Mantis ComposT-Twin Series User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

Welcome To The World Of Mantis Gardening!
Here’s your new Mantis
ComposT-Twin...the unique
dual-chamber composter that will
make gardening easier for you.
With your new ComposT-Twin,
you’ll always have a place to
throw your kitchen scraps, leaves
and grass clippings...and you’ll
have a constant supply of the
rich, nutrient-filled compost your
garden loves.
Once you know how to assemble
and use your ComposT-Twin
correctly, we guarantee you’ll love
it. So first, please read this manual
and watch the enclosed assembly
video. They show, step by step,
how to assemble your machine
and how to get the best results.
2
Safety Rules & Warnings
You will notice throughout this Owner’s
Manual Safety Rules and Important Notes.
Make sure you understand and obey these
warnings for your own protection.
SAFETY WARNING
ATTENTION: THIS SYMBOL POINTS OUT
OUR IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS.
TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR
ACCIDENTS, COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS IN THIS MANUAL.
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Table of Contents
Safety Rules & Warnings ........................... 2
Safety Decals ............................................. 3
Box Contents ............................................ 4
Support Frame Assembly .......................... 6
Support Frame Assembly Layout .............. 7
Support Frame Parts List ........................... 8
Drum Parts List ....................................... 12
Drum Assembly Layout .......................... 13
Drum Assembly ....................................... 14
Maintenance Instructions ....................... 21
Using your ComposT-Twin ..................... 22
The Right Mix of Materials ..................... 23
Using Compost ....................................... 25
Troubleshooting Tips .............................. 26
Limited Warranty Information ............... 28

An important part of the safety system
incorporated in this composter is the
information decal found on the door
of the composter. This decal must be
replaced in time; it is your responsibility
to replace this decal when it becomes
hard to read. The location of this decal,
part number (P/N 200600), is illustrated
on page 4.
3
Safety Decal Identification
Warnings
•Check and tighten all of the 2" bolts (part no. 200500) on the frame assembly
every two months.
•Keep children away from the ComposT-Twin.
•Remove the drum from the frame before relocating the unit.
•Do not overload the ComposT-Twin. Maximum load is 600 pounds.
Mantis Customer Service
If you have any difficulty following the assembly instructions, contact your local
authorized Mantis Dealer where you purchased the ComposT-Twin for assistance.

Box Contents
All of the ComposT-Twin parts, including sheet metal, frame tubing, plastic end caps, and
hardware, are packed in three boxes. Refer to the diagrams below for the contents of each box.
4

5
Large Parts, Boxes 1-3
Hardware Parts Bag (part #200501)
10
9
23
24
11
28
27
33
30
29
31
26
25
12
32
34

Assembly of the ComposT-Twin is divided into two major sub-assemblies:
Support frame and Drum
Tools needed for assembly of ComposT-Twin
✔ Hammer or rubber mallet ✔ 3/8” wrench
✔ 3/4” wrench ✔ Regular screwdriver (flat head)
✔ 7/16” wrench ✔ Phillips screwdriver (cross head)
✔ 7/16” socket wrench ✔ Wheel bearing-type grease
The ComposT-Twin is easiest to assemble with TWO PEOPLE sharing and
coordinating the work. Allow 1-2 hours to assemble the entire composter.
Begin with the Support Frame Assembly.
Tools needed for Support Frame Assembly:
Hammer or rubber mallet and 3/4” wrench.
Find a large, shaded area outside your house
or in your garage to assemble the Support
Frame. DO NOT ASSEMBLE THE SUPPORT
FRAME IN YOUR LIVING ROOM, AS YOU
WON’T BE ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH
THE DOOR WHEN YOU ARE DONE!
SAFETY WARNING
THE DIMENSIONS OF THE ASSEMBLED
SUPPORT FRAME ARE 35” HIGH X 56”
LONG X 41” WIDE. BE SURE TO ASSEMBLE
THE SUPPORT FRAME IN A GARAGE OR
OPEN AREA WHERE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO
MOVE IT EASILY ONCE YOU ARE FINISHED.
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6

7
Support Frame
Assembly Layout

Place second “C” shaped lower support in
a position where the long legs of the tubing
are diagonally opposite each other, as shown.
Fasten the other end of the short spacer to
the second “C” shaped lower support. Repeat
this step on the other side.
10
3
5
Fasten one end of the short spacer (key #2)
to “C” shaped lower support (key #1) with
2” shoulder bolt (key #12). Finger tighten -
do not completely tighten nuts and bolts.
Parts for the
Support Frame
Assembly
Long legs of the tubing are opposite each other
Step 2
Step 3 Close-up
8
Step 1
Gather the parts you
will need to assemble
the support frame.
4
2
8
7
12
11
6
1
9

