Maxant 3100P Honey Extractor.....My First Impression

[@timrauscher3965]

I have seen a few different reviews on the Maxant extractor, and it appears to be a more excellent choice over the vevor that I purchased. It's always good to see another review. Also, beware of the 5 gallon buckets at lows. The bottoms are thin, then the buckets I got from Amazon (9 mils thick). The Lows buckets can be subject to splitting and cracking.

[@montiraruba2831]

The switch box is clipped unto an L-bracket. Remove the switch box and bend the L-bracket a little outward so that placing the switch box unto it will be easier.

[@BugFarmerBees]

How do you like this Maxant now that you have had it for a while? I am about to purchase an extractor and this is my top choice so far.

[@noahriding5780]

So... if you are doing a load of honey processing with these... like a really big load that takes more than one day how do you keep it clean while still in the same run (multi-day run)? Thanks.

[@JCsBees]

Not sure in that case but I would think as long as your in a dust/bug free environment you could probably just cover the extractor with plastic for added insurance. I always do my harvesting within a day or two.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Excellent review and video. I got the 9 frame motorized radial from Brushy Mt last year. I love it. 9 frames equally spaced. It was around $1000 if I remember right. I think it has all stainless and a nice honey gate. I have a posted video using it.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

I am glad you showed this . I purchased one about a month ago but have not opened it yet. It looks great . The only thing I see is if you bolt it down you can not tilt it ???. Thanks

[@JCsBees]

I bolt it down until I am done extracting then remove the rear floor bolt and loosen the 2 side bolts so it will tilt. You could also mount it to a skid then when needed just tilt the skid. Best of luck!

[@mudsongs]

I'd be more interested in your actual experience with the extractor. Have you done a video for that yet?

[@JCsBees]

Yes and no. I made a video years ago reviewing the extractor but never uploaded it. It's a decent machine but some frames still need flipped around to fully extract.

[@Tonnsfabrication]

Use a magnet on the motor housing to hold your allen wrench. Also the way the honey gate's nut inside the extractor needs clearance from the bottom, it creates a pool of honey that you can't get out without tilting it big time and even then you can't get it all without rubber spatulas. To clean stuff well, get you some Star San cleaner for all your extracting equipment, it's awesome stuff for food prep items. To all the guys who let the bees have at the capping tubs and extractors for clean up, be sure and sanitize with Star San because the bees shit all over everything when they fight for honey. And last thing, TSC has food grade buckets.

[@JCsBees]

Great information my friend, thanks for sharing.

[@billnowlin9148]

The cross bar over the top appears to be painted steel. If it is, get a small magnet to hold your allen wrench. $900.00 is a lot of honey! Consider mounting it on casters. They will adsorb the wobble and keep it from self destructing. It works for us.

[@JCsBees]

Great tip on the magnet! Yes $900 can bee a lot of honey but it's not just honey sales that paid for it. I started selling nucs this year and sold enough in one day to buy this extractor. It's being diverse with your bees that pays, don't only sell honey, sell pollen, sell comb honey, sell queens or nucs, do bee removals, pollination services, etc.. Also don't sell honey cheap, it's your gold, raw honey can pay well in the right environment. I may experiment without mounting to see how much wobble it has but I will consider casters, thanks.

[@tomortale2333]

FINALLY/THANK U...U SHOWED THE PRICES OF THE VARIOUS UNITS..THESE OTHER BEE GUYS TAKE THE EXTRACTOR OUTTA THE BOX...AN YAK FOREVER AN NO PRICE [COST] IS EVER MENTIONED!! THAN U FOR COMMON SENSE/WHICH OTHERS ARE LACKING.

[@liamaiden2313]

Hi, I don’t have the extractor but I have the exact same interlocking mat that you put it on!!! Some guy came round and sold me 100 of them for 50p each. Can’t wait to put an extractor on them.

[@bigbuddha9197]

I started watching you, the Dirt Rooster and Mr. Ed last year. Love your videos. I got my first three hives this spring. Two nucs from Mississippi and later I got a local nuc. Just a hobby beekeeper, but I love it. My local nuc is already produced 16 medium frames of honey. Go girls!

[@JCsBees]

I appreciate you being a fan, you guys are what keep me going. Glad to hear your bees are rockin' their hives. It's exciting when you get to bottle your first honey harvest, messy but exciting.

[@wadebarnes6720]

How did it work out and was it worth your money

[@JCsBees]

It's works but not like it should. When you have all 6 spots full they don't extract fully unless you switch the frames around. Besides that it's a great extractor.

[@citrumpet1]

Nice review. I can see the benefit of bolting it to the floor but it makes tipping and cleaning more difficult.... Is it worth to do? I just spin mine slowly at first until the weight differential evens out.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks! If you have very many frames to extract it can be nice bolted to the floor but yes when I am done I have to unbolt to tilt. I use a ratchet and socket so it only takes seconds. I have seen people bolt them to skids though and that seems to work well, they just elevated one side of skid when they were done.

[@whittmead7871]

Thought your review was the best I have seen for this product ! Good job.

[@tonyhash1174]

Yep. Maxant dropped the ball on the screws. For $800 there should definitely be stainless steel fasteners on the whole unit.

[@JCsBees]

I think they kinda dropped the ball on the whole unit. Not all of the radial frames extract fully, the top edge of the unit was razor sharp where someone never rounded the edge, then the cheap fasteners. It really opened my eyes to what Maxants really about...$$$ and not quality.

[@josephrawls]

Great job. One thing that this unit does have that some extractors don't is a ball bearing at the bottom of the shift. If you happen to take it apart to clean make sure you don't lose it.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks, I've made a note about the bearing. Thanks for watching!

