Delivery & Installation | Durvela Composters

What to expect

From order confirmation to first load

Large equipment deserves a clear plan. We review the important details before delivery so your site, access route and placement area are ready.

01

Order review

We confirm your selected model and review the information needed to plan its delivery.
02

Site confirmation

You confirm the access route, prepared foundation and intended operating location.
03

Delivery coordination

Delivery timing and receiving requirements are coordinated for your destination and system.
04

Place and begin

Position the system on its prepared site, secure it as required and begin composting.

Prepare the location

Site requirements

Choose a location that remains stable, accessible and practical through every season. Final requirements depend on the Durvela model and conditions at your site.

Level, stable foundation

Install the system on a level, reinforced concrete slab over a compacted, free-draining aggregate base. Keep the frame level from one bearing or support to the other.

Clear delivery access

Confirm gates, paths, slopes, turns and overhead restrictions along the route from the delivery point to the installation area.

Room to operate

Allow practical space to load, rotate, inspect and unload the drum, with access to serviceable components.

Drainage and year-round access

Avoid low areas where water collects and choose a location you can reach safely through wet, snowy or high-use seasons. If an overly wet compost mix produces occasional drips, place the system where they can be noticed and cleaned up, then add suitable dry, carbon-rich material to restore the moisture balance.

Consider sun orientation

If using a solar-powered aeration accessory (optional for the 100, suggested for the 300, recommended for the 900 and required for the 2000), orient its panel (the unloading end of the composter) toward the sun for maximum sun exposure.

Plan for anchoring

Anchoring is recommended for the Durvela 300 and 900, and required for the Durvela 2000. Each composter foot pad has four 12 mm holes; use exterior-rated M10 concrete anchors with suitable flat washers and approximately 60 mm (2⅜ in) effective embedment. Confirm foot locations before pouring and follow the anchor manufacturer’s requirements. Do not use M12 anchors or enlarge the holes.

Plan for your system

Model dimensions and foundation guidance

Use these equipment dimensions for early planning. Confirm current specifications and site requirements with Durvela before preparing a permanent foundation.

Durvela model dimensions and general placement guidance
Model	Capacity	Equipment dimensions	General foundation guidance
Durvela 120	120 L / 32 US gal	1010 × 900 × 1350 mm / approx. 40 × 35 × 53 in	A firm, flat and non-sinking surface. A reinforced concrete slab is the recommended permanent installation base.
Durvela 300	300 L / 79 US gal	1380 × 1100 × 1610 mm / approx. 54 × 43 × 63 in	A reinforced concrete slab over a compacted, free-draining aggregate base is recommended.
Durvela 900	900 L / 238 US gal	2180 × 1250 × 1800 mm / approx. 86 × 49 × 71 in	Prepare a reinforced concrete slab and review placement and anchoring before delivery.
Durvela 2000	2000 L / 528 US gal	3140 × 1350 × 1940 mm / approx. 124 × 53 × 76 in	A reinforced concrete slab with locally thickened support areas and a pre-delivery site review is required.

Recommended concrete pads

Slab sizes by Durvela model

The preferred sizes provide approximately 300 mm / 12 in of concrete beyond the equipment footprint on each side. This protects slab edges and provides practical room for placement and anchors.

Recommended concrete slab size, thickness and anchoring by Durvela model
Model	Minimum slab	Preferred slab	Thickness	Anchoring
Durvela 120	1400 × 1300 mm / 55 × 51 in	1600 × 1500 mm / 63 × 59 in	100 mm / 4 in	Optional under normal residential conditions
Durvela 300	1800 × 1500 mm / 71 × 59 in	2000 × 1700 mm / 79 × 67 in	100 mm / 4 in	Recommended in exposed or public locations
Durvela 900	2600 × 1750 mm / 102 × 69 in	2800 × 1950 mm / 110 × 77 in	125 mm / 5 in	Recommended
Durvela 2000	3600 × 1850 mm / 142 × 73 in	3800 × 2050 mm / 150 × 81 in	150 mm / 6 in	Required

Durvela 120 & 300

Standard-duty pad

Minimum 30 MPa reinforced concrete
150 mm / 6 in compacted crushed aggregate base
Welded wire reinforcement or 10M reinforcing bar at approximately 300 mm / 12 in on centre each way

Durvela 900

Heavy-duty pad

Minimum 30 MPa concrete; 32 MPa preferred
150–200 mm / 6–8 in compacted crushed aggregate base
10M reinforcing bar at 250–300 mm / 10–12 in on centre each way
Consider thickened areas below supports on soft or variable soil

