Do-it-yourself honey extractor: drawings, photos

The honey extractor was invented by the Czech F. Grushka in the middle of the 18th century. It was a completely new method of obtaining honeycomb, in which the healing nectar was completely pumped out, and the structure of the honeycomb was not destroyed. This device has fulfilled the long-held dream of all beekeepers and has firmly entered the beekeeping industry.

What is a honey extractor

A honey extractor is the most important household item for a beekeeper. If it is very primitive, then it is an empty cylindrical tank, with an internal system of rotating frames on a rigid axis. At the very beginning of its creation, it was exclusively wooden. It was made from wooden barrels or tubs, and the entire working moving mechanism was also wooden.

The device and the principle of operation

The fundamental principle of the honey extractor, created by F. Grushka, was so successful that it has not changed much since its inception. Modern devices operate on the same principles of pumping honey, but have a more advanced technological mechanism.

Description of the device on the example of a radial design.

The device is a metal tank with a curved conical bottom. Inside it, on a vertical axis, there is a metal cage. The vertical axis rests on a cross, on which a “glass” is fixed, having a steel ball at its base. The ball rests against a rod with a bore in the form of a sphere. The rod has a screw connection with a vertical axis, which is a 25 mm water pipe. In the upper part of the tank cone there is a metal tube 30 mm high. It prevents honey from flowing along the axis to the bottom of the honey extractor tank.

The steel cage of the device has the top and bottom crosspieces. The lower cross supports a thrust circle and two circles with slots (loops) for frames. The upper cross supports the stop wheel from above to fix the upper edges of the frames. The metal cage is positioned so that the lower part of the rotating frames does not touch the extracted honey.

The upper part of the steel rod rotates in a ball bearing and has a conical gear at the end. The ball bearing is mounted in the plane of the plate, which is fixed to the cross member. The crossbar has a rigid fastening on both sides of the metal tank. The movement of the honey extractor cage occurs through a vertical gear on the upper crossbar, by rotating it manually (axes with a handle) or electrically, by means of a belt or chain drive.

To exit the pumped out honey in the tank there is a special sleeve, which is located at the bottom of the structure at the very bottom. The sleeve is equipped with a secant valve and works to “open” and “close” the container with honey.

The upper part of the honey extractor tank has semicircular lids that are attached to a plate with a ball bearing. The lids are equipped with rims, they tightly and securely cover the body of the device. For greater strength, the tank lid and the body itself have peripheral ridges. To prevent semicircular covers from sliding off the tank during operation, they are attached to the gear with a special bracket.

The upper crossbar with a rotating mechanism is fixed to the tank hoop with special curved bolts. The bolts hold the outer vertical strips, which are rigidly attached to the lower tank hoop. This design firmly adheres the top and bottom edges of the tank, preventing loosening of the structure during vibration.

The tank is mounted on a crosspiece (low table). The optimum lifting height of the body is 400-500 mm. For the convenience of receiving honey, the height of the legs of the crosspiece is adjusted to the height of the container of the honey receiver (plastic or metal bucket, can, flask).

The principle of operation of the device is based on the centrifuge mechanism. The main working moment in it is the centrifugal force, which makes the viscous consistency of honey leave the honeycomb, melt and go outside.

It happens in the following way. A frame with a honeycomb is printed with a special beekeeping knife, and then installed in a cassette. Under the action of rotation, a centrifugal force appears in the frame, which pushes the honey out of the honeycombs with great pressure. Released honey under its own gravity flows down the walls of the tank to the bottom of the honey extractor and exits the sleeve into the container by gravity.

dimensions

The size and volume of the device directly depends on the number of hives on the farm and the size of the apiary itself. If we are talking about harvesting honey for our own consumption and the apiary of an amateur beekeeper is small, then a small apparatus for 4-6 frames is enough to simultaneously pump out honey. In this case, a low honey extractor with a diameter of 0,5-0,7 m with a manual or electric drive will be optimal.

