Waxing dirt today

I have been tied up with domestic chores for most of the summer and attempting to get them all nailed down. Figured I needed to get started on waxing dirt as the fall is approaching quickly.

I took a few photos today on my first batch.

Dirt dumped in mixer and ready for the wax.



Measured wax ready to dump in the mixer with the dirt.



Dirt and Wax ready to tumble cold first before heating



Torch is on, drum is turning, the wax/dirt mix is heating



The dirt has come to temp around 140 degrees > 150 degrees give or take. Time to dump and cool.



Shooting the waxed dirt with a laser to get a temp reading after dumping from the mixer. Now getting ready to spread out and rake until cool.



Cooling is about air temperature now.



Dirt - Wax dirt ready to bucket.

Looks good Bob!! I need to get me a mixer!! Would save alot of time if your doing big batches!! Thanks for the pictures!!

Oh, gosh yes. I can do a 1/4 ton a day just fooling around when I have some spare time. If I have my dirt and wax measured out I could do a ton a day easy or if I had assistance. That's about 50 buckets.

I had a mixer I sold a year ago. Wish I had it back now :-(

What do you dump it on to cool?

I had built a sliding 4 'x 8' truck bed liner tray years ago for a work vehicle. I needed a better and easier way to reach all of my equipment for ADC work. The truck had a cap on it as well. When I found a commercial sliding alum. bed access system I took the heavy old plywood one out and saved it for something else.

Glad I saved it now and didn't dismantle it. It has roller castors on it as well so I can roll it around easily. It is heavy.

I put it too good use. Now it is used to for drying dirt and cooling waxed dirt. It has 12" sides so it works great for that purpose. I rake it out and it cools pretty fast then shovel it up.

Thanks for posting that Bob. And here I am a small hobby trapper who makes waxed dirt with a microwave oven. I can do enough for 6 to 8 sets in an hour. Might have to look for a small cement mixer.

I had borrowed a mixer for a few years then my buddy needed it back one day. When I went to make waxed dirt again and mix my peat and dirt cover blend I sure didn't like going back to the stick in a tub routine. I went to Harbor Freight and got "me" a cement mixer.

It was a very good investment for me. Now it is at the ready this time of year whenever I need it.

Guys who don't use much prepared trap cover can get by using a method that is available to them on a smaller scale. Nothing wrong with that.

I use to do it in an old oven I have for a few years. That got old real fast and time consuming. My problem now is having enough dry sifted dirt to process. That is where the time and work is involved for me. If that sand wasn't so darn heavy I would use it and you generally have to pay for that.

If you have a trapper buddy who can pitch in to help it goes pretty fast or a wife or girlfriend that doesn't know any better.

It can be a dusty, dirty job but all worth it in the end when its wet, rainy with the freeze / thaw and wind chill going on all around you.

I just did this for my first time. After I took the heat off I let the mixer run for 30 minutes during cool down. It did take longer to do my little bit but it sure did a fine job of keeping it from clumping. I’d imagine large amounts I’d do the rake method.

Question once at temp and melting how long did you leave the heat on and how long did you let it mix before dumping starting cool down?

I use a laser gun thermometer to check the outside of the turning drum in the middle for the external temp. When it gets to 160 degrees or above that is an indicator that my internal mix temperature is near my 140 degree mark. I then stop the mixer and open the lid, shoot the dirt/wax mix for the temp. I then know if I need a bit more time or I am good.

If it is at temperature I dump immediately into a large tub and carry it to my dump tray. Rake it out a little to speed the cooling process. This may only take 10-15 mins.

During this cooling cycle I am measuring more dirt and wax for my next load. I will rake again and check for the temp of the cooling dirt/wax. If it is 90 or below I shovel it into my containers.

Good setup, mixer is the only way to go.

Awesome Bob!

So no problem with the inside of the mixer being painted when it's brand new. Or do you run a mix a gravel or sand first when brand new

Never was concerned about some paint flaking off and it does on occasion. It is an inert material with no real odor. I do pick out any flakes I may find in the mix. However other then that there are no worries. No need to be concerned. Folks dip their traps in roof tar that is diluted and mixed with fuel. Definitely no worries with some paint flakes every now and then.

Thanks Bob

I use a mixer also but I let the torch dry the dirt. By the time the dirt gets 140 it's powder dry. after the waxing and the torch is off I just let it tumble to cool til it's below 100 then dump and store.
I do 6 gallons at a time.
Easy peesy

Thank you Bob. It’s definitely easiest way to go. I too use the laser to gauge heat. It’s easy as all get out. I like your knowledge I’ve already took notes for my next time doing it.

Nice presentation