Shown is repairs on our Cowen honey extraction line including the extractor, Cowen uncapper, cappings auger, frame conveyor, and more. Also discussed are repairs made on our honey bottling tanks.
Dad was an industrial arts teacher. He would say, if you’re going to do a job, do it right and get everything done that needs it. Looks like you did everything you needed to get done. It’s nice to see your workers with the skills to do the work
Mr. Binnie, really enjoyed the video. I used to use vegetable oil to lube my sausage grinder bearings and the single bearing in my 3 frame extractor. After sitting up for a year the grinder bearings got "gunked up" by the vegetable oil. I switched to mineral oil and haven't had any problems.
Hot water is way safer and easier than steam. The hot water would be my choice as well. When I was a manager type I would have my guys replace plastic bushings after so many hours of running. Less surprise maintenance that way but a critical part is if you replace one end you need to replace both ends to help keep the alignment true. Chains and gears are much happier.
The phenomenon you brought up about the honey mixing itself happens the same way that lakes and ponds will do in the winter and summer in the cold climates. Bodies of water will "turn over" or "flip" as the water Temps change. Learned that back when I worked for a small town water and waste water facility.
Trick I use on oil lite bushings is fill the new bushing with the desired oil , in my case sae 30 then compress the oil thru the bushing. Been dong this for years on outdoor power equipment. Extends the life of the bushing considerably.
As an old industrial maintenance guy I really enjoyed this video. I am curious why you went from electric heaters to the much more complicated hot water system on your tanks? I'm sure there was a good reason or you wouldn't have gone to the expense. Thanks for all you do for our "addiction" and see you soon at Hive Life!!
Stainless steel undergoes a phenomenon called "stainless steel crevice corrosion" where a pit can harbor the goods to cause a deeply penetrating crevice to cut through the material. Can't really see it, but it is there, buried underneath.
I hope I get to the point where I need a good extracting line like that. I did future proof a bit by getting a 30 frame extractor (used to have a 2 framer). One day I'll get there.
Expensive unit definitely worth the rebuild... friend of mine his decapper uses chains .. really beats up the comb . Looks like it cost you some wax way it just lays over.. wax is worth more than the honey by weight so I like to save much as possible I'm still using hot knife I'm pretty good with it.. bigger extractor what I need and honey house.. extracted honey for 3 weeks in my kitchen made for mess . Had open air hive going in the dinning room.. took less time to sell it
Hot knives can be just as quick as a commercial uncapper in the hands of a skilled operator that has the physical stamina to keep up. That person wouldn't be me.
Your observation on how the warm honey below mixes with cooler honey above is also seen naturally in lakes & oceans. Ocean Convection Convection drives the Gulf Stream and other currents that turn over and mix up the waters in the world's oceans. Cold polar water is drawn down from higher latitudes and sinks to the ocean bottom, pulled down toward the equator as lighter, warmer water rises to the ocean's surface.
Can you please explain how to keep your stainless so clean? I purchased an old cowen with a 60 frame table, tearing it down to clean and rebuild. Any tips? Thanks!
Bob Binnie- I know you are doing “double screened boards for HiveLife- are you bring 8- frame sized? Or only 10’s!😊😊 thank you.. excited to see you at HiveLife-coming from San Francisco 🎉
I can never get the clutch to grip properly so I tightened it and the belt slip does our slow start acceleration… don’t tell anyone LOL. Go through one belt every season
I would pull the clutch out and add a sprocket and chain drive. Now you can buy a programmable VFD drive for the motor and ramp up that startup perfectly. Curious if Cowen is using VFD's today in applications where a slow start is needed. Dick Brickner
