Hiwassee Extractors
To efficiently transfer the microbiology from your compost to your soils, you need technology that delivers reliable and scalable extraction performance. ERDIG was the first user of Hiwassee Extractors in Europe. Now we bring this technology directly to you.
Since 2026, we are the official importer of Hiwassee Products in Europe (excluding UK/IRL).
The Extractors
Machines for everyday use in the field.
Hiwassee Products extractors form the bridge between the microbiology in your compost and its application in the field.
They meet the highest standards in everyday agricultural use and extract the full microbial potential from your compost without harming the microbiology. The extractors are easy to use, low-maintenance, and allow fast, consistent, and scalable production of compost extract in any quantity –exactly when you need it.
The Hiwassee Extractors are available in three models for different farm sizes and requirements. All models are CE certified.
X100e
Our compact entry-level model X100e offers maximum flexibility through cordless drill or hand crank operation and delivers an impressive 946 liters of compost extract per hour. It is the ideal, cost-effective solution for getting started with compost extraction.
Specifications
Mesh screen: 50 (300 µm) (included)
Available accessories:
- Booster Pump to generate sufficient and consistent water pressure.
- Mesh screen 80 (180 µm)
- Mesh screen 60 (250 µm)
- Mesh screen 40 (425 µm)
Water connection: 2.5-3 bar
Operation with Booster Pump min. 16 l/min
Dimensions (LWH): ~ 107 x 39 x 51 cm
Weight: 28 kg
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X150e
The X150e is the powerhouse for medium-sized operations: With 1900 liters per hour capacity and integrated booster pump, it guarantees the highest extraction quality with maximum flexibility through cordless drill operation or hand crank. With the integrated cleaning spray hose, the X150e combines professional performance with the simplest handling in everyday agricultural use.
Specifications
Mesh screen: 50 (300 µm) (included)
Available accessories:
- Mesh screen 80 (180 µm)
- Mesh screen 60 (250 µm)
- Mesh screen 40 (425 µm)
Water connection: min. 31 l/min
Dimensions (LWH): ~ 148 x 54 x 59 cm
Weight: 64 kg
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X350e
Our fully equipped bestseller X350e offers perfectly tuned extraction results with 3785 liters per hour and full control over water pressure and feed speed. With 60 minutes of autonomous runtime, integrated transfer pump, and high mobility, it is the highly efficient complete solution for demanding medium and large operations.
Specifications
Mesh screen: 50 (300 µm) (included)
Available accessories:
- Mesh screen 80 (180 µm)
- Mesh screen 60 (250 µm)
- Mesh screen 40 (425 µm)
Water connection: min. 65 l/min
Dimensions (LWH): ~ 148 x 72 x 148 cm
Weight: 155 kg
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Distribution Partners
Our dealer network.
We distribute Hiwassee products directly and through selected distribution partners throughout Europe (excl. IRL/UK). We are expanding our dealer network and are looking for committed, professional distribution partners.
Here you will find all information about existing dealers near you.
Consultation
We will be happy to advise you.
We are happy to advise you in selecting your Hiwassee Extractor.
How It Works
How the Hiwassee Extractors work.
Our extractors get the best out of high-quality compost. The compost is placed in the hopper, where integrated water nozzles ensure that the substrate reaches an auger evenly without clogging. The auger transports the substrate at variable speed through the Extraction Chamber.
In the Extraction Chamber, water nozzles release the microbiology from the compost substrate. A cylindrical filter screen encloses the auger and filters the solids from the dissolved extract. You can use different mesh screens to achieve different filtration levels and sediment loads depending on the application.
Advantages
What are the advantages of Hiwassee Extractors?
Hiwassee Extractors are reliable machines for use in everyday agricultural operations and offer you numerous advantages.
Simple production in scalable quantities
The extractors from Hiwassee, designed as continuous flow systems, enable you to produce any quantity of extract at the push of a button – exactly when you need it. No lead time, no additives, no waiting time. This gives you a scalable system to make valuable microbiology available even for large areas.
