
...the moveable inner frame and the fixed outer frame are connected with 4 inch?? long slotted brackets only on the sides...NOT the ends

As the cam turns it shifts the inner verticle leg forward and back a couple of inches...which shakes the screen mounted on the inner frame so that the dirt balls will break down and fall thru...all the larger junk will slowly work its way down the gentle slope to fall in the debris pile...

SkunkWerX · 05-21-2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulChristenson

First...drop your slope of your screen down to 5 to 10%??...
Second...attach a lobed-cam to the shaft of your motor
...which is attached to a race on an interior NON WEIGHT BEARING verticle leg
...which is attached to an inner frame holding the screen
...the moveable inner frame and the fixed outer frame are connected with 4 inch?? long slotted brackets only on the sides...NOT the ends

As the cam turns it shifts the inner verticle leg forward and back a couple of inches...which shakes the screen mounted on the inner frame so that the dirt balls will break down and fall thru...all the larger junk will slowly work its way down the gentle slope to fall in the debris pile...

Paul, I have a 5.5hp Horiz. shaft Honda motor waiting for this. I'm going to mount the screening tray(s) on coil springs.
I wouldn't attach a lobed cam directly to the motor.

I will isolate the vibration from the motor through use of a belt drive, and fabricate a weighted/eccentric flywheel pully/sheave assembly attached to the side of the vibratory tray/screen.
I will adjust weighted eccentric as well as the speed (via engine RPM and/or pully diameter) until achieving the proper harmonic vibration for the unit.
Not that I've given it too much thought.

But yeah, similar idea.

And also, make interchangeable screen trays as well as make the tray support angle adjustable from 5 degrees off of horizontal up to 45 degrees for handling a wide variety of various materials.

SoilScreener · 05-27-2008, 09:42 AM

Hello SkunkWerX,

I saw my screener in your post & felt I had to reply. I'm the guy that builds the Model 42F & I want to pass on some encouragement to you with your own screener.

I looked at the pics of your screener, & was going to suggest that if you motorize the machine you'll be able to lower the screen angle to 18 degrees or so. Depending on the "throw" action of the screen, you can go with lower angles. Your design is what we call a "A-Frame" Screener (since it looks like an A from the side).
As far as front end loader issues with our screener, we have a new one coming out this summer that will specifically address that.

Best of luck with your project

Charlie
Royer Notheast

**Ducati996** · 05-27-2008, 10:04 AM

Welcome Charlie (Soil-Screener) to the Machine Underground!

sounds like you know a thing or two about soil screener's - could use one myself instead of paying others to do for me twice -

Let me know if advertising here is of something of interest for you?

Welcome aboard and please make yourself at home at the M.U!

Duc

SoilScreener · 05-27-2008, 10:12 AM

Thanks Duc,

Appreciate the welcome. We're always interested in new avenues to promote our products & services, that's when we're not playing in the dirt that is!

Charlie
Royer Northeast