Abstract: A trommel cleaner apparatus having a non-circular rotatable shaft with a plurality of flapper elements mounted thereto for wiping and cleaning engagement with a trommel is provided herein. The flapper elements each have a hub having inner and outer surfaces, with the outer surface including a plurality of flappers extending therefrom so as to engage a trommel in cleaning operation and with the inner surface including a plurality of indexing lobes to variably position the flapper element relative to the shaft and adjacent flapper elements, thereby reducing the torque spikes applied to the trommel.