Reliable, consistent extraction
Hiwassee extractors are designed to get the best out of high-quality compost. They release microbiology from solids better than other systems. They do this reliably, gently, and with consistent extraction quality, which is essential for agricultural use.
Robust machines for agriculture
The extractors are handcrafted and the components used meet the highest quality standards. Our top priority is to offer you a product that lasts, is easy to maintain, and integrates seamlessly into your operational processes. Spare parts are available for all products and components.
Easy cleaning
No biofilm forms during extraction, which simplifies cleaning of equipment and devices. The extractors are also completely waterproof and can be easily washed down with a cleaning hose.
FAQ extract
What is compost extract?
The production of a compost extract is the washing out of the microbiology present in a compost substrate into water. This allows the valuable microbiology to be applied over large areas. Unlike compost tea, a compost extract has higher microbiological diversity, which we consider very important for building the soil microbiome. It can be applied very versatilely: The most common methods are in-furrow application at seeding, spraying with a field sprayer, soil drenching, and seed coating. Many others are possible.
The basic prerequisite for producing a good extract is always a high-quality, microbiologically complete compost substrate. Check out our Compost Workshop to learn more about such substrates.
Compost Extract vs. Compost Tea
We are frequently asked about the difference between compost extract and compost tea. Below we explain the differences and why we work with compost extract.
What is the difference between compost extract and compost tea?
The production of compost extract is the washing out of the microbiology contained in a compost substrate into water. In this process, the valuable microbial organisms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and protozoa are rinsed from the solids in the substrate and can then be widely applied as an aqueous solution. A well-produced extract reflects the entire diversity of the extracted compost substrate.
In contrast to compost extract, in the production of compost tea, the microbiology is not only washed out of the compost substrate into water, but multiplied with the addition of nutrients and air supply. The compost tea is created in this brewing process of approximately 12-24 hours.
Why does ERDIG use compost extract for soil building?
ERDIG focuses on maximum microbial diversity in soil building. DNA tests we conducted with ETH Zurich, as well as other studies, show that the microbial diversity of an extract is many times higher than that of compost tea.
The reason for this is that the nutrient solutions and brewing process in the production of compost tea cannot equally potentiate the entire diversity of microorganisms present in a substrate. In compost tea, microorganisms are multiplied, but not all of them and not all equally.
For us, microbial diversity, especially fungal components, is of great importance in building soil health and cycles. Therefore, we use exclusively extract for this purpose.
ERDIG uses compost tea in foliar application for plant vitalization and disease suppression. For the production of compost tea, the extract produced with a Hiwassee Extractor can be used as a base and brewed into tea with the addition of nutrients and air supply.
Application of Compost Extract
The same questions repeatedly arise in practice regarding the application of compost extract. We have compiled the most important ones for you here.
How do I apply compost extract?
The application of compost extract is versatile:
- Broadcast injection or in-furrow application with seeding
- Application with field sprayer or hand sprayer
- Seed coating (especially coarser seeds)
- Watering or soil drenching
- Feeding into irrigation and fertigation systems
- Root bath for seedlings and bare-root plants before planting
The principle always remains the same: The microorganisms applied in the extract colonize soil, plants, and roots. They restore the symbiosis between the soil microbiome and plants. This means the soil microbiome helps your plants supply themselves with the necessary nutrients. And conversely, the plant feeds the soil microbiome through its root exudates.
Can I store compost extract?
Compost extract, compared to compost tea, can be stored for a certain time – up to three weeks according to some sources – without direct sunlight and with circulation. This gives you flexibility in application, but we still recommend the freshest possible production and use. With the continuous flow systems of Hiwassee Extractors, this is no problem, as large quantities of extract can be produced in a very short time.
Compost tea, on the other hand, must be applied quickly after the brewing process before nutrients and oxygen are depleted. Otherwise, the microbial cultures risk collapsing or even putrefaction processes in the tea.
In extraction, unlike the brewing process in compost tea, there is no multiplication of microorganisms. This also means that if pathogens or undesirable microbes should be present in the starting substrate, they are not multiplied. A high-quality substrate remains the most important basic prerequisite.
