Trommel Screens for Compost, Soil & Wet Material
Built to Screen Compost, Soil, and Wet - Sticky Material Without Slowdowns Talk to a screening expert.Trommel Screens That Keep Material Moving
If you’ve ever dealt with:
- Wet compost plugging your screen
- Sticky soil building up
- Material slowing production
You already know the problem.
Trommel screens keep material moving — even when nothing else will.

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See A Trommel Screen In Action
What Is a Trommel Screen?
A trommel screen is a rotating drum screener designed to separate material by size as it moves through the machine.
It’s one of the most effective ways to process:
- Compost
- Topsoil
- Mulch
- Wet or sticky material
👉 Especially when traditional screens start to plug up.
As the drum spins:
- Finer material falls through the screen openings
- Larger material continues through the drum
What Can You Screen with a Trommel?
If your material is wet, sticky, or inconsistent… a trommel is often the right solution.

Built for the materials that slow everything else down
Common applications include:
- Compost – Efficient separation of organic material
- Topsoil – Clean, consistent finished product
- Mulch – Removes oversize material quickly
- Wood waste – Handles stringy, irregular feed
- Dirt and soil – Ideal for landscaping and site prep
- Recycling & waste – Separates mixed material streams
Here’s why a trommel doesn’t plug up like everything else
If you’ve ever fought plugging, blinding, or material building up inside your screen…
The result: consistent throughput, even in difficult conditions.
🔄 Continuous Movement
Material is constantly rolling through the drum instead of sitting and packing in one spot
🧼 Self-Cleaning Action
Material lifts and drops as the drum rotates, breaking apart clumps and preventing buildup
➡️ Controlled Material Flow
Material moves at a steady pace, reducing surges and blockages
See It In Action
What Makes Komptech Trommel Screens Different?
Not all trommel screens are created equal. Komptech stands out with precision-engineered features designed to keep material moving and maximize output.
6 Features Of Komptech Trommel Screens That Will Blow Your Mind!
Komptech trommel screens stand out from the competition because of their efficiency, versatility, and smart engineering. Here’s what sets them apart:
Performance Features
The Spiral Guide Inside the Drum
Unlike many other trommels, Komptech uses a spiral-shaped guide inside the drum to keep material moving efficiently.
- Prevents clogging – No more material piling up or uneven flow.
- Maximizes screening time – Ensures a steady, controlled feed for better separation.
- Increases throughput – Keeps production moving fast while reducing wear and tear.

Smart Hopper Design & Load-Sensing
Unlike basic trommels, Komptech machines adjust their feed rate automatically to prevent overloading.
- Consistent performance – No more bottlenecks or slowdowns.
- fuel efficiency – The machine adapts instead of wasting energy on inefficiency.

Aggressive Screening Action with Optional Cleaning Brushes
Screening wet, sticky materials? No problem. Many Komptech trommels come with brush systems that keep the drum clean.
- Prevents screen blinding – No more clogging from mud or wet organics.
- Keeps material moving – Maximizes separation even in tough conditions.

Operational Efficiency
Blazing Fast Drum Changes
Komptech screens offer interchangeable drums, allowing operators to swap screen sizes quickly depending on the material.
- Adjust for different applications – Wood waste, compost, aggregates, mulch—you name it.
- Faster drum changes – Less downtime means more productivity.

Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Power Options
Some Komptech trommels, like the Cribus series, offer hybrid-electric drives, cutting fuel costs and emissions.
- Eco-friendly screening – Less diesel, more efficiency.
- Lower operating costs – Save money without sacrificing power.

Durability & Mobility
Built For Durability and Mobility
Komptech doesn’t just build trommels—they build machines that last and move easily between job sites.
- Heavy-duty steel construction – Built to take a beating.
- Tracked & wheeled options – Move where you need it, fast.

Bottom Line:
Komptech trommels aren’t just spinning screens—they’re precision-engineered, high-output machines designed to handle more material, more efficiently, with less downtime.
Watch a Trommel in Action
Trommel Screen vs Other Screening Methods
- Trommel Screens
- Best for wet, sticky, organic material
- Lower risk of clogging
- Scalping Screens
- Better for dry, heavy aggregate
- Higher throughput for rock
- Star Screens
- Great for compost and organics
- More precise separation
Reliable Trommel Screening Performance and Operating Efficiency.

