I'd like to look into buying an extractor, but don't know what to look for. I have one hive this year, a will start a second (maybe third) next year, but no more than that. Looking for quality built, not a lot of bells and whistles, but one that will last for ...a lifetime?
Can anyone help?
Most of the extractors are fine, but for one hive I could not recommend one. For five hives I still wouldn't recommend one. After you get past 10 hives you could start thinking about one, but I still wouldn't pay new prices if I could help it. It takes a long time to make that much honey with a few hives. I would stick with cut comb or crush and strain for a while.
If I only had a handful of hives I would check with the local beekeepers association to see if they had one available for members' use. If not, I would check around with other beekeepers to see if anyone in the area had a small one they would rent out for a small fee.
Crushing and straining is a pain in the neck, for me, so I would not go that route. I would buy a small 2, 3, or 4 frame manual extractor from either Dadant or Kelley. Or, if you have the $$$ to spend, go ahead and get the electric model. Either should last a lifetime, maybe more than one lifetime. I have 3 Kelley extractors now and they are really solid, high quality extractors. All were purchased used, and I expect that my grandkids could still be using them 50 years from now. IF I had grandkids, which I don't, lol. But, SOMEBODY'S grandkids will be using them.
Buy a used extractor if you can find one, as long as it has been well cared for- you should expect to pay about 1/2 the cost of a new one.
I bought an electric 3 frame tangenital extractor, used, and it has proven to be a real workhorse- we have extracted over 80 medium supers at a time with that one- takes awhile, but it does a great job. I think that one is a Maxant- another good manufacturer if you can find them.
Even if you get a manuel one, you can make it work with a drill. Our is a four (small) rack extractor or two brood box size. Our gears went out last week extracting four supers and we took the gears off and chucked a drill to the bar and spun the honey out with no problem.
Brushy Mtn usually has a free shipping deal at the end of the year...consider going there for your extractor...they're heavy and bulky, so the shipping adds up quickly.
Quote from: Paul H on July 14, 2008, 12:17:37 AM
I'd like to look into buying an extractor, but don't know what to look for. I have one hive this year, a will start a second (maybe third) next year, but no more than that. Looking for quality built, not a lot of bells and whistles, but one that will last for ...a lifetime?
Can anyone help?
NY is a huge Beekeeping state, Check with your Ag Extention office for a list of BeeKeeping Clubs nearest you, many of which have equipment for members to share, it is very beneficial to join one. :-D
Quote from: BeeHopper on July 14, 2008, 04:18:22 PM
NY is a huge Beekeeping state, Check with your Ag Extention office for a list of BeeKeeping Clubs nearest you, many of which have equipment for members to share, it is very beneficial to join one. :-D
I'll second what BeeHopper said. There are SO many advantages to getting connected with other local beeks. Just in recent weeks I have borrowed an extractor; hauled nucs across the state for a fellow beek; got a replacement queen; referred a swarm call to another beek; given a 4-H beekeeping demonstration; etc., all because of "connections".
New York clubs:
http://www.masterbeekeeper.org/resources/beegroups.htm
try craigs list. i got mine as part of a bulk buy. i agree with the others, though. no need for one if you only have a few hives.
Mannn,...I couldnt believe how expensive extractors have gotten in the last few months :shock:
Unless I saw the information on pricing wrong,(which is totally possible the more i think of it) in a new catalog I recently got from kelleys, one like mine was about 700$!! Mines a four frame hand crank and I last saw it running for about 350$..I got mine used for 50$ last spring. I was extremely lucky.
I wouldnt get the plastic type if I were you. In my opinion they cost way too much for what theyre built from..I would think they would be easy to break too.
At first, the extractor was fun :-D.....Then it turned into work...But not as much work as Crush and Strain I bet.(I've only used the extractor to get honey).
your friend,
john
The Compact Deluxe, though affordably priced and having nice features, looks like it may not be the highest quality machine on the market.
The Maxant 3100 looks to be a much better machine, but for a much higher price.
The machines coming from Dadant have the lightest gage steel, but are midrange on the price ,IIRC .
What other extractors are there?
What features do you like/dislike about your extractor?
Quote from: Paul H on July 14, 2008, 12:17:37 AM
I'd like to look into buying an extractor, but don't know what to look for. I have one hive this year, a will start a second (maybe third) next year, but no more than that. Looking for quality built, not a lot of bells and whistles, but one that will last for ...a lifetime?
Can anyone help?
Borrow from a friend.
Rent from an association
Build. Build your own honey extractor. (http://www.voiceofthehive.com/VotH/15_1_Voice_of_the_Hive-Roll_Your_own_Extractor.htm) Seriously, I feel like a broken record at this time of year as I say over and over and over - build it if you can. It doesn't do deep frames but that's a cheap trade off for me. Then again, you can do whatever you want but extractors are really expensive.
Buy. Only if the other options don't pan out.
If you have a beekeeping club around that could be useful. Most beekeepers in my club stockpile all the stuff they want to sell for the yearly auction. However, if I need something, I usually ask in the meeting, and afterwards a few people tell me they've got what I want.
Anyway, I picked up an old extractor for AU$40. I also picked up another one off a farmer I know who didn't need it. I see the occasional extractor in my area on Ebay, which could be useful. I've never wanted to spend too much on an extractor, as I'm not sure how many hives I will grow to yet. If and when I do buy a higher capacity motor driven one, i'd like to by it secondhand, so I can could sell and get a decent price for it. It would be the kind of investment I'd want to make once though.