Place upper supports (key #3) in a position
where the smaller leg of the upper support
slides into the wider leg of the lower support,
and the wider leg of the upper support slides
into the smaller leg of the lower support, as
shown. Slide the ends of the upper support
tubing fully into and over the lower support
section. Repeat this step on the other end.
Fasten the long spacers (key #4) to the upper
support on both sides using 2” shoulder bolts
(key #12). Tighten fully.
Slide plastic grip (key #9) over the handle
(key #8). Be sure that pin hole is on the
opposite end of the handle.
Place the push cap nut (key #10) over the
handle and tap it on with a hammer or
rubber mallet. Put handle assembly aside
for now.
Slide together
9
Step 4 Step 5
Step 6 Step 7
Pin hole
9
8
10

Make sure that the gears pin opening faces
the pin hole in the axle rod tubing. Repeat
these steps 8-10 for the second axle rod.
Slide one end of the axle rod (key #5) into
the axle rod guide of the upper support
assembly.
Slide one gear (key #7), one center support
wheel (key #6), and another gear onto the
axle rod in the order shown.
Slide the other end of the axle rod through
the corresponding guide so that the axle rod
is supported by the guides.
Gear pin opening
Step 8 Step 9
Step 10 Step 11
Pin hole
in axle rod
10
767

Choose the corner for the handle (this deci-
sion is entirely a factor of your convenience).
Place the end of the handle assembly inside
the axle rod at that corner, and align the
holes of the handle and axle rod. Gently
drive spring pin (key #11) through the holes
using a hammer or rubber mallet.
Drive the spring pins through the holes in
the three other corners of the frame. The
spring pin should extend an equal amount
on each side of the axle rod. Line up the
pin opening in the gear (key #7) with the
corresponding pin and slide the gear over it.
Repeat this step with each gear. TIGHTEN
ALL NUTS AND BOLTS SECURELY.
The support frame for your
Mantis ComposT-Twin is ready!
Place the frame on level ground,
where you want the composter to be
located in your yard. Lubricate the
four axle rod guide sections with
wheel bearing-type grease.
SAFETY WARNING
A SLANTED OR UNEVEN POSITION CAN MAKE
THE LOADED COMPOSTER UNSTABLE AND
HARDER TO TURN. BE SURE TO PLACE THE SUP-
PORT FRAME ON LEVEL GROUND
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Step 12 Step 13
Step 14
11

Now, you will assemble the ComposT-Twin Drum:
Tools needed for Drum Assembly:
3/8” wrench Regular screwdriver (flat head)
7/16” wrench Phillips screwdriver (cross head)
7/16” socket wrench
12
Parts for the
Drum Assembly
Gather the parts you
will need to assemble
the ComposT-Twin drum.
13 14
19
18
20 21
17 22
16
31 24
29
27
32
25
28 15
30
Small parts
close-up
23
33
Step 15
26
34

13
Drum Assembly
Layout

19 18 20 21
There are two different types of ribs on the panels: one rib is straight, the other is clip-shaped.
Place panels on a flat ground surface with the ribs facing up, in the following order:
The two slots of the drum 1st panel (key #19) should be next to the door opening (key #18).
The clip-shaped rib of the 2nd panel (key #18), door opening, should face the 1st panel.
The 4 latch holes of the drum 3rd panel (key #20) should be next to the flat rib of the 2nd panel.
The clip-shaped rib of the drum 4th panel (key #21) should be next to the drum 3rd panel.
Place the drum’s 1st panel in a position where
the straight rib is facing the door panel’s clip-
shaped rib. Align outside edges to align holes.
Slide the clip-shaped rib of the door panel
over the straight rib of the drum’s 1st panel,
matching up the holes. If necessary, tap into
place with a hammer or rubber mallet. Fasten panels using screw (key #28), flat
washers (key #29), and keps nut (key #30).
Tighten screws using 3/8” wrench and a flat
head screwdriver.
Step 16
Step 17
Step 18
SAFETY WARNING
USE OF A HAMMER ON DRUM PANELS MAY
DAMAGE PAINT. COVER PANEL EDGE WITH
A CLOTH BEFORE USING HAMMER.
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1st panel has
2 door slots
2nd panel
door opening 3rd panel has
4 latch holes 4th panel has one
clip-shaped rib
14
Clip-shaped rib

Attach 3rd and 4th panels the same way
to complete the first chamber assembly.
Assemble the sheet metal panels for the
second chamber using the same procedure.
Position mesh screen (key #23) onto the vent
hole of the end cap. Affix it using the zip
twist pal nut (key #27). Repeat this step with
the second end cap.
Correct assembly of the body of the first
chamber is very important. Beginning at the
arrow located inside the end cap, position
the rib of the 1st panel (key #19) in the
alignment slot. Bend the panels counter-
clockwise with ribs inside (the vent opening
in the end cap should be across from the
door opening, 2nd panel (key #18).
Continue to fit the edge of the sheet metal
into the opening formed by the inside edge
of the end cap and vertical ribs to form the
chamber. Overlap the last joint and align the
slots. Fasten the last joint using shoulder
bolts (brass colored, key #32), nylon insert
lock nuts (key #33), Phillips head screwdriver
and 3/8” wrench.
Step 19 Step 20
Step 21
Step 22
15
Vent hole
Door opening
(key #18)
First panel
(key #19)