Komptech heavy-duty trommels are efficient screening solutions engineered for soil, aggregate, mulch, waste and compost processing.
The solid punch plate horizontal drum is built to handle the toughest materials while delivering the highest quality output.
Machines in this range include:
- Nemus 2700 99 H.P. Up to: 230 yd³ per hour
- Primus 70 H.P. Up to: 90 yd³ per hour
Inside Look: The Genius Behind Komptech’s Spiral Design!
Komptech trommel screens use a spiral-shaped guide or helix inside the drum to help move material efficiently through the screening process. This design is an important feature for ensuring consistent throughput and maximizing screening performance.
Improved Screen Efficiency
Spiral Guide System – Unlike standard trommels, Komptech screens use a built-in spiral system inside the drum that actively moves material forward, preventing build-up and increasing efficiency.
How It Works
- The trommel drum is a large rotating cylinder with perforations (holes) that allow finer materials to pass through while larger materials continue moving through the drum.
- Inside the drum, a spiral-shaped guide (also called a helical baffle or spiral fins) helps direct and control material flow.
- As the drum rotates, the spiral structure gently pushes material forward, preventing it from just tumbling in place.
- This controlled movement ensures that materials spend the right amount of time inside the drum for proper screening.
Why It’s Important
- Prevents clogging & uneven flow: Without the spiral, material could accumulate in one spot, leading to inefficiencies.
- Ensures consistent screening: Material moves steadily through the drum, allowing for uniform separation.
- Increases efficiency: By guiding material through at a steady pace, the trommel achieves higher throughput.
- Enhances screening accuracy: Finer material gets screened effectively while larger pieces continue through.
How It Benefits Users
- Helps process more material in less time.
- Reduces maintenance by minimizing material buildup.
- Works well with a variety of materials, including soil, compost, wood waste, and aggregates.
Why Settle for Slow, Clogged-Up Screens?
Your operation moves fast—shouldn’t your trommel screen keep up? If you’re tired of slow material flow, constant blockages, and inefficient separation, you’re using the wrong screen. Komptech trommels are built to screen faster, cleaner, and more efficiently, making your job easier while boosting your bottom line.
The Trommel That Saves You Time, Money, and Headaches
Every minute spent unclogging your screen is money down the drain. Every inefficient pass through your drum is lost productivity. With a Komptech Trommel screen, you get:
Longer machine life
Durable construction that stands up to the toughest jobs.
Lower operating costs
Fuel-efficient designs keep your expenses down.
Faster screening speeds
More material processed in less time.
Effortless material flow
No more downtime caused by blockages and uneven screening.
Portable Trommel Screens for Sale or Rental
Whether you’re looking to purchase or rent, trommel screens are available in a range of sizes and configurations:
- Compact trommels for small to mid-size operations
- High-capacity units for large-scale compost or waste processing
- Portable and tracked options for easy relocation
If you’re not sure what size or configuration you need, we can help you match the right machine to your application.
Talk to a Foreman Screening Expert
Komptech Trommel Screens
Komptech Primus Trommel Screen

The Komptech Primus is a heavy-duty, mobile drum screen machine built for small to medium-sized topsoil and compost operations. Heavy-duty components and a hydraulic drum drive make the Primus a powerful, cost-effective solution to your organic screening needs.
- The horizontal drum delivers consistent output.
- Material rides on the screening surface for extremely effective separation.
Specifications
Diesel Engine / Horsepower: Perkins Tier 4 Final / 70 HP
Hopper: 4 cubic yard
Screen Drum Diameter: 4′ 9″
Screening Area: 174 sq. ft
Maximum Throughput: Up to 90 cubic yards/hr
Komptech Nemus 2700 Trommel Screen

The Nemus 2700 is a mobile hydraulic drum screen, available in track or wheeled chassis, that is built for high throughput screening of heavy soil, compost, mulch and waste materials. The Nemus delivers convenient feeding, efficient discharge, quick drum changes, easy operation, and simplified cleaning and maintenance.
Diesel Engine / Horsepower: Perkins Tier 4 Final / 99 HP
Hopper Volume: 6.5 cubic yard
Screen Drum Diameter: 6’ 7”
Effective Screening Area: 323 sq. Ft.
Throughput Rate: Up to 230 cubic yards/h
Frequently Asked Questions
If we haven’t answered your question here, reach out to one of our team members using the contact form below or by calling directly.
What is a trommel screen?
A trommel screen is a rotating drum used to separate material by size. As the drum spins, finer material falls through the openings while larger material continues through.
What are trommel screens used for?
Are trommel screens good for compost?
Yes. Trommel screens are one of the best options for compost screening because the rotating drum keeps material moving and prevents buildup or clogging.
What’s the difference between a trommel and a soil screener?
A trommel is a type of soil screener. It uses a rotating drum instead of vibrating screens, making it better for handling wet or organic material.
Do you offer portable trommel screeners?
Yes. Portable trommel screens are available in both wheeled and tracked configurations, allowing you to move easily between job sites.
Upgrade Your Screening Game Today
Why fight against an underperforming screen when you could be crushing production goals instead?
Want a Quote or More Information
Call Foreman Equipment now to get expert advice on the perfect Komptech trommel for your operation.
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