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Author Topic: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking  (Read 6166 times)

Offline riskybizz

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Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« on: August 20, 2012, 04:59:02 pm »
Yesterday I set up my new Dadant 20 frame extractor and loaded it up 20 medium frames of honey to extract.  I placed the extractor on the stand that I purchased with it.  I bolted the feet of the stand to a pallet and began to extract.  I was only able to get the speed control to 30-40% max. before it wobbled like crazy.  Perhaps it needs to be on a sturdier base?  I  did notice when I set the extractor up that the inside reel is not as as circular as the tank.  In other words its slightly out of round.  Is this typical of extractors like this?  There is a spot on the reel where its probably 3/4" out of round.  I'm not sure what the tolerances are for machines like this.  Maybe if I bolted the feet to 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood and placed the plywood flat on the floor it would solve the wobble.  Anyone have this issue with the Dadant 20?

Offline AllenF

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2012, 08:27:02 pm »
Frames must be balanced in any extractor.   Just like  clothes in the dryer.   If some of the frames are light, they must be opposite from each other.   You can bolt to the floor also, but balancing it is a must.   In any extractor.  And start spinning slow, then when most of the honey is spun out, increase speed.   

Offline VolunteerK9

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2012, 10:54:05 am »
I havent tried it yet, but plan to next year. Read this post starting with Post # 10. (Posts made by 'Fuzzy')

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?244569-Preventing-an-extractor-from-walking

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2012, 11:23:28 am »
<snip>  There is a spot on the reel where its probably 3/4" out of round.  I'm not sure what the tolerances are for machines like this.  

Is the "out of round" spot only on one side of the basket...sort of a circle with a bulge in one spot?  Or, does the basket have a very slight oval shape to it?  If oval then the "high sides" should balance each other and the "low sides" should, also...thus no "out of balance" issues.  If there is a bulge in one spot around the perimeter of the basket then you have somewhat of a problem.   

Seems on an extractor of that size/$$$ that the tolerance should be a bit closer...but I'm new to extractors and it maybe be a common malady.  The basket on my mentor's 9-frame SAF spins true and balances with little thought put into it.  From your statement it sounds like you have a single spot that is bulging...I would call Dadant and see what they say.

Best wishes,
Ed
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Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2012, 11:28:48 am »
...and if all else fails you can try balancing it.  Some stainless steel attached in the right place (or other inert weight) could smooth it out for you.  It would take a little trial an error but you could probably get it to smooth out very nicely.  Naturally, getting the basket to be more uniformly round would help.

Did you try spinning it up without honey in it?

Ed
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American blood spilled to protect the freedom and peace of people all over the world.  320,000 USA casualties in WWI, 1,076,000 USA casualties in WWII, 128,000 USA casualties in the Korean War, 211,000 casualties in the Vietnam "conflict", 57,000 USA casualties in "War on Terror".  Benghazi, Libya, 13 USA casualties. These figures don't include 70,000 MIA.  But, the leaders of one political party of the United States of America continue to make the statement..."What difference does it make?".

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."..."The press is our chief ideological weapon." - Nikita Khrushchev

"Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they wont come to yours." - Yogi Berra

Offline bayouboy

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2012, 12:34:16 pm »
Riskybiz, it seems to me  than a brand new extractor from the factory, should be balanced and spin true every time, while empty ,right now.I would expect nothing less.That is an expensive and should be quality piece of equipment.I would definitely contact Dadant about it.And see what they say.
Good luck
Mike
Mike

Offline riskybizz

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2012, 02:47:05 pm »
Thanx for your comments i'll give them a call and see what they say. 

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #7 on: August 22, 2012, 11:35:41 pm »
Did you get a chance to call them yet?

Ed
www.beeweather.com 
American blood spilled to protect the freedom and peace of people all over the world.  320,000 USA casualties in WWI, 1,076,000 USA casualties in WWII, 128,000 USA casualties in the Korean War, 211,000 casualties in the Vietnam "conflict", 57,000 USA casualties in "War on Terror".  Benghazi, Libya, 13 USA casualties. These figures don't include 70,000 MIA.  But, the leaders of one political party of the United States of America continue to make the statement..."What difference does it make?".

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."..."The press is our chief ideological weapon." - Nikita Khrushchev

"Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they wont come to yours." - Yogi Berra

Offline Joe D

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Re: Dadant 20 Frame Extractor Walking
« Reply #8 on: August 22, 2012, 11:51:32 pm »
I have been using a 12 frame Dadant, it works fine.  With yours being brand new it should be under warranty, give em a call.  Good luck




Joe