SAFETY WARNING
DO NOT TIGHTEN BOLTS - THEY SHOULD
SPIN FREELY! SLOTS WILL ACCOMMODATE
THE EXPANSION OF MATERIAL DURING
TEMPERATURE CHANGES
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Find the two sets of mounting holes on
the drum’s 3rd panel (key #20) of the first
chamber. Attach latches (key #24) to the
panel using screws (key #28), flat washer
(key #29) and keps nut (key #30), as shown.
To attach the door latch (key #24), make sure
that the hook part of the latch is pointing up
towards the door panel.
Place the four threaded rods inside the sheet
metal chamber, and into the four round
openings found in the end caps.
Step 23
Step 25
Step 24
Step 26
SAFETY WARNING
USE CARE IN HANDLING THE THREADED
RODS. BE SURE TO USE THE DISPOSABLE
RED PROTECTIVE COVERS FOR YOUR
SAFETY IN ASSEMBLING THE COMPOSTER.
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16

The divider has the words “DOOR” printed
on the inside. Line up the words with the
door opening panel. Pick up the divider and
guide it so the threaded rods slip through the
four openings in the divider.
Fit the rim of the divider over the open edge
of the sheet metal chamber, tapping to secure
in place.
Holding the threaded rods and
the end of the chamber, tilt the
chamber on its side. Thread an
acorn nut onto the exposed
thread on the outside of the
end cap. Repeat this step with
all four threaded rods.
Step 27 Step 28
Step 30
Step 29
17
Place the disposable
red protective covers
(key #35) on one end
of each threaded rod.
Holding the threaded rods
and the end of the chamber,
lift the chamber to rest on
the end cap once more.
Step 31

Pick up the sheet metal
assembly of the second
chamber and place it on top
of the divider to align with
the door of the first chamber.
Bend the assembly with the
ribs inside and fit the edge
of the sheet metal into the
opening formed by the
inside edge of the divider
and the vertical ribs. Door
openings should be located
side by side.
Overlap the last joint and
align the slots. Fasten the
last joint using shoulder
bolts (brass colored, key
#32), nylon insert lock nuts
(key #33), Phillips head
screwdriver and 3/8”
wrench.
Find the two sets of mounting holes on the
drum’s 3rd panel (key #20) of the second
chamber. Attach latches (key #24) to the
panel using screws (key #28), flat washer
(key #29) and nut (key #30), as shown. Make
sure that the hook part of the latch is point-
ing up towards the door panel.
Step 32 Step 33 Step 34
Step 35
18
Step 36
Remove the disposable
red protective covers
from the end of each
threaded rod and discard.

Position the second end cap over the open
end of the drum assembly, so the four round
openings align with the four threaded rods,
and making sure that the vent hole lines up
with the vent hole in the other end cap.
Fit the end cap rim over the edge of the
sheet metal assembly, making sure that the
threaded rods slip through the end cap holes.
Step 37
Place 1/4” flat washer (key #34) over each
threaded rod and thread an acorn nut (key
#25) onto the end of each rod. Tighten acorn
nuts using 7/16” socket wrench.
On the support frame, check axle rod
gears and middle wheels; be sure that
pins are inside of the pin openings of
the gears, and that the wheels are in the
middle of the axle rods.
Check the door position before placing the
drum on the bottom support frame. The door
openings should be on the same side of the
bottom frame as the handle, and latches
should be on the bottom part of the door
opening.
Step 38
Step 39
Step 40
19

Put self-tapping screw (key #26) into the
cavity in the middle of the breather cap. Be
sure that the screw’s tip is coming out of the
hole. Place the breather screen (key #16) on
the front side of the door, covering the
round opening.
Position the
breather cap
(key #15) on
the inside of
the door (key
#17), over the
breather screen.
Place the tip of
the cap’s boss
inside the
hollow part of
the screen’s
boss. Hold breather cap and attach these two
parts with self-tapping screw using Phillips
head screwdriver. Apply some pressure on
the screw head to start thread cutting opera-
tion. Repeat this step and assemble breathers
at all four locations.
Hold door horizontally and fit door hooks
through the openings above the door panel.
Close the doors on the drum to cover door
opening and check the position of the
breather screens.
Step 42
Step 44
20
Lift the drum assembly and position on
the bottom frame. Adjust gears and middle
wheels so that gear teeth mesh with the
corresponding end cap teeth, and the
middle divider edge fits into the middle
wheel groove.
SAFETY WARNING
COMPOSTER DRUM IS VERY HEAVY -
BE CAREFUL WHEN LIFTING. AT LEAST
TWO PEOPLE ARE NEEDED TO LIFT DRUM
AND POSITION ON SUPPORT FRAME
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Step 41
Step 43