For beekeepers who have this industry as a business, more powerful and larger electrical devices are needed with the simultaneous loading of up to 20 or more honeycomb frames.

What honey extractors are

Industrial apparatus differ in variety in form, type and drive. Homemade and even more. Often such honey extractors combine several types of rotor, are easily transformed, combined and work perfectly.

Honey extractors are distinguished by several features:

• according to the material of manufacture;
• by design (location of cassettes);
• by the number of frames;
• by type of drive.

Before proceeding with the creation of the design of the device, it is necessary to determine what material it is made of. This is an important point, since specific conditions are imposed on it – safety in contact with food, resistance to natural, mechanical influences, a high degree of wear in working with moving blocks (mechanisms).

It is possible to create a structure from such materials:

1. Wood. Initially, honey extractors were made from this material. For this purpose, ready-made tanks, barrels or tubs were used.
2. Stainless steel. This is the most popular material. It is practical, convenient and has a very long resource of use. That is why, to create a homemade honey extractor, they often use the body of an old activator-type washing machine.
3. Aluminium, galvanized steel. Light in weight and workmanship materials, but strong enough for the task. Large thick-walled pots, cooking pots, barrels or galvanized buckets are suitable for creating the apparatus.
4. food grade plastic. A modern, lightweight and inexpensive material that can also be used to create a honey extractor. However, to create it, you should select high-quality plastic containers for food purposes.

The design of the honey extractor has several types. It depends on the type of arrangement of cassettes in it. Devices are:

• radial;
• chordial;
• negotiable.

Amateur beekeepers use small devices with a number of frames from 3 to 6. Most often they use single-frame honey extractors (made by themselves), 2-frame stainless steel and 3-frame rotating stainless steel honey extractors. This is justified by the small apiary and the number of hives. It is not difficult to create such a design from improvised means. For example, from an old but durable wooden or plywood barrel, from a disused washing machine.

Beekeepers on a large scale, for whom the industry has become the main source of income, use honey extractors with a simultaneous loading of 20 or more frames. This case speaks of the creation of a medium or large production beekeeping farm.

Drive type. A manual honey extractor is the most common type of device, since it does not require a connection to an electrical outlet, it is easy to use and safe. In addition, it is much easier to construct a manual honey extractor using, for example, old bicycle chain sprockets.

Electric devices are driven by an electric drive with a motor and operate from a standard electrical network of 220 V. As a rule, the electric drive is installed on bulky honey extractors with a large number of honeycomb frames for pumping out 30 kg of honey. Electric devices are more convenient for large bee farms.

What is the speed in the honey extractor when pumping honey

Modern electric honey extractors can adjust the direction and speed of rotation, in addition, the electric drive provides a constant speed and has a dynamic braking function.

Honey extractors use electric drives with the following characteristics:

• impulse type;
• weight – 1,5-1,8 kg;
• voltage – from 10 to 14 V;
• speed sensor (electronic or induction);
• rotation speed – 30-150 rpm;
• rotation time – 1-10 minutes plus or minus 20%.

In large apiaries, during the honey processing season, portable batteries, small power plants, solar panels and conventional power grids are used. In small beekeeping farms, to automate the operation of the honey extractor, electric drills from a standard power outlet and mechanical drives with manual speed control are used.

Which honey extractor to choose

The main criteria for selecting a honey extractor are the consumer needs of the beekeeper or the beekeeping company. When choosing a device, consider:

• apiary dimensions;
• the number of hives;
• number of frames for pumping out;
• the number of workers for servicing the apparatus;
• availability of a suitable area with power supply;
• financial expenses.

When choosing a store honey extractor, you must definitely study the information about the manufacturer. It will not be useless to read the reviews of buyers of this equipment, you can also ask questions of interest on the beekeepers’ forums. Such curiosity will not be superfluous, but it will definitely help to avoid mistakes and unjustified expenses.

To date, the most popular manufacturer of honey extractors is Plasma LLC. This enterprise specializes in the production of devices for beekeeping, is engaged in the design, manufacture and repair of various types of devices.

