What can windmills be used for? What are the pitfalls of windmill composting?

Limitations of Windrow Composting Although windrow composting offers advantages of simple operation and low investment costs, it also has some obvious limitations. This method requires relatively large, flat land areas and is susceptible to weather conditions. During rainy seasons, the piles are prone to waterlogging, leading to anaerobic fermentation and odor production. In dry seasons, frequent watering is necessary to prevent the piles from becoming too dry. Additionally, uneven natural ventilation often results in the outer layers of the pile maturing while the inner portions remain incompletely fermented. Windrow composting typically requires a fermentation period of 2-3 months, which is longer compared to other composting methods. Open-air storage can also lead to nitrogen loss through volatilization or leaching, affecting the final product’s fertilizer efficiency. Selecting Appropriate Turning Tools Choosing the right turning tools according to the composting scale is crucial. For home gardens and small composting projects, manual tools like three-prong rakes and wide-head shovels are both flexible and practical. For reduced labor intensity, small push-type compost turners are a good choice. For small to medium-sized farms, gasoline or electric-powered compost turners can significantly improve work efficiency, with turning depths reaching 50-80 cm and efficiency five times higher than manual labor. Large composting sites require professional windrow turners that not only have large processing capacities but also effectively break up clumps to ensure compost quality.