Mantis ComposTumbler Instructions Manual

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Page 1

ORIGINAL

Instructions

Assembly

Page 2

Dear Friend:

Thank you for purchasing the Original ComposTumbler. Properly assembled and

operated, your new tumbler can go on giving you rich, healthy compost for years.

And that in turn will give you a healthier, more beautiful and productive

lawn and garden – naturally.

Your Original ComposTumbler has been shipped ready to be assembled. All of the

parts and pieces you will need are included–all you supply are the proper tools

and the labor.

This manual is designed to help you through the step-by-step assembly process

and make it an easy and painless operation.

The entire assembly can be completed by just one person, although there are steps

that would be easier with a second pair of hands!

You will probably find it easiest to assemble your Original ComposTumbler on or

near the place where you intend to use it. While the completed assembly isn’t heavy,

it is somewhat bulky and awkward to move.

Work on a smooth surface to prevent scratching the paint on the drum.

Before you start:

Take the time to read this manual completely before you actually start the assembly.

That way you can avoid any surprises halfway through the job.

Check the “Tools You Will Need” list below and make sure you have all of them

handy. Having the proper tools can make the assembly much faster and easier.

Then, check over the parts included and compare them against the parts list on

Pages 3 and 4. Make sure you have and can identify all of the parts for both the

Frame and the Tumbler Drum before you start.

Tools You Will Need

Before you start, assemble the following tools:

3/8" wrench

7/16" wrench

3/4" wrench

Adjustable wrench

Regular screwdriver (flat head)

Phillips screwdriver (cross head)

Hammer

Everything else you will need is included with your ComposTumbler.

Page 3

Parts For The Support Frame

Note: The Tie Rods (Item 16) have been shipped inside the Support Spacers

(item 2). Be sure to remove them before assembling the frame.

ENLARGED VIEW

P arts For The Tumbler Drum

PART QUANTITY

ITEM NO.

1 Lower Support 2 2 Support Spacer 4 3 Drive Handle 1 4 Upper Support 2

5 Axle Rods 2 6 Drive Wheels 4 7 8 Grip 1

9 Grip Cap 1 10 Spring Pin 4 11 #6

DESCRIPTION NEEDED

(with axle rod carriers)

/2"x 2" Bolt

Screw

PART QUANTITY

ITEM NO.

12 13 14 Endcap 2 15 16 17 18 19 Latch Hook 2 20 Latch 2 21 Door 1 22 23 24 25 26 Acorn Nut, 27 28 Wing Nut, 29 30 #10 Lock Nut 16

DESCRIPTION NEEDED

Drum Segment A Drum Segment B

Door Frame Segment

Tie Rod, AeratorBase AeratorCap

#10 Bolts #10 Flat Washer #10 #10 Hex

Bolt,1/4"x31/4"

Shoulder Bolt

4"x 36

(outside)

(inside)

Lock Washer

Nut

/4"

1 2

1 4 2 2

18 34 18 18

8 2 2

Page 4

Support Frame Assembly

STEP 1:

Lower Support Assembly

Select:

2 Lower Supports (item 1)

2 Support Spacers (item 2)

4 1/2" x 2" Bolts (item 7)

A. Make sure you have removed the tie rods from inside the support spacers.

B. Fasten one support spacer to lower support section with 1/2" bolt as shown in the adjacent photograph.

After orienting the other lower support section in a position where the straight and smaller ended uprights are diagonally opposite each other

to the opposite end of the support spacer with 1/2" bolt.

, fasten this section

C. With lower support sections held upright, as above, fasten the other support spacer in a similar manner with 2 additional 1/2" bolts to form the assembly shown in the adjacent photograph.

STEP 2:

Upper Support Assembly

Select:

2 Upper Supports (item 4)

2 Support Spacers (item 2)

4 1/2" x 2" Bolts (item 7)

A. With open end facing down, position one upper support

the upright sections of the lower support assembly, and oriented so that a small diameter end opposes a straight section.

(Note: Upper support sections (item 4 in adjacent photo) must be at right angles to lower support sections

in adjacent photo)

to support the drum.)

, parallel to a lower support

to result in sufficient strength and stability

spacer

, over

(item 1

B. Slip the ends of the upper support fully into and over the uprights of the lower support section. Repeat with the second support.

Continued...

Page 5

Su pport Frame Assembly

STEP 2 Continued:

C. Fasten the support spacers to the upper supports,

following the same procedure used in Step 1.

D. Now is the time to secure the 8 bolts that turn

into the support spacers. Using a 3/4" wrench,

snugly tighten each bolt to stabilize support frame.

STEP 3:

Axle & Drive Wheel

Assembly

Select:

2 Axle Rods (item 5)

4 Drive Wheels (item 6)

A. Slip the first axle through one of the axle rod

carriers on an upper support.

B. Place two drive wheels onto the axle inside the

framework, making sure that the smaller, slotted

ends of the wheels face away from each other and

toward the ends of the axle (see illustration).