Electric honey extractor

Electric devices are used when pumping honey in large quantities in the conditions of honey production on large apiary areas. The electric drive is installed on chordial and radial devices. Privately, the electric drive can also be installed on combined or reverse home-made honey extractors.

A special advantage of electric honey extractors is the saving of time and physical costs for the processing of beekeeping raw materials. The electric drive of the device makes it possible to change the direction of rotation of the drum, reduce or increase the speed of rotation and time, which is a definite plus in quality control of honey pumping.

The principle of operation of an electric honey extractor is as follows. Honeycomb frames are opened with a special knife before loading into the tank. Next, the frames are inserted into the drum cassettes strictly according to the rules – opposite each other, taking into account weight balancing. Before direct start, the rotor is scrolled manually, and then the electric drive is activated. Initially, the rotation of the drum should occur at low speeds, after which the speed is increased. The maximum rotation time of the drum with frames is 25 minutes. After this time, the rotation speed is gradually reduced, and the movement is completely stopped.

Do-it-yourself electric honey extractor

A homemade electric honey extractor can be made from simple materials at hand. For this purpose, any power tool with rotation is suitable, for example, a drill, hammer drill or grinder. As a tank, you can use a container of suitable size – a large bucket, a vat, a wooden tub, a plastic or galvanized barrel. Trellised shelves from an old refrigerator are perfect for creating cassettes. They need to be cleaned, washed, assembled into a standard cassette shape with steel wire and painted.

A hole should be made at the bottom of the tank to drain the honey. For the tank rack, a stable cross is made, which must have a rigid mount with a frame. Now that the blank of the device stands steadily “on its own feet”, they proceed to the creation of the design of the cassette holder.

In the very middle of the bottom of the tank, a thrust bearing with a bearing is fixed, which will be the basis of the rotor axis from below. The frame of the frame holders should be rectangular in shape and have a steel tube-axle in the middle. Lattice cassettes made from refrigerator shelves are fixed to the frame. A cross member with a plate and a bearing is installed on top of the tank – this is the top of the rotor axis.

Next, an electric drive is fixed to the upper cross member of the honey extractor (see diagram above). As an electric drive, you can use a household electric drill, which is rigidly fixed to the tank body on special shelves with powerful bolts (photo below).

Radial honey extractor

The radial honey extractor has a number of advantages compared to other types of honey extractors:

The main features of the radial honey extractor:

1. The time of 1 honey pumping cycle varies from 10 to 25 minutes.
2. The 48-frame apparatus can process up to 100 honeycomb frames per hour. Electrified honey extractor with speed control – 1 frames.
3. The volume of the tank for pumped out honey is 185 liters.
4. The radial apparatus can accommodate up to 50 small honeycomb frames (435×230 mm) and up to 20 large frames (435×300 mm).
5. The automatic radial honey extractor is powered by a 0,4 kW motor with a main shaft rotation speed of 1450 rpm. Operating voltage – 220 V.
6. The speed of rotation of the rotor axis of the device ranges from 86 to 270 rpm.

Convenience, efficient use and simplicity of design make the radial honey extractor the most popular device among beekeepers in Our Country and abroad.

How does a radial honey extractor work?

The operation of the radial device is based on the action of centrifugal force, which occurs under the action of the rotation of the drum from a manual or electric drive. The printed frames are placed in the cassettes of the drum, which gradually spins up and gains momentum. The centrifugal force starts to drown and push the honey out of the combs, which splashes onto the side walls of the tank and flows down to its bottom. From the tap located at the bottom of the honey extractor, the pumped out honey enters the container.

Do-it-yourself radial honey extractor: drawings, assembly

A homemade honey extractor is a tank (barrel or vat) of a traditional design with a cone-shaped bottom. A movable rotating rotor is installed inside it, which is fixed from below to the bottom of the tank, and from above to the crossbar. The rotor has a bottom and top ring with fasteners for mounting cassettes or honeycomb frames. The rotational movement of the rotor is given by a manual or electric drive, which is attached to the crossbar plate. To exit the pumped out honey at the bottom of the tank there is a sleeve with a lid.

