Extractor

[manek]

How efficiently does it extract brood frames, mbc?

I have one of these. The swing cage takes half the number of brood frames.

 

[ericbeaumont]

I have one of these. The swing cage takes half the number of brood frames.

Yes, but what % of honey does it extract? Machines vary and as the bigger drums spin slower, efficiency of extraction declines or the spin takes longer.

 

[manek]

I've not found this an issue: the honey all comes out.

The swing cage take eight super frames max, so it's not that big but even so I've never found the need to spin it at max revolutions. I got it up to about 2/3 speed once, it was the first time I used it. Being tangential, I blew out the comb. So I've never used it at full speed.

Incidentally, you can get a radial cage for it, something I'm seriously considering.

 

[mbc]

How efficiently does it extract brood frames, mbc?

About as good as you can get with the tangential swing cages.
It gets a good amount of partially granulated honey out too.
I originally bought it for spinning out agitated frames of heather honey but have ended up using it for everything its so good.

 

[Erichalfbee]

have ended up using it for everything its so good.

I don’t suppose you’d explain how they work?

 

[manek]

I don’t suppose you’d explain how they work?

There's an arm attached to the circular main frame. To the arm is attached a wire cage within which the frames are enclosed, and which can be rotated through 180 degrees. This means you can rotate the frames without having to remove them each time. Saves time and much stickiness...

 

[Erichalfbee]

There's an arm attached to the circular main frame. To the arm is attached a wire cage within which the frames are enclosed, and which can be rotated through 180 degrees. This means you can rotate the frames without having to remove them each time. Saves time and much stickiness...

Thanks.

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

I have a lyson 20 frame, nothing wrong with it but its not been used for several seasons now, its just kept as back up. It was superceded by a konigin 8 frame swing cage extractor, which takes 16 super frames, and is a brilliant bit of kit in my opinion, it spins out over a thousand supers a season for me.

I can also testify to the Swing cage type being a brilliant piece of kit, although ours is a Lyson 24 frame.
A six minute cycle leaves the frames bone dry and I reckon we have gained a 4% increase of yield just by upgrading the spinner.
All frame types are accommodated with zero issues.

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

I've not found this an issue: the honey all comes out.

The swing cage take eight super frames max, so it's not that big but even so I've never found the need to spin it at max revolutions. I got it up to about 2/3 speed once, it was the first time I used it. Being tangential, I blew out the comb. So I've never used it at full speed.

Incidentally, you can get a radial cage for it, something I'm seriously considering.

A swing cage should never blow frames as the whole idea is that the frame is supported by the cage.

 

[thorn]

Unless you have a dedicated honey room in which it can be left in situ throughout the year, when buying an extractor don't buy one that's too big to store and manhandle.
I speak from experience. My bee buddy and I agreed to get an 8-frame Kosygin. He was to order it. On looking at the website he found the 12-frame didn't cost much more and ordered that instead, a decision that's caused a great deal of inconvenience. Apart from anything else the motor has to come off for storage. Still, at least it's his garage that had to be totally reorganised, and he has a double door from the garden into into his kitchen for us to manhandle it through.

 

[pargyle]

I bought a second hand Lega 15 frame .. beautiful bit of kit - not a thing that I woiuld change . It was a bargain . Sadly, I have to take the legs off to get it trhough the kitchen door ! Hardly convenient but a honey room would help .

 

[manek]

A swing cage should never blow frames as the whole idea is that the frame is supported by the cage.

I thought that too. In practice, it ain't necessarily so...

 

[Ely]

Hi. On the topic of extractors. How you fellow beekeepers store yours? I recently upgraded to a large 20 frame Lyson. It is currently indoors because I am worried about it getting rusty in places if it is stored in a garage/shed. A certain family member is starting to get a bit annoyed with it being in the way. That brings me to my 2nd point. Can wives be safely stored in a garage/shed as an alternative?
Thanks

 

[North End Bees]

I've stored mine in the bee shed for quite a few years with no problems. Made a large cardboard box which sits over it to keep it clean.

(I am the wife so don't have that honey/wax paraphernalia problem!)

 

[Erichalfbee]

I've stored mine in the bee shed for quite a few years with no problems. Made a large cardboard box which sits over it to keep it clean.

(I am the wife so don't have that honey/wax paraphernalia problem!)

Exactly this
On both counts

 

[Ely]

That is good to know. Thank you!

 

[Gingerbread]

I use and old duvet cover over mine to protect it.

 

[Murox]

Mine gets put back into its box and is stored in my garage which is attached to the house.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Hi. On the topic of extractors. How you fellow beekeepers store yours? I recently upgraded to a large 20 frame Lyson. It is currently indoors because I am worried about it getting rusty in places if it is stored in a garage/shed. A certain family member is starting to get a bit annoyed with it being in the way. That brings me to my 2nd point. Can wives be safely stored in a garage/shed as an alternative?
Thanks

It's a trivial job to swap out all mild steel nuts & bolts with stainless. Any "wetside" components can also be swapped to ensure no unprotected surfaces are exposed to corrosion motors and speed controllers covered with moisture proof covers. My unit lives in the workshop when not in use.
Speaking of workshop, after keeping my eyes open for years I have finally found a Harrison 11" gap bed lathe that has been stored in a shed for years at an affordable price and the seller will deliver. It is the same model I was taught on in secondary school so I know how to drive it and apart from needing the electrics and motor fixing it seems a great refurbish project for winter. My wife says I can take a chair out to the shed to sit and enjoy looking at it as it's cheaper than buying a painting or statue to sit and admire.

 

[pargyle]

Pallet Wrap for storing things is your best friend. My lega has a stainless drum with the motor mounted on top - after cleaning and drying it off I just wrap the top with a few layers of pallet wrap and it lives in the garage until it's needed the following year. Keeps any insects and dust out of the drum as well. Pallet wrap is cheap as chips on Amazon. Useful for all sorts of things as well ...