Your thoughts on sm extractors--hand crank or motorized?

twb · December 01, 2007, 12:57:39 PM

I just can not decide between the 6 frame or 9 frame radial hand crank or motorized. Hand crank simplicity looks good to me. No motor means one less thing that can break. Yet with motor I can do uncapping etc. while frames are spinning. How long do you spend cranking a 9 frame to empty the frames? And with a maximum of, let's say, 10 hives,(I currently have only 4) is it worth the extra $ to get a motor? Are the motors virtually trouble free? Maybe some of you can shed the light of experience on this? Thanks.

pttom · December 01, 2007, 01:04:40 PM

I have a 9 frame radial hand turn from Brushy Mountain and it worked great with only 8 hives, but with 25 I am going to up grade before long. It will save a lot of time not having to hand crank.

Understudy · December 01, 2007, 04:34:20 PM

I started with a plastic Chinese made hand extractor. Did fine for about a year. The extractor got damaged when I dropped it. I replaced it with a metal one and put on a varible speed motor.

The plastic one is fine when you have just a few hives. When you get more you will want to upgrade to avoid carpal tunnel. :)

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · December 01, 2007, 05:30:48 PM

I held out until I could afford a 9/18 motorized. I've never regretted holding out. A small hand crank is very time consuming and inefficient.

Brian D. Bray · December 01, 2007, 07:51:11 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on December 01, 2007, 05:30:48 PM
I held out until I could afford a 9/18 motorized. I've never regretted holding out. A small hand crank is very time consuming and inefficient.

But think of all the calories you burn.

deantn · December 02, 2007, 10:17:47 AM

Still like mine, a plastic garbage can with a 9 frame SS setup mounted inside. Bought in late 70's from a company here in TN. that Dadant bought out about a year after they started. Runs with a drill attached to the top shaft and works fine with a variable speed B&D attached to it.Only have two hives now but a planning a few more this next spring.

Greg Peck · December 02, 2007, 10:24:59 AM

Go with the motorized one. I have extracted with both and after using the motorized one I would not buy a hand crank. So much time was saved and I was a lot less sore after extracting.

Understudy · December 02, 2007, 10:36:14 AM

A small note.

The motorized one's are nice if they have the right motor. A varible speed motor is best.
When I first bought my metal extractor with the motor it would blow out my frames. One thing you have with a hand crank is the ability to control the speed.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

twb · December 02, 2007, 11:09:48 AM

OK, thanks to you all. It sounds like a variable speeded motorized extractor is the way to go. Your confirmations are appreciated.