On 17/12/19 20:33, Pwllgloyw wrote:
I have had a dalek for about 18 months, quite happily putting composting
material in it and watching the contents compress down.
A few weeks ago I decided to open up the bottom door and remove the
compost from the bottom to spread on the freshly dug veggie patch. I
wondered how this would work, as I expected the thing to collapse as I
removed the compost, but NO despite almost clearlin the whole bottom
15inches or so, the rest remainded firmly suspended somehow.

As it is now full at the top, how does one get the contents to collapse?
I've tried forcing it down as well as I could, adding lots of water and
leaving it to its own devices for a few week, to no avail.

I suppose I could try lifting the whole thing off, but that is difficult
as it is in a corner without much access, and I'm not that flexible
these days.

Any ideas please!

A wonderful and blessed Christmas to one and all.

You need a thin strip of steel (aluminium isn't strong enough) about 900
x 25 x 1mm, with a rounded "point" and something on the other end to
act as a handle or pad. This is the sort of thing:
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-23-5mm-Multi-Purpose-Flat-Bar---Galvanised-Steel-1m/p/188309
or this if you prefer something a bit sturdier:
https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-35-5mm-Multi-Purpose-Flat-Bar---Galvanised-Steel-1m/p/188310

Push it all the way down between the Dalek skin and the compressed
compost (the rounded point will stop it puncturing the Dalek). Move
along a couple of cm and repeat. Eventually you will have loosened the
connection between the two so much the compost will fall down under its
own weight. If there is any left anywhere on the side use the "scraper"
to get that off too.

Wipe the scraper and keep it for the next time you need it!

--

Jeff