ArmucheeBee
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Location: Rome, Georgia
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« on: July 20, 2012, 09:59:05 PM » |
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Getting ready to buy a larger extractor (18 to 20 medium frame) for next year's harvest. Does anyone have any comments comparing Mann Lake to Brushy Mtn. to Maxant in this size category?  I plan on getting motorized. Has anyone bought a non-motorized unit and motorized it? Currently using an 8-frame built by John Bixler, works great but my volume is way up and I need to expand. |
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Stephen Stewart
2nd Grade Teacher
"You don't need a license to drive a sandwich." SpongeBob Squarepants
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AllenF
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« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2012, 10:23:44 PM » |
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To me, the next one I get (if I ever get another) will be electric. You are doing good with that. Check the prices. Remember shipping. Mann lake is way far. Brushy is closer. I would choose on price.
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AllenF
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« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2012, 10:27:21 PM » |
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And have you priced out extractors from Rossman's.?
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David McLeod
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« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2012, 08:55:35 AM » |
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Allen, I was thinking the same thing. With shipping costs I would check to see if I could pick up at Rossman.
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ArmucheeBee
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« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2012, 10:58:36 AM » |
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Rossman is $400 more than Brushy for a 21 frame electric. Dadant is even higher. Mann lake has free shipping and only $100 more than Brushy.
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Stephen Stewart
2nd Grade Teacher
"You don't need a license to drive a sandwich." SpongeBob Squarepants
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AllenF
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« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2012, 11:13:48 AM » |
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Call and make sure Mann will free ship on an extractor (may truck ship also) and call for a shipping quote from Brushy. But you have done your homework so far. Let us now which you go with. And post pics of it in use.  |
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Intheswamp
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« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2012, 12:59:02 PM » |
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I've no experience buying from Mann Lake, though I have heard good things about them. BUT...they are the only company that I have heard people say to not buy an extractor from or to state they regret buying one from. Having said that, you have Rossman across the state from you and Kelleys up north in Kentucky. They pretty well bring orders to most large meetings in the area. If you have a large regional beekeepers meeting in your area you could get them to deliver your order to the meeting (no shipping expenses)....you might check with them and see if they go to these meetings. Brushy Mountain and Dadant are normally at the meetings but I'm not sure they bring orders with them...I've wanted to order some things before for meeting deliveries but they don't get the word out in time so I order from Kelleys and Rossman... McDonough, GA - Georgia Beekeepers Association Fall Meeting Sept 8-9 (I saw this one on Kelleys calendar)(GBA also has a spring meeting in February...this year it was in Newnan, GA.) Cookeville, TN - Tennessee State Beekeepers Fall Meeting Sept 28-29 (I saw this one on Kelleys calendar) Cullman, AL - Alabama Beekeepers Association Picnic in May (I know these 2 vendors go to this one) Montgomery, AL - ABA annual meeting the first of October (I know these 2 vendors go to this one) Auburn, AL - Honey Bee Symposium in February (I know these 2 vendors go to this one) Is the $400 difference an apple to apple comparison or is it apples to oranges? You might want to pick up the phone and call Rossman's about the pricing...worse thing they can say is "no". Also, Rossman carries the "Italian" extractors. I believe these are the "SAF"(?) brand. My mentor has a 9-frame SAF and it is a fine extractor...looking at the website they are more expensive than the Maxants and Dadants. Maxants are built in the USA...I don't know about the others and uses premium grade stainless with high quality welding (no caulking, from what I understand). With the size investment that you're about to make I would definitely research the quality of the equipment *and* the quality of the after-sale support. Best wishes on your search, Ed |
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Jim 134
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« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2012, 01:40:56 PM » |
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Rossman's sell Maxant, I would buy a Maxant just about 35 mi. east of me and made in the USA. http://www.maxantindustries.com/index.html BEE HAPPY Jim 134  |
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"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may remember,involve me and I'll understand" Chinese Proverb "The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways." John F. Kennedy Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/ |
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ArmucheeBee
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« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2012, 02:14:19 PM » |
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The Rossman 21-frame is Italian.
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Stephen Stewart
2nd Grade Teacher
"You don't need a license to drive a sandwich." SpongeBob Squarepants
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Jim 134
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« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2012, 03:10:36 PM » |
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Rossman's sell 4 brand of honey harvesting equipment but I know if I NEED PARTS where to go if at is a Maxant.  But may bee I would like go to Itay but the air fair would KILL the budget  http://www.gabees.com/store/index.php?cPath=37_68 BEE HAPPY Jim 134 |
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"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may remember,involve me and I'll understand" Chinese Proverb "The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways." John F. Kennedy Franklin County Beekeepers Association MA. http://www.franklinmabeekeepers.org/ |
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David McLeod
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« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2012, 03:19:13 PM » |
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I know price is important as is quality but for me I like to give the first chance to my local vendor. The more I can support local the better my options for getting what I need without having to resort to online and shipping fees. At least give Fred a call and see if you can haggle. Fred always at least heard me out and I'm old enough to to not take no personally. You also have pigeon mountain close to you but I know nothing of them other than they mispell their last name.
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David McLeod
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« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2012, 03:22:09 PM » |
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I've seen the Italian extractors advertised long enough and in enough places that I would assume that parts are available as well.
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ArmucheeBee
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« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2012, 10:14:13 PM » |
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Pigeon Mtn price on a 20 frame extractor is a leisurely $2900!!!! Are you kidding me? The basket in it looks like one of the china extractors I saw on a website for imported goods at cheap prices. My concern is not price but quality, but almost $1000 more than your competitors is a little much.
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Stephen Stewart
2nd Grade Teacher
"You don't need a license to drive a sandwich." SpongeBob Squarepants
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AllenF
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« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2012, 08:20:20 PM » |
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Pigeon Mountain is a reseller from other supply houses.
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David McLeod
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« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2012, 09:44:41 PM » |
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Hmmm, I get the impression that I'm not the only one who felt...........
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ArmucheeBee
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« Reply #15 on: July 22, 2012, 10:25:32 PM » |
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As I live ony 40 min. south of pigeon mtn, i know them all to well.
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Stephen Stewart
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VolunteerK9
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« Reply #16 on: July 23, 2012, 08:06:40 AM » |
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Ive got a Kelleys 20 frame and havent had any problems with it. Im pretty sure JP has a Maxant if you want to quiz him about his.
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David McLeod
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« Reply #17 on: July 23, 2012, 01:50:26 PM » |
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Let us know what you decide. I'll be on the market for one myself shortly.
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ArmucheeBee
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« Reply #18 on: July 23, 2012, 08:21:35 PM » |
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Mann Lake and Brushy definitly have the best prices. They both sell quality products. Brushy has a Baldor 110 volt motor and ML a 90 volt (nameless motor). Can anyone tell me if that is a big difference? I will check on the seam of the barrel.
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Stephen Stewart
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sawdstmakr
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« Reply #19 on: July 23, 2012, 09:24:11 PM » |
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I have a 9/18 frame Mann Lake motorized extractor. It is all stainless steal, is easy to clean, and is easy to disassemble and put back together if needed.
I did make one modification. The top tends to close on its own. I super glued a super strong flat magnet, that I removed from a hard disc drive, in a spot where metal holds it up.
If you are already upgrading from a 9 frame extractor, you may want to look at a larger unit. I would definitely order a motorized unit.
Jim
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