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Mon, 8 Sep 1997 09:01:51 +0000 |
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U. Michigan Dept. of Anatomy & Cell Biology |
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Brett D Bannon wrote:
>
> I am thinking of purchasing a new extractor. Hoping others on this list
> have already reached the conclusions of what makes a good extractor.
> Radial or Tangential or both? Reversible or non-reversible? Hand crank
> or motor drive? Is a lid necessary? Need a good quality product for my
> money! Plan on extracting from 10 to 50 hives. So then from which honey
> supply house should I make my purchase.
>
With that number of hives, you should not even consider tangential
machines. Radial is the only way to go. I would think you should
have one that handles 32 or 40 frames. I picked up a 20 frame
extractor years ago, then realized that it was rated for 20 full depth
frames. Since I use only medium or shallow frames, I have always
placed another 20 between the first ones on the designated racks, so
making it in effect a 40 frame extractor. Even if I occasionally put
full depth frames into it, I can still interdigitate with the mediums
and get the maximum usefulness from it.
Also - don't even consider hand cranking. I used to do that as a
teenager (we used a 4 frame tangential then), which was probably a
good use for all my excess energy in those days. I can't even imagine
how much work it would be to hand crank a 40 framer!!
Yes, a lid is necessary. You don't want junk falling into the
extractor, and even if you would never do such a foolish think as
sticking your hand into a moving machine, you may get visitors who
might. And you don't need any unnecessary lawsuits over such a thing.
I have no advice on supply companies. Mine is a Dadant, which has
always given me the best of service for 19 years, but I haven't heard
of any major manufacturers which give problems.
Ted Fischer
Dexter, Michigan USA
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