Old A.I. Root extractor..how does it work?

[Mabe]

Just got Dad's old A.I. Root "L35 Three Frame Extractor and Cappings dryer" in it's original box. It is a small galvanized can with a cream enameled round screen basket inside. It appears to have three frame holders...same material as the basket with 2" fins mounted perpendicularly on the back of each. A nice heavy metal gate screws on the bottom. The problem is, being a beginner, I have no idea how to work the thing. The cranking part is obvious, but how the frames fit into the holders (since my frames are mediums and this is clearly for deeps) and then how the holders fit into the unit is stumping me. There are also three pieces of lumber in the barrel which may or may not be necessary to the setup.

And what the heck do they mean by "cappings dryer"?

I've Googled and searched this website, all to no avail...so now I'm asking anyone here who might help. This is the only extractor I have...yet! And I thought i was going to be extracting this weekend???

[dickm]

If it's what I think, it's not too different from new 3 frame tangenital extractors. The frames go in the center of the rack with one side toward the outer curve. Then you have to reverse them to get the honey out of the other side. Center any smaller frames in the rack. It's made for both mediums and deeps. The lumber may be to attach to the feet. Cappings were probably dried by putting them in a special basket and whirling them around as if they were frames. This may be what you mean by a "holder." Can you get to a dealer and look at a new one? Find a maker and download directions? Isn't this FUN? Good luck.

Dickm

[Mabe]

Thanks for the quick reply Dick! I'll follow up on your suggestion to find a similar more modern model.

I've been goofing around with it and trying different permutations...I may have the positioning of the racks figured out. I kind of expected them to be attached somewhere inside the drum, but I guess it's the centrifugal force that holds them. There are just three loose racks and that's what had me stumped. No apparent slots to fit them into.

You are probably right about the lumber. The pieces are covered with paper toweling, so perhaps they were used to protect the floor. There are no feet, just the galvanized garbage type can. It has to be elevated on something to use the gate on the bottom. Hope it's well balanced so it doesn't do too much traveling!