Advice please, concerning purchase of smaller radial extractor

[Lburou]

While extracting honey this year, it seems to me that a radial extractor will save a lot of frame manipulations and dripped honey too.  So, I'm looking for a small radial extractor.  Reading the specs on available extractors, it seems I'm in the minority spinning deep frames.  What is the smallest radial extractor that will accommodate deep frames?  Where can a used radial extractor be found?

Thanks for any advice or information you can offer.   

[Perry]

Craigslist for folks in USA. Look for used, and if you have no choice to, look at new, but be prepared for sticker shock for quality.
I believe someone made a 9 frame radial. My buddy Adam converted a 4 frame with reversible baskets into a 9 frame radial.
Radial extracting has made my life a lot easier.

[Garden Hive]

I was in the same mindset. After being beat up from a 2 frame tangential extractor, I wanted a radial. Looked and looked...
Many have baskets that allow for deep frames, but then are tangential. So for true radial, I went with this, Sticker Shock Alert ! But not as bad as some.

http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/18-Frame-Power-Radial-Extractor-w_German-motor/productinfo/801G/

Couldn't find anything used. I guess you really have to be lucky or just in the right place to stumble upon a used. I look at it as, the one I have won't be for sale.

[LazyBkpr]

When looking for used, Don't bypass the add that says 24 frame radial extractor..   I paid 100 dollars for my 24 frame extractor. It took some work and some camcoat to bring it up to working condition, but in all I have less than three hundred dollars invested in it.
   I have found, honestly.. that older is better in most cases..  Like cars, extractor prices are going UP while the thickness of metal used in their construction is going down.    My old AI Root extractor has cast iron base and top for the basket. The center rod is 1" in diameter..  I REALLY have to unblance it to make it start to dance. 
   With the smaller Maxant extractor I had, I found that it was not nearly as easy to use, and that I had more blowouts.  My first ever use of the BIG extractor I had 0 blowouts. I think the sturdiness of the extractor contributes to this.  With the maxant everything flexed, and i had to struggle with keeping the speed uniform.. it had a fiber washer type clutch you adjusted via a wingnut. It was quite unreliable and wasted a lot of power..   A single belt and a variable speed rheostat is a much better option and could easily be added at a later time.
   If the price is cheap enough, a lot can be done to make a used extractor much more usable.

[Lburou]

Thanks guys, I've been watching craigslist but no success yet.  I have enough honey to pay for one of those brushy mountain extractors if I have to go that way.  Keeping options open. 

Any more thoughts on this?

[riverbee]

sure lee, i purchased a smaller less expensive radial extractor about 10 years ago to spin out a few boxes.....it's a 9 frame radial, and spins 3 deep frames. i just did a deep of frames this year with it.  it's italian made, and the motor is a baldor, the unit and motor is awesome.  another great thing about this is i can spin cappings out in it with the deep frame inserts, only need to purchase cappings bags (3).  works like a charm. you can buy a hand crank of this model for less, BUT if you ask me, paying the extra money for motorized is the way to go with 9 medium frames or 3 deep frames unless you like to do a lot of physical work out......   

i just looked at this, yikes!  i think i paid 650 maybe for the whole works 10 yrs ago! 
i purchased it from b and b honey farm lee, their pictures are not good or info, but if you would like, i saved all my 'manuals' and info on this extractor, and motor so can send to you if you would like....or you can also call them and talk to them, they are great on customer service/questions.

Deluxe 9 Frame Radial Motorized

9 Frame Radial Extractor- Hand Powered

Power Conversion Kit~ Baldor

good luck to you lee....extractors are getting really expensive....

[Lburou]

 

good luck to you lee....extractors are getting really expensive....

Thanks RB, they sure are expensive!  I have a good, old, Dadant four frame unit now, but don't like changing the frames in the (tangential) baskets.  The B & B web site says I'll have to change the deep frames on that one too....Do I understand it correctly?

[riverbee]

yes lee, you did.  on the motorized radial to spin only the deep frames, (3) it's best if you turn them unless you want deep frames that bulge one way.....
you don't need to turn medium frames.

i have never had a deep frame blow out in 10 yrs even when i forgot to flip, but the deep frames spin better when flipped.  it's really nothing though to stop and flip them around.  these spin out quickly with this motor. 

i couldn't believe how much these had gone up in price.  funny you started this thread.  this year, i thought  perhaps i should purchase a backup motor in case mine decided to go south while extracting a few boxes, i looked at the replacement cost now and STICKER SHOCK......

[Lburou]

Look at this extractor.  Will spin 8 deep frames.  Any thoughts? 

[riverbee]

it looks real nice lee, i like the construction of it and the stainless steel baskets.....and i like the price.
i looked them up, here is the lyson website, and look at the info on the extractors:

Lyson Beekeeping

i also found this short video:

[Perry]

Trying to figure out where the motor is located in the first link provided by Lee. Did they move it to the bottom?

[LazyBkpr]

That would have to be my guess too Perry..  Looks pretty nice for that price, but cant see the legs/basket etc to see how rugged they are.

[Lburou]

riverbee, thanks for the link....I didn't find anything more on Lyson, I will use the link & watch video. 

Perry, the power cord courses out of sight and under the tank.  Where it goes....? Guess you have to buy one to find out. 

Lazy, I agree that we need more and better pictures of the unit from the pertinent angles.  Had a question about the drain as well. The description said 24 gauge on sides and 20 on bottom I believe.

[riverbee]

your welcome lee, i too, like perry and scott, was curious about the construction, but if you go on the website and poke around and look at the different extractors it has better pictures and a better description.  i just couldn't figure out quickly which one was the extractor you are looking to purchase, the model numbers were different.  hmmm, okay maybe i will, the mister has a city meeting tonight so free time for me....