C. Insert the end of the axle through the

corresponding carrier on the other upper support.

The two drive wheels are now suspended on the

axle between the upper supports.

D. Repeat the procedure with the second axle and

two remaining drive wheels.

E. Add a small amount of oil or grease to the end

of the shaft. Then spin the axle to work the lubricant

inside the axle support.

Page 6

Support Frame Assembly

STEP 4:

Drive Handle Assembly

Select:

1 Drive Handle (item 3)

1 Grip (item 8)

1 Grip Cap (item 9)

1 #6 Screw (item 11)

A. Slide the Grip onto the end of the Drive Handle.

B. Push the stem of the Grip Cap into the end of the Drive Handle, aligning the holes.

C. Secure the Grip Cap to the end of the Drive Handle with the #6 Screw. Tighten

the Screw until just snug. Note: The head of the Screw will be in the hole of the Drive Handle, locking the Grip Cap in position.

STEP 5:

Spring Pin Assembly

Select:

1 Drive Handle Assembly (step 4)

4 Spring Pins (item 10)

A. Decide which corner of the assembly the drive handle is to be positioned on. (Any of the four corners will accept the handle assembly. The decision is entirely a factor of your convenience.) Insert the shaft of the handle into the end of the axle rod at the corner.

B. Line up the holes in the handle shaft and the axle, then using a hammer, gently drive a spring pin through all holes.

C. Drive a spring pin through the holes in each of the three remaining ends of the axle rods. To hold the drive wheels properly, the spring pin should extend an equal amount on each side of the rod at all four corners.

D. Move each drive wheel into position against its corresponding spring pin, lining up the slots in the drive wheel with the pin. Slide the wheel over the pin at each corner.

The Support Frame for your ComposTumbler is now assembled and ready to hold the drum. Move the frame into its final position before placing the assembled drum on it. Double check to make certain that all nuts and bolts are tightly secured.

The Frame should be carefully positioned on level ground to insure best results. Uneven placement can make the Tumbler harder to turn.

Before operating, lubricate the 4 axle rod carrier sections.

Page 7

Tumbler Drum Assembly

STEP 1:

Initial Drum

Body Assembly

Select:

1 Drum Segment A (item 12)

2 Drum Segments B (item 13)

10 #10 Bolts (silver) (item 22)

10 #10 Flat Washers (item 23)

10 #10 Lock Washers (item 24)

10 #10-32 Hex Nuts (item 25)

A. Place Drum Segment A on a

flat, smooth work surface with the flanged mixing fins facing upright. Align one Drum Segment B

along one side of Segment A, matching up the holes in the fins.

B. Fasten Segment A to first Segment B using:

1 #10 Bolt (silver)

1 #10 Flat Washer

1 #10 Lock Washer

1 #10 Hex Nut

at each of the five holes. Hand tighten all bolts.

C. Attach the other Segment B to the other side of

Segment A the same way.

D. Using the slotted screwdriver and 3/8" wrench,

tighten all the fasteners.

STEP 2:

Drum Assembly

Select:

1 Endcap (item 14)

1 Drum Body Assembly (from Step 1)

A. Place the endcap, name plate down, on work

surface. Note position of the screen on the endcap.

Carefully pick up the 3 sectioned partially assembled

drum from Step 1 and by bending it with the mixing

fins on the inside, fit it into the rim of the endcap,

forming three-quarters of the cylinder. Be careful to

locate the center panel (Segment A) adjacent to the

screen and fit the mixing fins on both sides of this

segment into the alignment slots of the endcap.

Page 8

Tumbler Drum Assembly

STEP 3:

Latch Attachment

Select:

1 Door Frame Segment (item 15)

2 Latches (item 20)

2 Latch hooks (item 19)

8 #10 Bolts (silver) (item 22)

8 #10 Flat Washers (item 23)

8 #10 Lock Washers (item 24)

8 #10-32 Hex Nuts (item 25)

1 Door (item 21)

A. With the Door Frame Segment resting on the work surface, attach the Latches to the panel on top of the raised mounting holes with the hooks toward the opening using:

1 #10 Bolt (silver) 1 #10 Flat Washer

1 #10 Lock Washer 1 #10-32 Hex Nut on each side of both Latches. Be sure the Bolt is on the underside of the panel in the recess, with the Flat Washer, Lock Washer and Hex Nut on top of the Latch. Use the slotted screwdriver and

/8" wrench to tighten all Latch mounting fasteners.

B. Position the Latch Hooks on the other side of the panel opening with the hook ends toward the opening. Secure them the same way as the latches, but make the fasteners only hand tight.

C. Position the Door in place on the panel. Fit the notches on one end of the Door into the Hooks on the panel, and the hooks of the Latches into the notches on the other side of the Door. Close the latches to check their tension, they should "snap" closed, but should not be too difficult to open. Loosen and adjust the Latch Hook fasteners to get the proper tension, then tighten them with the slotted screwdriver and 3/8" wrench.

