Worm composting machine

A worm composting machine, comprising:

• an elongated support frame, at least about fifteen feet in length and with a width dimension much smaller than the length;
• a series of cross beams in the support frame extending transversely, the support frame including side and end frame members, side walls and end walls connected to the side and end frame members;
• a series of grates resting horizontally on the support frame above the cross beams, the grates being primarily open and positioned on the support frame in series with a longitudinal gap formed between the edges of the grates along a longitudinal center line of the frame, the longitudinal gap forming a guide channel continuous through the length of the series of grates, and the grates forming a compost-supporting floor;
• a carriage movable along the frame through the length of the series of grates, the carriage having two opposed longitudinal ends and having a keel slidably positioned within the guide channel, the keel having a length no greater than about 15 inches and the carriage further includes a compost cutting blade extending transversely across the width of the series of grates and spaced above the grates by a selected distance;
• and
• a carriage driving mechanism including a tension line connected to each of the two opposed longitudinal ends and extending from the carriage in each of two opposed longitudinal directions, and a motor and drive system driving the tension line, with a motor control for causing the carriage to be moved from one end of the machine to the opposite end, drawing the cutting blade from one end of the series of grates to the opposite end, cutting a bottom layer of compost of a desired thickness and discharging the compost having said desired thickness down through the series of grates.