Extractor rebuild??? Can you give me any info on this extractor???

Started by joker1656, July 03, 2009, 11:48:16 PM

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joker1656

July 03, 2009, 11:48:16 PM
My wife's aunt gave us this extractor.  It is galvanized and has four baskets.  It has an electric motor that sits separate from the tub itself.  The motor runs the extractor by belt.  There is a lever that will, with a little convincing, switch the baskets from one side to the other (if that makes any sense).  I believe the plate on it says A.I. Root.  It is quite large, tub-wise.  I guess it is only a 4 frame, but maybe you can give me a little info??? 

Another question is about reconditioning it and making it "food safe".  I know there is a kit you can buy from one of the supply companies.  Does it work well?  Does it make the extractor usable indefinitely? 

Also, how do you clean this thing?  It has gunk, presumably old honey, in the very bottom edges.  It also has quite a bit of rust. 

Any advice, or direction would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Here are a few pics... I hope they help.

The first one is cropped to show the extractor top to bottom.  In the pic it has a few things sitting on top, but hopefully you can make out the top of the extractor showing the pulleys etc.  The triangular thing is nothing involved with the extractor.  I have no idea what it was used for, and the other thing is an old pollen trap. 

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9272/dscf54332.jpg

This pic is of the interior of the machine.  It is of one of the baskets.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6827/dscf5448.jpg

These pics are better.  I just now found them... of course, after I uploaded the previous ones.

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/667/dscf5457.jpg
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/6266/dscf5455.jpg
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7536/dscf5461.jpg

If specific pics would help you help me, then feel free to ask.  Thanks again!

Oh yeah.... Is this type of "wanna be" motorized extractor worth the time and effort to make useable???  Obviously I need to modify it to make it a little safer.  Kinda an accident waiting to happen it seems LOL
"Fear not the night.  Fear that which walks the night.  I am that which walks the night, BUT only EVIL need fear me..."-Lt. Col. David Grossman

Brian D. Bray

#1
July 04, 2009, 03:26:59 AM
What you have is an old A. I. Root reversable frame extractor, I wanted one so bad 50 years ago.  The baskets flip or reverse so that the beekeeper doesn't have to remove the frame from the basket and rotate sides as is necessary on transgenial extractors.  Clean it up, paint it with a good food grade epoxy paint, and you're good to go.

The popularity of the revesable frame extractor was short lived as the radial extractor soon followed.
Life is a school.  What have you learned?   :brian:      The greatest danger to our society is apathy, vote in every election!

joker1656

#2
July 04, 2009, 08:35:24 AM
Ahhhhhhh....I see.  Thanks, Brian.  That is what I suspected, but have never even touched another type of extractor, so I was not sure.  Do I need to disassemble this extractor to coat it?  I assume so.  I think that the coating would freeze all of the moving parts.  ??? 

It is so big and a little cumbersome, I wondered if I would be better off buying a small, stainless, handcrank extractor.  What do you think?  I like free, but was not sure if it was worth the space it consumes. 
"Fear not the night.  Fear that which walks the night.  I am that which walks the night, BUT only EVIL need fear me..."-Lt. Col. David Grossman

Michael Bush

#3
July 04, 2009, 11:16:29 AM
If you are handy with tools, yes they are well worth refurbishing.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
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qa33010

#4
July 04, 2009, 09:33:51 PM
    That is too cool!  That is a job I would enjoy...more than likely bungle it and then have to get someone to do it right.  But it would be fun.
Everyone said it couldn't be done. But he with a chuckle replied, "I won't be one to say it is so, until I give it a try."  So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin.  If he had a worry he hid it and he started to sing as he tackled that thing that couldn't be done, and he did it.  (unknown)

nella

#5
July 04, 2009, 11:16:51 PM
The folllowing two links will explain how to remove the rust by electrolysis. You will have to take it apart to strip the extractor parts and repaint them.
http://antique-engines.com/electrol.asp
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/rust/electrolytic_derusting.htm

beee farmer

#6
July 05, 2009, 12:02:19 AM
I just redid one like that, I purchased a 9 frame radial basket to replace the original 4 frame from Kellys. Works wonderful!  Can knock out 55 gal by myself in a day hand uncapping.  You have a gem treat her right and she will serve you well.
"Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do"  Benjamin Franklin

joker1656

#7
July 05, 2009, 12:06:32 AM
Well, I will probably bungle it too, but I will give it a whirl.  LOL

Thanks for the links.  They will be a great help.

Glad to see that someone has done this.  The 9 frame replacement might be a handy idea too. 
"Fear not the night.  Fear that which walks the night.  I am that which walks the night, BUT only EVIL need fear me..."-Lt. Col. David Grossman

Chick

#8
July 06, 2009, 06:23:27 AM
I have no idea of the brand, but I used one exactly like it for years, and it worked like a charm! Wish I had never sold it.
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