D. Remove the Door for the next step.

STEP 4:

Door Frame Assembly

Select:

16 Shoulder Bolts (gold) (item 29)

16 #10 Flatwashers (item 23)

16 #10-24 Locknuts (item 30)

A. Carefully fit the Door Frame Segment (with latches installed) into the last open space of the Endcap to complete the Drum cylinder, overlapping the adjoining segments and lining up the hole patterns along both sides and into the rim of the Endcap.

Continued...

Page 9

Tumbler Drum Assembly

STEP 4 Continued:

B. Starting from the bottom and working from the

outside, fasten the Door Frame Segment to the other

Drum segments using:

1 Shoulder Bolt (gold)

1 #10 Flat Washer 1 #10-24 Lock Nut

at each of the eight slots on both sides of the Door

Frame Segment. The Washers and Lock Nuts should

be fastened inside the Drum body. The slotted holes in these Drum Segments will allow for adjustment to

make placement of the second Endcap easier. Use

the Phillips screwdriver and 3/8" wrench to turn the

Lock nuts onto the Bolts until the nut bottoms out

against the shoulder of the bolt.

The shoulder bolt should spin freely in the slotted hole

and not be so tight that the bolt and nut clamp the metal

panels together. If they do, loosen the nut 1/4 turn. This is

to accommodate subsequent movement of these panels

during operation resulting from changes in temperature.

STEP 5:

Second Endcap Assembly

Select:

1 Endcap (item 14)

4 Tie Rods, 36 3/4" (item 16)

8 Acorn Nuts 1/4" (item 26)

A. Position the second endcap over the open end of the drum assembly, lining up the endcaps so that the

screens are directly opposite each other and the

flanges in the drum match the slots in the cap.

B. Lining up the two flanges furthest from the door

frame with their corresponding alignment slots, work

that part of the endcap carefully down onto the

drum. Then, working through the opening in the door

frame, fit the two remaining flanges into their slots, adjusting the fit of the drum as necessary by sliding the

door frame slightly. Be sure that the edges of the drum fit snugly into the rim of the endcap all the way around

and that the flanges inside the drum are all fitted into the alignment slots on the cap.

C. Thread an acorn nut onto the end of one tie rod just until the nut holds (about two turns). Insert the other

end of the tie rod through one of the four holes in the top endcap and run the rod down through the opposite

hole in the bottom endcap. (Lead-ins have been provided to make this step easier.)

Continued...

Page 10

Tumbler Drum Assembly

STEP 5 Continued:

D. Thread a second acorn nut onto the exposed end of the rod. If there is not enough exposed thread to start the nut or if the rod will not go all the way through the drum, double check to make sure the drum edges are fitted all the way into the rim of the cap and the flanges are in the alignment slots. If there is still a problem, loosen the acorn nut on the first end of the tie rod or press firmly on both endcaps to seat them fully.

E. Repeat steps “c” and “d” with remaining three tie rods and six acorn nuts, connecting the three remaining pairs of holes in endcaps. When all four rods have been positioned and secured, tighten all eight acorn nuts using an adjustable wrench at one end and a7/16” wrench at the other.

Note: Do not overtighten.

STEP 6:

Aerator Assembly

Select:

2 Aerator Outside Sections (item 17)

2 Aerator Inside Sections (item 18)

2 Bolts, 1/4" x 31/4" (item 27)

2 Wing Nuts (item 28)

1 Door (item 21)

A. Position one Aerator Outside Section on the outside of the Door.

B. Insert one Bolt through the Aerator Outside Section and hole in the Door.

C. Slip one Aerator Inside Section over the Bolt on the inside of the Door, threading a Wing Nut onto the end of the Bolt until hand hand tight.

Be careful not to overtighten the assembly.

D. Repeat “a”, “b” and “c” with second aerator over the second hole in the Door.

E. Check both aerators to make sure that the curve of the Door when it’s in place on the drum and the contour of the outer portion of the aerator match,

slight

and then apply assembly firmly in place.

pressure on Wing Nuts to hold

Do not overtighten.

F. Attach Door to Drum.

Page 11

Completion

STEP 7:

Placement of Drum

on Support Frame

A. Check the Support Frame to make sure

that all four drive wheels are pulled out

against the flanges on the axle rod carriers

and that the spring pins are all snugly

fitted into the slots in the wheel hubs.

B. Place the drum on the Support Frame so

that when the door opening is positioned

on the same side of the Frame as the drive

wheel handle, the latches are on the

bottom of the opening and the latch

brackets are on top.

C. Adjust the position of the drum so that it

is centered and resting evenly on all four

drive wheels. The ridged edges of the

endcaps should be sitting firmly on the

gear sections of the wheel drives.

Your ComposTumbler is now completely assembled and ready to use. Read your

operating instructions manual, "How to Make Superior Compost," carefully

before starting your first batch of compost.