Making a honey extractor with your own hands is not difficult if you follow the diagram above.

Disadvantages of a radial honey extractor

The disadvantages of the radial apparatus are as follows:

• heavy weight of the device, large dimensions;
• the presence of electrical wiring, dependence on the mains;
• relatively high cost.

These shortcomings of the device can be considered purely conditional, since even now there are honey extractors made of lighter materials, just as durable and inexpensive.

Wooden honey extractor

In a wooden manual honey extractor, all parts are wooden, except for those that ensure the rotation of the frames. Outwardly, this device looks like a drum – just as flat, with a low sidewall. The whole mechanism of the honey extractor with a horizontal shaft is a rotating rotor with a mount in the crossbar, a central axis and two bearings.

Such a device can be made from almost any wood, the main factor is that the tree does not need to be pitched and it must be dried. For a wooden mechanism, you can use pressed plywood, lining or solid wood, and a combination of materials also takes place.

The advantage of a wooden honey extractor is its light weight, compactness and ease of use. In addition, such a portable device is very easy to wash, if necessary, disassemble or repair. Another important advantage of a wooden honey extractor can be considered the process of pumping honey. Everything happens under the full control of the beekeeper, with acceptable speed and with great efficiency, since the frames with honeycombs rotate in a horizontal plane and are processed from both sides.

chordial honey extractor

Chordial 4-frame honey extractors with reversible stainless steel cassettes are used in small beekeeping farms with a small number of hives. The design of the apparatus involves the simultaneous pumping of honey from a small number of frames (2-4 frames). In the chordal device, the drum cassettes are located sideways to the wall of the tank body, along the chord.

Despite the fact that chordial honey extractors are actively used, this device can be considered an outdated model, since it has a number of significant technical drawbacks:

1. The chordial device during operation requires constant control of the beekeeper, therefore, an assistant is required to prepare the next batch of frames (printing).
2. The rotor rotation cycle should be started at low speed so that the honeycombs do not break. Then the frames need to be turned over, the honey is pumped out from the other side and turned over again to the initial position, to complete the process.
3. In the apparatus of the chordal type, the pressure of the centrifugal force is directed at a right angle to the surface of the honeycombs, as a result of which they are often deformed and pressed into the cassettes.
4. In the chordal device, in addition to the drum itself, levers, cassettes and a drive move, which causes these mechanisms to wear out and break.

Chordial apparatuses are reversible (with movable cassettes) and non-reversible (with fixed cassettes). Their difference lies in the fact that in a honey extractor with flip-over cassettes, honeycomb frames can simply be “turned over” and there is no need to turn them over, while with non-reversible cassettes, the frames need to be turned over and replaced on the other side.

Which honey extractor is better: radial or chordial

If we compare the radial and chordal honey extractors, we can identify a number of distinctive indicators that can indicate the advantages or disadvantages of the device. Comparative characteristics showed:

1. The radial device has twice the honey pumping capacity than the chordal model.
2. The radial honey extractor works independently during the pumping cycle, without inspection, and the beekeeper can use this time for other work. The chordial apparatus requires constant monitoring.
3. Unlike the chordial device, the radial device pumps honey out of the frames almost completely.
4. In a radial honey extractor, the frames do not break, because the main pressure during rotation is directed upwards along the surface of the honeycombs, and not at an angle, as in a chordal honey extractor.
5. Removing the empty frames from the radial extractor is much easier, as they do not stick to the drum during rotation. There is such a problem in the chordial apparatus.
6. In a large radial honey extractor, it is possible to pump out the remaining honey from the wax caps (zabrus) accumulated during the day. This cannot be done by working on a chordial apparatus with a lower loading of frames.

