Dadant Plastic Extractor

[Hobie]

Dadant sells a plastic honey extractor for hobbyists. It is currently out of stock, so is not on their web site now, but they tell me it is in the 2007 catalog and will be on the web site when in stock. It runs about $100.

Does anyone have any experience with or opinions on this extractor? I was considering it, because I am just starting out and only intend to harvest honey for my own use, and it is about half the price of a SS model. That being said, I do not want to buy something that I will be frustrated with and just replace in a year or two.

[ January 11, 2007, 09:30 AM: Message edited by: Hobie ]

[middlesattrefarm]

My neighbor had one, if not the same similar. She had 4 hives and thought that it was alright. it also took her a day and a half to extract her 300 pounds of honey. I had five hive last year, and harvested 350 pounds, extracted with a borrowed electric 2 frame model that was homemade. it took about 3 hours with clean up. I would consider waiting, and possibly finding another beekeeper that you could help with their extracting, and do you own at the same time. You will learn alot, and find out what you might like in an extractor.
I don't know what you make at you job, but do you want to spend a weekend extracting? I don't.
Used basket types are a dime a dozen out there, I just saw one on amazon for $50.

[betrbekepn]

Hi Hobie
I purchased Dadants plastic honey extractor 3 years ago. My only real complaint is it has plastic gears. I've gotten a cranking too hard and felt the plastic gears slip a few times. If your going to do a lot of extracting I'd look at SS Model. I might be interested in selling it. It's only been used 3 times. Once a year for 3 years to extract honey from my one beehive. I also have a Walter T. Kelly uncapping tub too I might be willing to sell. Let me know.

[Hobie]

Hmmm... used equipment. So obvious, I never thought of it. *duh!* I'm off to the "wanted" forum...

[Michael Bush]

IMO anything less than a 9/18 electric is way too much work...