[gman1001]

I'm seeing this one on Amazon but not sure if its any good.

http://www.amazon.com/Hardin-Royal-...id=1404409056&sr=8-8&keywords=honey+extractor

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

This line from the description is not a good sign ...

• 2 Frames Measuring 17" Tall By 11" Wide

Standard frames are 17 3/4" across the end bars, plus another 1.25" to accommodate the topbar 'ears', for an overall length of 19". That could just be an error in the description, or maybe not.

Keep in mind that this two frame extractor is almost certainly tangential style, so you will load two frames, extract, flip the frames and then extract the other side of those same frames.

"Lifetime warranty" sounds good, but is it believable? Are they really going to replace the motor for free if it craps out? What are the terms of that - do you have to pay to ship the entire extractor back to them for evaluation? What about return shipping?

 

[WBVC]

I got a Maxant...I think it is a 3100 or some such. Works great and easy to store.

 

[gman1001]

Those Maxant's look nice! But expensive and they don't have an electric model for small scale folks like me!

 

[MAXANT]

Most of my business is to small scale folks!
The 3100 is the peoples champ for 1-20 hives!
Buy the 2 frame hand crank, and add on to it at your leisure!
http://www.maxantindustries.com/extractors.html

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

Note that Maxant's 2 frame model is 2 frames radially. That means no flipping of frames, and both frame sides are extracted at the same time. So total frame throughput should be about twice the Amazon (Hardin) unit.

.

 

[DPBsbees]

I bought the 3100P a few years ago, and haven't regretted it for a moment. I can be uncapping away while it's spinning, and I can get the most honey out of the frames without getting cramps. If you intend to stick with this hobby for a while, and can afford it, get the Maxant 3100P. Believe me, you won't regret it.

 

[Beeracuda]

I just bought a Maxant 3100H today. I wanted to go with the 3100P, but the hand crank will work for this year and I will upgrade next year. I liked the fact that this is a radial extractor.

 

[Acebird]

I would crush and strain before I would invest in an extractor that isn't radial whether it had a hand crank or not.

 

[oldforte]

DPBs ... with two frames side by side ...and maybe touching .. how does the honey flow out? so .. you need to turn the tangential ones around and cycle again?

 

[cg3]

They wanted $699 for that extractor on another site.

 

[Bob J]

Another vote for the Maxant.... I have a 3100P and it is nothing short of awesome......;- )

An extractor is a serious investment and if I am going to spend the money I would rather spend a bit more and get the best..... Also does a great job of holding it's value in case you want to upgrade in the future.....

 

[suburbanrancher]

So does the conical bottom on the Maxant feed DIRECTLY into the honey gate? The one our club has is from Dadant and the flat bottom sits about 1/2" below the honey gate so I feel that I lose quite a bit of honey. I left it out for the bees to take back, but still... I wish someone made a bottom that angled toward the honey gate.

 

[Bob J]

So does the conical bottom on the Maxant feed DIRECTLY into the honey gate? The one our club has is from Dadant and the flat bottom sits about 1/2" below the honey gate so I feel that I lose quite a bit of honey. I left it out for the bees to take back, but still... I wish someone made a bottom that angled toward the honey gate.

The honey gate does sit about half inch above the edge of the conical bottom as you describe.... After letting it drain down from the sides and tilting it to drain I guess there is roughly half a cup of honey left....

 

[suburbanrancher]

Ah, I see. Thank you for the prompt reply Bob. It still looks like a good extractor.

 

[Dan. NY]

I actually extracted two days ago with my Maxant. Last year I didnt quite have it fine tuned, but this year I hit the button and it spun the frames nicely. You cant go wrong with this unit.

EDIT: A few spoon and a few young helpers took care of the small amount of honey left in the bottom. Yes it would be great to be 100% perfectly empty, but the spoon for a few minutes did the job..

 

[Acebird]

I wish someone made a bottom that angled toward the honey gate.

You could drill a hole in the bottom and cork it or add another valve.

 

[Rader Sidetrack]

Even drilling a hole and adding another honey gate is not going to get all the honey out. The nut that would secure the threads on the additional honey gate has to be higher than the bottom of the tank in order to retain the honey gate.

The clearance for the retaining nut is also why the honey gate on the side of the tank is not all the way at the bottom of the tank.

 

[snl]

... I wish someone made a bottom that angled toward the honey gate.

I agree and they could do it, but at what price?......

 

[Acebird]

Even drilling a hole and adding another honey gate is not going to get all the honey out. The nut that would secure the threads on the additional honey gate has to be higher than the bottom of the tank in order to retain the honey gate.

Use a Pem stud Rader if the nut is an issue.
http://www.pemnet.com/fastening_products/pem-self-clinching-fastener_new.html