Dadant Junior Bench Extractor Question

[stoweski]

Hi all!

I have a Dadant Jr. Bench Extractor that I purchased used on this site last summer. I used it on two supers this fall with limited success... the frames were sufficiently cleaned and the honey has been delicious. Being our first year of beekeeping we felt elated to get that much honey in our first season.

My problem is that the hand crank shaft is wearing and leaves metal filings on the top of the extractor. I lubricated it and that temporarily stopped the wearing. However, in preparation for our second year of extracting, and the possibility of using a hand drill instead of a hand crank, I am looking for others who may have run into the same problem on this or possibly on other extractors. I have removed and disassembled the unit and will be adding at least one bushing where the shaft & bracket meet.

Does anyone know if there originally were bushings between the bracket and the shaft? The shaft passes through the bracket in two places.
Finally, does anyone have a manual for this extractor that may address the maintenance of this extractor?

Thanks for your help!
Keith

[notaclue]

Have you contacted Dadant for any information they may have?

Is the shaft loose or sloppy? Mine is in pretty snug, I'll have to go look at it tomorrow. But the literature or even a parts listing, hopefully with exploded view, would be good.

[stoweski]

I have not contacted Dadant yet (they're on my list). Thought I would post here first to see if anyone ran into the same problem. Since no instructions came with the extractor I have no idea what the maintenance would be.

I've decided to turn down part of the shaft and fit two bearings on it. The bearings should keep it from wearing anymore and if necessary I can replace the bearings in the future.

I'm also going to contact Dadant and ask if there is a users guide for the extractor and if they have replacement parts. I'll see what the cost of a new shaft would be.

Suppose I should be assembling frames & supers instead of messing with an extractor at this point. :rolleyes: