Chuffed to bits that my proposals for new equipment for our Association, was signed off last night by the Committee.
Spent a lot of time on it, reviewing existing equipment (not fit for purpose) and talking to experts outside our Association about pros and cons of different extractors, in particular. Our Association is in a heather area but some years the summer crop can be more heavily weighted to balsam. Spring with all the wooded valleys around, can be a good crop too, but about half the size of summer. Most members are hobbyists and have around 4 hives but there are a few that are keener with around 10-12 hives.
I've ordered 2 x new Abelo radial 20 frame extractors (one for each ends of our long district); 1 x Abelo swing cage tangential extractor; 1 x manual heather loosener and 1 x super warmer trolley (thanks @Erichalfbee). The latter equipment for heather extraction to sit alongside a simple press we own. Abelo were super helpful and efficient.
I'm now on a roll and it's led me to wondering what other equipment I could recommend, that would benefit Members of our Association? In addition to the radial & swing cage extractors, we have a small 4 frame electric extractor for beginners, a small wax capping steamer and a steamer for a brood box wax recycling.
What other equipment would you recommend for a medium sized association (around 130 members)? We don't have a teaching apiary & unlikely to start one, as our mentoring scheme works well, so any equipment would be for hobbyists and needs to be transportable by car and through the kitchen door.
We have some surplus cash but we're from Yorkshire, so a clearly thought through Business case and good value for money is important!
Appreciate your thoughts and ideas please
Spent a lot of time on it, reviewing existing equipment (not fit for purpose) and talking to experts outside our Association about pros and cons of different extractors, in particular. Our Association is in a heather area but some years the summer crop can be more heavily weighted to balsam. Spring with all the wooded valleys around, can be a good crop too, but about half the size of summer. Most members are hobbyists and have around 4 hives but there are a few that are keener with around 10-12 hives.
I've ordered 2 x new Abelo radial 20 frame extractors (one for each ends of our long district); 1 x Abelo swing cage tangential extractor; 1 x manual heather loosener and 1 x super warmer trolley (thanks @Erichalfbee). The latter equipment for heather extraction to sit alongside a simple press we own. Abelo were super helpful and efficient.
I'm now on a roll and it's led me to wondering what other equipment I could recommend, that would benefit Members of our Association? In addition to the radial & swing cage extractors, we have a small 4 frame electric extractor for beginners, a small wax capping steamer and a steamer for a brood box wax recycling.
What other equipment would you recommend for a medium sized association (around 130 members)? We don't have a teaching apiary & unlikely to start one, as our mentoring scheme works well, so any equipment would be for hobbyists and needs to be transportable by car and through the kitchen door.
We have some surplus cash but we're from Yorkshire, so a clearly thought through Business case and good value for money is important!
Appreciate your thoughts and ideas please
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