(US5187097-A)      A system producing compost with different degrees of ripeness by repeated rearrangement of layers in a stack has a unit movable longitudinally and transversely over a stack to pick up and move layers. The system is formed as a conveyor of variable length which can be moved over the stack in the manner of a crane.    The conveyor may be formed as a craper or bucket conveyor for working the rotting material. The system may also measure the water content of the material and provide a controlled feed of liq. The material is formed as a flat stack between two walls, and movement of material along the stack is pref. computer-controlled.    ADVANTAGE -   Permits completely automatic optimal composting.    (SU1836310-A3)      A plant to produce compost on a large scale from organic waste includes machinery to transfer the waste from an old, e.g., 3m high tabular dump in rows, after a certain ripeness and shrinkage has been achieved, through a water spray to a new dump. A bucket wheel picks up layers of material and an inclined conveyor transfers it to a horizontal belt weigher which controls the water spray nozzle. The reversible belt conveyor can also be displaced longitudinally. The bucket wheel is adjustable by power cylinders. The main girder can traverse along the alley between the old and the new stacks and at right angles to it. A microprocessor controls the entire plant and calculates the expected shrinkage of the rotting material.    ADVANTAGE -   This permits the re-laying to the old height of e.g., 3m in spite of a 50% shrinkage in a fully automatic operation.    (JP2975426-B2)      A plant to produce compost on a large scale from organic waste includes machinery to transfer the waste from an old, e.g., 3m high tabular dump in rows, after a certain ripeness and shrinkage has been achieved, through a water spray to a new dump. A bucket wheel picks up layers of material and an inclined conveyor transfers it to a horizontal belt weigher which controls the water spray nozzle. The reversible belt conveyor can also be displaced longitudinally. The bucket wheel is adjustable by power cylinders. The main girder can traverse along the alley between the old and the new stacks and at right angles to it. A microprocessor controls the entire plant and calculates the expected shrinkage of the rotting material.    ADVANTAGE -   This permits the re-laying to the old height of e.g., 3m in spite of a 50% shrinkage in a fully automatic operation.