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When I first started my compost pile, I didn't chop up/shred some things properly. I was thinking of running the weed-eater inside the bin for a few seconds to shred things up.

Is that a bad idea? I was thinking it could kill some beneficial critters like earthworms... are there other reasons I shouldn't do that?

It actually sounds quite dangerous.

Judging from the angle I personally would have to stand viz-a-viz my BioStack bin to get anything like a weed eater into it, the risk of a kickback from the weed eater is quite high.

Something that long and that powerful has quite a bit of momentum going for it. Judge for yourself, by how much control you have to exert over that weed eater when using it on grass and such.

If you proceed with this plan, be sure to wear sturdy eye protection, ear protection, tie your hair back out of your face, tuck your shirt into your pants, wear sturdy shoes, and wear leather work gloves. Long sleeves wouldn't go amiss, either.

And be SURE someone else is nearby within shouting distance, to either help you directly or call 911 if something goes wrong.

Be sure the weed eater has a "dead-man" switch as well: if you lose control and cannot hold down the power button, a "dead-man" switch will automatically turn the machine off.

Please do NOT do this.

Compost is not a race to the finish.

When you turn your compost, fish out the large pieces then, and chop them up with pruning shears, branch loppers, or other non-powered tools.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

It takes more patience, but all those big things will break down eventually.

When faced with the same situation, I usually take the lopping shear and shovel into the pile. It is usually a chain saw type job, not a weed eater.

Most of the time, I just wait for the little critters in the pile to break that stuff up.

You can always start a second pile and shred that pile into smaller bits as you go. The stuff in the old pile you can(shred a little at a time) add it to the new pile. just an idea

Eek! Cynthia, I think you've convinced me not to try the weed-eater! I'll keep doing what I'm doing, making sure the new material I add is well broken down and chopping up the pile as I turn it every few days. Thanks, both of you, for the replies!

ROFL!!! I can just picture goop flying everywhere! No that I'm ;laughing at you or your idea, I've had some similar ones myself-I asked my husband to borrow his electric drill with an extra long bit.....

Gerrie, I swear, I remind myself of Lucy and Ethel with some of my schemes. People have told me I need my only reality show because of the fixes I get into... thanks to this thread, flying horse poop and rotted lettuce will not be one of them!!