It should be noted that both the radial and the chord apparatus have their admirers. It is possible that this is due to a number of conditions of a particular place, apiary and the requirements of the beekeeper.

Do-it-yourself honey extractor from the washing machine

It is very easy to make a honey extractor with your own hands from an old washing machine, since the body of the device is ideal for this purpose. The advantages of such a rework are obvious – a minimum of costs, an almost finished stainless steel tank, the presence of electric drive parts.

You can make a honey extractor from a washing machine according to the type of radial or chord apparatus. It is possible to install a manual or electric drive – this is the choice of the beekeeper and his technical abilities.

The conversion of a washing machine into a honey extractor must begin with a tank. The bottom is cut out in the washing machine and another tank is inserted into the body. The bottom of the future honey extractor should be in the form of a cone, on the very top of which a bearing is fixed. The rotor can be made from metal rods that need to be welded in the form of circles with a cross and a central tube (axis) between them.

Loops are welded on the lower and upper circles for attaching the frames. If the honey extractor is planned to be of a chordal type, then cassettes are attached to the circles with an arrangement along the chord of the circle. On top of the tank, large bolts strengthen the cross member with a plate and a bearing, on which the electric drive is mounted.

Do-it-yourself honey extractor from a plastic barrel

A honey extractor from a plastic barrel is easy to make in just an hour. It can be called an improvised beekeeper’s inventory “in haste”. The advantages of such a device are obvious – the speed of assembling the structure with a minimum of time and money.

But simplicity and low cost does not detract from its working properties. In fact, this is still the same convenient, efficient and working honey extractor, but a lightweight version.

To create a device from a plastic barrel, you will need the barrel itself (food), small pieces or scraps of an aluminum profile, a mesh, a metal rod, a nozzle for receiving pumped honey and any electrical appliance with a rotation function. You can even use a cordless screwdriver for this purpose.

How to make a reverse two-cassette honey extractor with your own hands

The reverse two-cassette honey extractor has a number of advantages. Firstly, it is relatively small and is perfect for small apiaries and beginner amateur beekeepers. Secondly, all parts of this device are made of stainless steel, and this is a strong argument in favor of the device’s durability and high resistance to rust. Thirdly, the design of reversible cassettes allows you to quickly and efficiently pump out honey without turning the frames over.

In addition, the magazine-turning two-cassette mechanism is equipped with a convenient aluminum tap, a cross stand and, in the “electro” version, an electric drive for 12 V, 220 V.

The principle of operation of a reverse two-cassette honey extractor does not differ from the operation of a standard radial apparatus, but it has an essential and very useful feature. The fact is that the cassettes in this apparatus have the ability to change and fix their position inside the drum with the help of special rods. This makes it possible to pump out honey under different directions of rotation and, ultimately, to collect honey from the honeycomb more efficiently and completely.

Cassettes: buy or do it yourself

Cassettes for a honey extractor are used to hold honeycomb frames inside the drum of the apparatus. You can simply buy them at a specialized equipment store, but you can make your own. For the manufacture of honey extractors, you will need a galvanized or chrome-plated mesh, aluminum rivets and a rivet wrench.

For home-made cassettes, stainless steel, an iron rod are used, and some beekeepers use pressed plywood, wooden bars, galvanized steel, or even ordinary wire to make cassettes.

An iron rod or mesh is assembled into a standard cassette of the desired size, and then fastened with rivets, spot welding or thick wire. After that, if necessary, the finished cassette should be covered with a thin layer of paint for metal.

Do you need a stand

For ease of use, the honey extractor is placed on a special cross-stand. Professional beekeepers with large production put the honey extractor on a special stationary table.

The cross-stand should ideally have a height of 37-40 cm from the floor level. In this case, you can safely install a standard enameled bucket under it, which greatly simplifies the task of collecting pumped honey.

Rules of work

To get started, the honey extractor must be installed so that it does not sway. It is installed on a flat floor surface, and the legs of the cross are screwed with bolts or self-tapping screws. Before opening the frames, they should be kept in a warm place for several hours so that the honey softens and begins to melt. Subsequently, this action will greatly simplify the pumping out of honey in the drum of the device.

