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Dewyuck
Stranger


Registered: 09/30/18
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Worx Leaf Mulcher for Straw...
#26841618 - 07/23/20 09:47 PM (3 years, 6 months ago) |
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Hey everyone, I just got in a Worx leaf mulcher after reading people had been using it for straw. So far anything larger than a small handful results in the mulcher getting completely clogged. I am debating between either just returning it (if that is possible) or trying to modify it. Has anyone had any luck with it? If so, how? Thanks!
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SHROOMSISAY01
Mr. Shrooms



Registered: 01/22/17
Posts: 3,850
Loc: Virginia, USA
Last seen: 4 days, 22 hours
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Re: Worx Leaf Mulcher for Straw... [Re: Dewyuck]
#26843519 - 07/24/20 08:25 PM (3 years, 6 months ago) |
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I started off doing the same thing using straw except I used a sun joe wood chipper. I quickly figured out that it was more work than it was worth. Save yourself the trouble and switch to fuel pellets and soy hulls. Unless you like doing 10 times the work for 1/2 the results.
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Dewyuck
Stranger


Registered: 09/30/18
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Last seen: 29 days, 6 hours
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So after some modifications to the shredder I got it working good enough, though it is annoying how easily it gets clogged. I’m debating figuring out how to add a blade.
But after shredding the whole bale of straw I pasteurized about half of the bale in two separate dunks in my 55 gallon drum. I managed to pasteurize and inoculate 80 pounds of straw in about 8+ hours. This will easily increase after changing my work flow a little and getting more practice. I do also sterilize sawdust with wheat bran for my “grow your own” kits that I sell. Soy hulls are apparently impossible to get where I am. At least that is what two of my local feed stores told me. I plan to talk to some local farmers soon.
The reason I’m moving to pasteurization is to scale up my production of oyster and other gourmet mushrooms to have enough to sell to local Grocery stores and restaurants. The straw is definitely more work but it seems like it will pay off by taking less time overall per pound of substrate. Unless I somehow get my hands on a huge steam retort
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SHROOMSISAY01
Mr. Shrooms



Registered: 01/22/17
Posts: 3,850
Loc: Virginia, USA
Last seen: 4 days, 22 hours
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Re: Worx Leaf Mulcher for Straw... [Re: Dewyuck]
#26850704 - 07/28/20 08:26 PM (3 years, 6 months ago) |
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80 lbs 8 hours OMG I do 200 lbs in about 2 to 3 hours of sawdust and that is if I am really slow. Straw takes much longer that is the main reason I went to fuel pellets.
Edited by SHROOMSISAY01 (07/28/20 08:33 PM)
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Forrester
aspiring sociopath


Registered: 02/05/13
Posts: 9,351
Loc: Northeast USA
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Are you using heat pasteurization or lime?
-------------------- Repugnant is a creature who would squander the ability to lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here. ------------------- Have some medicinal mushrooms and want to get the most out of them? Try this double extraction method.
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Dewyuck
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Re: Worx Leaf Mulcher for Straw... [Re: Forrester]
#26851508 - 07/29/20 10:21 AM (3 years, 6 months ago) |
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Hey Forrester! I’m using heat pasteurization in a 55 gallon drum for 1.5-2 hours for the straw and heat sterilization for 2.5 hours for the enriched sawdust.
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Dewyuck
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Registered: 09/30/18
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Last seen: 29 days, 6 hours
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Quote:
SHROOMSISAY01 said: 80 lbs 8 hours OMG I do 200 lbs in about 2 to 3 hours of sawdust and that is if I am really slow. Straw takes much longer that is the main reason I went to fuel pellets.
Oh yea, I’m definitely aware that this was way too long for such little straw. However that also includes all the time I spent dicking around with that shredder and shredding the whole bale haha.
Also the basket I made to hold the straw in the barrel is shit. Since it’s only me doing it I didn’t want to overload the barrel and throw my back out trying to pull out that basket.
I just ordered some burlap sacs so I can load in multiple bags and pull them out with a rope. Once I do that I should easily be around the 150-200 lb per 1.5hr pasteurization.
How are you inoculating such a large amount at one time? The table I’m using really only has enough room to mix about 40lbs at one time.
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SHROOMSISAY01
Mr. Shrooms



Registered: 01/22/17
Posts: 3,850
Loc: Virginia, USA
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Re: Worx Leaf Mulcher for Straw... [Re: Dewyuck]
#26851561 - 07/29/20 11:00 AM (3 years, 6 months ago) |
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Yea I just hooked up a hoist I think it cost me like $20 then I just let it drain over the drum. But it was still way more work than I want to do if there is an easier way.
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Dewyuck
Stranger


Registered: 09/30/18
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Last seen: 29 days, 6 hours
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I totally understand!
I do have a question regarding pellets. I’ve used all different kinds and some say they have “<1% vegetable oil” is this an issue? I have noticed the pellets with the oil tend to give off a much stronger smell when sterilizing but have not noticed any difference in growth or yield.
*this may be a discussion for a separate thread or simply a quick search
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SHROOMSISAY01
Mr. Shrooms



Registered: 01/22/17
Posts: 3,850
Loc: Virginia, USA
Last seen: 4 days, 22 hours
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Re: Worx Leaf Mulcher for Straw... [Re: Dewyuck]
#26851693 - 07/29/20 12:13 PM (3 years, 6 months ago) |
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I just buy what I can get as long as it is hardwood. But 1% is only 6.4 ozs in a 40 lb bag.
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Bsdgaou

Registered: 02/20/19
Posts: 340
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Here where I live, we cannot get 100% hardwood, because they said they mix some softwood because it stick pellets together then. Usually "100% hardwood" means 80/20.
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