I've got about 30 hides that were fleshed and dried. Had them stored in my climate controlled shop for at least 4 years. Been cleaning my shop because my parents passed and I need room for some sentimental things from their place. To my surprise the hair only pulled on 7 of the hides. Tossed them and focused on the rest. Bought some hog brains in the can and decided to try tanning. I started with one raccoon and one grey fox. The hides took the brains and tanned well. I'm at the stage of breaking the fibers. My goodness this is time consuming. No wonder that Tom Oar gets a couple hundred for a beaver hide. I've got at least 6 hours in breaking the fibers and are not there yet. Anyone know any shortcuts or tricks of the trade?

Heat and airflow.

Buff them gently with some course sand paper (I used a stone grill cleaner). Throw them in the dry with the heat off and a couple pairs of shoes.

Chew on them while your at work

Thanks for the advice I will try everything but the chewing.

When I do deer hides, I try to pick a day in the low 70s, with a bit of a breeze.

What method/tools are you using to break? I use a steel cable. I've played with a framed hide once or twice, but I have a better feel with the hide over a cable.

Sawing it back and forth on a small pipe.

Does the hide get warm when you do this? A rope or steel cable has a bit of texture which, in addition to heat, helps to fluff up the leather and make it flannel like in texture.

No it doesn't get hot or even warm. That must be my problem, not enough friction. I will try rope tonight. Thanks for the input.

Good luck. When I do deer hides, they definitely get warm.

Your golf balls sure look funny.

You're not concerned about the golf balls or baseball dinging up the drum?

I have used a spoon in the past on thin skinned hides

I work them over a thin cable. 6 hours of drying, maybe. Six hours of working? The hide would be shredded if I worked them for six hours. You only have to work them when they are already partially dry.
As far as tumblers...clothe dryer will buff them a bit but didn't do much for me. A real tumbler with a four to six-foot drop and lots of dry sawdust added will do most of the work for you, but most hobby tanners aren't going to invest in building or buying one. I've found that tumblers work best when you have a bunch of hides in there, say 15 coon at a time.
Also as others said, you need warmth or a breeze or fans to get things dry. On the fur side, you can fluff them occasionally with a leaf blower.