Bee frames are printed with a special knife or fork. For this purpose, use a special steam knife or slightly heat the usual one. Printing frames with honeycombs must be done very carefully, leading the knife strictly along the plane of the frame, not allowing the blade to deepen into the honeycombs. This work requires skill and continuity. If the honey extractor is small – from 2 to 4 frames, then one person will cope with the work. And if the device accommodates a larger number of honeycomb frames, then assistants will be required for such work.

After the frames are printed, they are placed in cassettes, carefully distributing the weight throughout the drum. Before starting the centrifuge, you need to check the position of the frames again – the lower bars of the honeycomb frames should move forward. With the correct arrangement of the frames, the honey extractor drum will smoothly pick up speed, and the wooden frames themselves will not break during rotation.

The rotation of the drum should begin gradually, gradually accelerating it. First, one side of the combs is freed from honey, and then the frames are turned over with the other side and pumping out from this side is performed completely. Then the frames are rotated again and complete the process. Such an action is necessary so that the pressure of centrifugal force does not squeeze the cells out of the frame, rendering them unusable.

If all the above actions are done correctly, then after a while the first honey will begin to flow from the lower sleeve of the honey extractor tank.

How to put frames in the honey extractor

Before installing the frames in the drum, the honeycombs must first be printed. Then the frame is installed so that the lower beam of the frame goes towards the rotation of the drum. This is important, since the edges of the cell are always raised up and skew can occur.

When installing the frames, you need to monitor the correct distribution of weight in the drum. Honeycomb frames have different weights, so frames of approximately the same size and weight should be placed in opposite sections. Otherwise, the drum will begin to sway and will not be able to gain the desired speed of rotation.

How can you wash a honey extractor

Over time, the honey extractor needs a general cleaning. Even stainless steel devices begin to rust at the seams, at the junctions of parts and oxidize. This not only spoils the appearance of the device. Old drops of honey oxidize on the wire cassettes and the walls of the container and turn into black poisonous slime.

To prevent this from happening, every time after the operation of the device it must be washed and cleaned. This can be done like this:

1. If possible, remove the drive elements, covers and crossbar from the honey extractor. Remove the cassettes and the shaft from the machine and place the tank sideways on the heating plate. This can be done in the summer kitchen. In this case, care must be taken not to burn the rubber gaskets.
2. Pour a little crushed wax into the honey extractor container. As soon as the wax begins to melt from heating, the tank must be carefully turned over so that the entire inner side surface of the honey extractor is covered with a thin layer of wax.
3. After the walls of the tank are covered with wax, the apparatus must be placed in an upright position so that the wax covers the bottom.
4. Then, with a large swab of rags wound on a stick, you need to rub the side surfaces and the bottom so that, together with the wax, remove the remnants of honey, bee glue (propolis), rust and small debris.
5. All small removable parts can also be washed and rubbed with hot wax.

Wax perfectly cleans the honey extractor from honey processing products, and this helps to keep the device in excellent working condition for many years.

What and how to lubricate the honey extractor

After the active season of collecting and pumping out honey, the question arises of storing the honey extractor until next year. Before you put it in for the winter, you need to thoroughly rinse, dry and lubricate.

All surfaces, mechanisms, removable and static parts should be lubricated with an anti-corrosion mixture and machine oil. Then pack the honey extractor under a special canvas cover to avoid debris, cobwebs, dust or small insects from getting inside.

Keep the honey extractor in a dry, ventilated room with a constant temperature. With the right mode and careful care, the device will last more than one season without repair and expensive maintenance.

Conclusion

A honey extractor is a necessary and very useful tool for a beekeeper. With its help, beekeepers can easily process all seasonal honey. With a little ingenuity, this device can be made on your own. This will not require great engineering skills, but just improvised means, a set of the simplest tools and a desire to put your hands on it.