Durvela 2000

Commercial-duty pad

32 MPa reinforced concrete
At least 200 mm / 8 in compacted crushed aggregate base
10M reinforcing bar at 200 mm / 8 in on centre each way
Thicken below supports to approximately 200–250 mm / 8–10 in

Site preparation

Remove topsoil, roots, peat and other organic material.
Place the slab on undisturbed mineral soil or properly compacted structural fill.
Use free-draining crushed aggregate compacted in lifts.
Support reinforcement within the slab; do not leave it lying on the aggregate base.
Choose a location that does not collect water and grade surrounding ground away from the pad.
For exterior slabs in freezing climates, specify air-entrained concrete suitable for freeze-thaw exposure.

Level, drainage and anchors

Keep the composter frame level, especially from one bearing or support to the other.
Keep the equipment-bearing area level and slope surrounding concrete away, or limit the whole-pad slope to approximately 1%.
If levelling is required, use stainless-steel shims or approved levelling plates—never loose wood shims.
Keep anchor holes at least 150 mm / 6 in from slab edges unless the anchor manufacturer permits less.
Use appropriately sized stainless-steel or galvanized concrete anchors.

Plan the complete installation

Details to confirm before delivery

The slab is only one part of a successful installation. Review these items while the site can still be adjusted easily.

Concrete curing and loading

Allow the concrete to cure and reach the strength required by the concrete supplier, engineer and anchor manufacturer before placing the composter or loading its anchors. Coordinate the pour with the delivery date.

Weights and handling equipment

Confirm the current shipping weight, installed operating weight, centre of gravity and approved lifting points for your model. Select a forklift, crane or other handling equipment with suitable capacity, reach and site access.

Working and service clearances

Confirm model-specific clearance at the loading, unloading, crank and service sides. Keep doors, hoppers, guards and removable components unobstructed.

Utilities, permits and local requirements

Locate buried electrical, gas, water, communications and drainage services before excavation or drilling. The site owner is responsible for applicable permits, utility clearances and local building, environmental and accessibility requirements.

Safe surface and drainage

Specify a durable, slip-resistant concrete finish. Avoid raised edges that create trip hazards, direct runoff away from the equipment and manage any washwater according to local requirements.

Post-installation inspection

After initial use, recheck frame level, anchor tightness and accessible fasteners. Include these checks in the site’s routine inspection and maintenance schedule.

Planning note

These recommendations are a conservative standard detail, not a site-specific engineered foundation. Soil, frost, wind, seismic conditions and local codes may require a different design. Have the Durvela 2000 foundation—and the Durvela 900 at a school, municipality, restaurant or other commercial site—reviewed by a local structural or geotechnical professional before concrete is poured.

Before delivery day

Site-readiness checklist

Review each item with the person receiving the shipment and anyone preparing the installation area.

The selected model and current dimensions have been confirmed.
The reinforced slab, compacted base and drainage are complete and the concrete has cured.
The access route has been checked for width, height, slopes and turns.
There is room to load, rotate, monitor and unload the system.
Drainage and safe year-round access have been considered.
The receiving person understands the delivery arrangement.
Any required handling equipment has been confirmed.
Foundation and anchoring questions have been reviewed with Durvela.

Common questions

Delivery and installation FAQ

Does my Durvela arrive assembled?

Durvela composters are supplied pre-assembled. Delivery and placement requirements vary by model and destination, so confirm the final receiving plan with Durvela.

Can I place the composter directly on soil or grass?

No permanent installation should rely on soil or grass, which can settle and hold water. Durvela recommends a level, reinforced concrete slab over a compacted, free-draining aggregate base. Use the model-specific slab sizes and thicknesses on this page, subject to local site and code requirements.

How much clearance should I allow?

Allow enough room to load the hopper, rotate the drum, inspect components and remove finished compost from the unloading end. Required working space depends on the model and site layout; request the current dimensions before finalizing the location.

Does the composter need electrical power?

The standard rotary system does not rely on a permanent grid-power connection for normal placement. Optional accessories may have their own requirements; confirm the accessories included with your order.

Who is responsible for unloading and placement?

Receiving requirements depend on the model, destination and delivery method. Durvela will help clarify the delivery arrangement so you can have the appropriate access, people and handling plan ready.

Should I prepare the foundation before ordering?

Confirm the selected model, current dimensions, support-foot and anchor locations, and site guidance before constructing the slab. This helps avoid preparing a pad that does not suit the final system or delivery plan.

Prepare today. Compost with confidence for years.