shopping for extractor

Paul H · 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?

Ross · July 14, 2008, 10:09:12 AM

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.

BearCreekBees · July 14, 2008, 10:25:44 AM

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.

lovelyembalmer · July 14, 2008, 11:30:19 AM

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.

Moonshae · July 14, 2008, 03:19:50 PM

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.

BeeHopper · July 14, 2008, 04:18:22 PM

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

indypartridge · July 16, 2008, 08:14:33 AM

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

Kathyp · July 16, 2008, 07:11:49 PM

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.

johnnybigfish · July 16, 2008, 10:23:03 PM

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

Paul H · July 18, 2008, 12:30:57 AM

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?

xC0000005 · July 18, 2008, 04:45:43 AM

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. 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.

Yarra_Valley · July 18, 2008, 10:01:04 AM

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.