Another Radial Extractor Question

[woodchopper]

Although my wife and I are first year beekeepers we REALLY enjoy everything about it. We've got two hives started this year and everything except the bees for four more next year. I'm 47 now and can see myself buying more hives down the road. I've read the past post here on extractors and none of them had the info I'd like. I'm considering the Brushy Mt. Deluxe 9-frame Radial and the Maxant 1400 motorized. Because we live in Massachusetts I can drive to Maxant and save on shipping charges. The Brushy Mt. radial after shipping charges is only about $100 cheaper than the Maxant but has some nice features. Although the Maxant holds 20 mediums I would imagine it can be run at less than full capacity with no harm to the unit. Because we have wire crimp foundation we want a radial to prevent blowouts. Also with spare time being scarce a radial will greatly cut our extraction time. I realize there are less expensive routes out there but I'm willing to spend the extra money up front to buy good quality. Anyone here familiar with one or both of these units? Which one would you recommend ? Thanks for your time !!

[honeyman46408]

""I'm 47 now and can see myself buying more hives down the road.""

Buy biger NOW because you will need it later!!

I don`t know anything about either unit you are speeking of, both are probably good, I have a 6-12 Dadant power and like it.

[The Honey House]

I have two of the Maxant 1400P - great unit. Highly recomend.
You can run just one frame in it if you like!
Unit needs to be mounted to the floor or to a half sheet of plywood.

[woodchopper]

Glad to hear I don't have to have a full load to run it. The Honey House, did you have it shipped or pick it up yourself to save shipping? It looks like it'd last a lifetime.

[The Honey House]

I drove there and picked them up. They are about an hour's drive from my house.

[Michael Bush]

>Although the Maxant holds 20 mediums I would imagine it can be run at less than full capacity with no harm to the unit.

The first batch will always bee full capacity. The last will always be less.

> Because we have wire crimp foundation we want a radial to prevent blowouts.

I doesn't matter.

> Also with spare time being scarce a radial will greatly cut our extraction time.

This does matter. The radial will be a lot less handling of the frames.

[woodchopper]

Michael, I can only hope this being our first year we'll have enough mediums for a full load. We only have two hives this year. If it happens I won't complain.

[Ann]

What we're really trying to find out is the diameter of the Maxant extractor. We've sent them an e-mail but as far as I know we've received no response. The Brushy extractor is 22". I'm worried about storing the beast for most of the year, and having to transport it between two houses (we're going to have bees up in Maine, too, which is why we're purchasing our own rather than using the club's down in Mass, where we live fulltime). Anyone know the diameter of the Maxant 1400?

[Michael Bush]

I have a 9/18 radial and it just fits easily through my kitchen door. I never measured it. My guess is the 20 frame would be a tight squeeze but would probably fit.

[The Honey House]

Anyone know the diameter of the Maxant 1400?
Yes, I do. It's 27 inches.

[woodchopper]

Thanks for all the replies.