park nine-frame radial

[mark s]

Hi all
Going to use my nine-frame park very shortly,and was wondering if there is a certain way of taking apart for cleaning, I hate to lose summit important !!!!.
Any tips gratefully received.
Thanks

 

[itma]

The central shaft rests on a big ball bearing. Any lubrication must be 'food safe'.
The ball is the bit that people lose!

Undo the top cross bar from the 'drum' and lift the whole lot out together.



Replacement/different stainless steel nuts and bolts can be obtained easily at Toolstation (either internet&post or in-store at Wickes).

The position of the cage on the shaft matters. Too high and frame lugs won't fit under the lid, too low and the lower lug drags in the extracted honey too soon.
National and Langstroth having different length topbars, different cage positions may be optimal.

Since you have 14x12 National, do get the optional tangential screens which allow the thing to take the big frames. I've just got the cheap (chromed) ones. Stored carefully, they are fine. I'm now wondering about getting cappings bags ...

 

[mark s]

Thanks for that itma just what I wanted to know