Can I use too much compost extract?
In short: No. Here is the explanation: Only natural starting materials are used for the extract, and in extraction the existing microbiology is not multiplied, only washed out. In addition, the nutrient content of a compost extract is negligible due to the starting materials used and the high dilution. Overdosing or over-fertilization is therefore not possible, which makes the application relatively simple and safe.
What application areas is compost extract intended for?
Compost extract can be applied not only on agricultural land. It unfolds its effect wherever soils and plants are to be supported by microbiology in their natural strength, fertility, and resilience.
This certainly includes arable and vegetable farming as well as grassland, but also in viticulture, tree nurseries, horticultural operations (seedlings), landscape gardening, home gardens, green spaces and parks, lawns, etc., there are numerous application areas for compost extract.
The Right Compost Substrate
A high-quality compost substrate forms the basis for a good compost extract.
How do I recognize a good compost substrate?
A good compost substrate is essential for the production of compost extract. A high diversity of microbial life, especially fungal components, is an important characteristic. The compost should be well-matured and neither too wet nor too dry. It is also important that pristine and high-quality starting materials were used, no putrefaction occurred in the composting process, and the substrate was not composted too hot and fast.
In addition to sensory testing, an assessment of biological activity and diversity by microscopy is recommended. The Soil Food Web (according to Dr. Elaine Ingham) trains specialists worldwide who master the appropriate test procedures and can make assessments. Bacterial and fungal biomass, fungal-to-bacterial ratio (F:B ratio), and the presence of protozoa, nematodes, and other microorganisms are measured.
The goal of the test is to ensure that the compost contains a biologically complete community that suppresses pathogenic organisms, ensures nutrient cycles efficiently and effectively, and promotes healthy plant growth.
Where can I obtain good compost substrate?
For the Swiss market, ERDIG offers an extraction substrate that has FiBL certification (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) for organic arable farming. This is available in various containers and can be purchased in the online shop.
In addition, we are currently working intensively on the certification of our own biologically complete compost substrate, which demonstrably has very high microbial diversity and activity as well as a high fungal component. This substrate is expected to be approved from autumn 2026 for conventional cultivation and in a second, later step for organic cultivation according to the FiBL list.
In Europe, we generally recommend contacting local producers of high-quality substrates. We are happy to try to recommend manufacturers near you.
How much compost substrate do I need?
We work with extraction using the Hiwassee Extractor with approximately 6 liters of biologically complete compost substrate per 100 liters of extract per hectare. We dilute the pure extract again with the same amount of water depending on the application form and conditions in the field (e.g., drought), sometimes even more.
What else should I pay attention to?
Neither compost tea nor compost extract is a “quick fix.” To achieve sustainable improvements in the soil, it is recommended to follow as many of the following regenerative principles as possible – of course, taking into account your individual application context and operation. Proceed thoughtfully and carefully and continuously develop your practices.
Disturb the soil as little as possible
Avoid deep plowing or inversion tillage as much as possible to preserve the natural soil structure, fungal network, and habitats of microorganisms.
Keep the soil covered at all times
Through mulch or cover crops, you protect the soil surface from erosion, desiccation, and direct sunlight. And you also bring valuable organic matter and nutrients to the field.
Living root systems
With continuous planting as much as possible, you ensure the nutrition of soil life throughout the year.
Promote maximum diversity
Diversity in crops and cover crops breaks disease cycles and ensures a stable, resilient ecosystem.
Integration of livestock
Through targeted and rotational grazing management, animals bring manure and valuable microbiology back to the land, closing the natural cycle – from the blade of grass through the rumen and as manure back to the soil.
Reduce synthetic inputs
The goal is to minimize the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides by strengthening the resilience and microbial vitality of the soil. The idea is to replace these inputs with natural biology and intact symbiotic cycles between plant and soil.
Process
Insight into working with Hiwassee extractors.
No long preparation, scalable extraction, easy cleaning, and robust construction – Hiwassee extractors offer decisive advantages in everyday farm operations.