[@mikeries8549]

I love my twenty frame Lyson. It's a machine anyone would be proud to own. It's portable. Runs on a 12 volt battery if you want it to. Part of what influenced my decision on the lyson is the honey gate. Lyson extractors have a stainless steel flange. You can hook it to wax separators and have a pump system like commercial. Plastic honey gate on a thousand dollar extractor? Uhhh. That's where I drew the line.

[@jembo1959]

Well done great video I am just about to convert my 3 frame hand spun honey extractor to a motor propelled one, and love the close up on the motor spec thanks very much from a bee keeper in Ireland.

[@JCsBees]

The motor will make a huge difference. Good luck!

[@ColesFarmNC]

Hey, great video! We got one a few years ago. Odd question, any idea what size wing nut it takes for the honey gate? We managed to lose ours sometimes during the last season.

[@LOOPPEY]

Looks like a good machine but the manufacture should have gave you all stainless hardware. Cant wait to hear what you think after you use it.

[@JCsBees]

Couldn't agree more. Thanks for watching!

[@joemartin4821]

I appreciate the detail of your review, thanks Jason

[@JCsBees]

My pleasure!

[@OkieRob]

Jason, The bolt on the bottom is stainless on mine. It is actually the machined cup for the ball bearing to sit in that the basket rides on. If you lose the bearing, it is a 1/2" solid stainless ball bearing. The full speed is a lot faster than the full on the controller.

[@JCsBees]

Ah, I see they went cheap on mine! lol You make it sound like I will not find a replacement in stainless steel at a hardware store though, I wonder if I will have to order it from Maxant. I have not tried full speed just yet bit will be soon. Thanks for sharing the info..

[@OkieRob]

Actually i ordered some replacement ball bearings from amazon. The whole cup is machined and the threads are part of it, that is probably special for Maxant. The whole cup is probably about a 1 1/2" tall and sets on a rubber gasket inside. The threads just stick through the bottom for the nut and square piece to hold it . Maybe the nut is carbon, I don't remember. There isn't a good hardware store within 50 miles of me, so running to town isn't an option.You can order the lovejoy rubber insert from other places also. Maxant wants to sell the whole cupling together. You'll probably never need it.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks for the breakdown, much appreciated.

[@terribethreed8464]

It was a good video & product review. Product reviews are supposed to be honest, no holds bared reviews. If something's not up to par & you feel it needs to be changed say it & tell them what you think.

[@jerrymerrick8608]

Think it was a a fair assessment of the product. I'd be asking the same questions. Stainless, doesn't rust. It's the way to go. Look forward to your updates. Thanks

[@grigoriydyachuk9709]

I lake your motor do you now were I can buy motor for 6 frames radials honey extractor

[@paulfisher3466]

Great job of explaining things to new beekeepers. I myself am an experienced "beek" with over 20 years (and stings) experience. I really do love your videos (and I am still learning some new things from you), thanks and keep up the great work ! A good beekeeper is ALWAYS learning new things/ways.

[@JCsBees]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoy them.

[@JohnSmith-gm3qm]

How many hives do you have?

[@JCsBees]

It varies throughout the year but I usually have at least 30 going sometime more.

[@velbertw]

just ordered me a 4 frame hand crank. Great video thank you

[@suzylarry1]

nice commentary , I understood everything you said and point out.

[@HMaktoum]

Hi I realy like the motor and worm gear. It reduces the noise and more stability, I don't agree with mounting it on the floor some times you need to tilte it to max. draining

[@JCsBees]

I understand why you do not like it mounted, it makes sense. Maybe I should use some kind of a wood anchor with a wing nut, then all I need to do is remove the wing nuts to maximize draining. I am not sure how you do it but I only tilt mine when I am done.

[@asambrown]

I too would change out all non-stainless steel parts with stainless steel parts here in Texas they Health department is real picky about such things.

[@JCsBees]

When you buy something from Maxant you would think it would already have all stainless. I was not too impressed with the cheap hardware. You would also think they would know food standards and follow them.

[@beemanrunning977]

Great videos Jason! I have a 3100P with legs mounted to a piece of plywood with casters on it so it can dance around a bit if unbalanced. The casters are also mounted far enough back from the edge of the plywood base so the whole thing can be tilted and held in a slanted position so the extractor can be thoroughly drained.

[@JCsBees]

Great idea, I may have to do the same thing. Thanks for sharing!

[@bobnjackson]

Use a fridg magnet to hold your allen wrench to the unit

[@Digger927]

Nice! I don't think you'll want to keep the foam idea. I think you'd be better off getting something flat and heavy and slick so that clean up is easier. That foam will keep you from bolting the extractor down solid and will be a mess to clean.

[@JCsBees]

You may be right, Brent. Time will tell for sure. I am just glad I was able to talk the wife into letting me turn the porch into an extraction room. I have been working on this plan for a few years now and this year she agreed. I am tickles pink! Maybe a piece of plex-glass would be better and easier to clean. I will have to experiment with it.

[@Digger927]

Plexiglass is pretty brittle unless you get Lexan. I was thinking more along the lines of a piece of cement board or tile.

[@zebra61]

Nice video Jason! I appreciate all the information that you pass along and all the hard work you put into the videos, they're very helpful to all of us. Congrats on your purchase, I've had the 3100P for 5 seasons now and it's been a very reliable unit for my small operation. During my usage there's never really been any hangups in the honey extraction between frames but admittedly there have been frames that seemed too heavy after extraction. I've flipped the frames (being extracted radially) top to bottom in an effort to clear the remaining honey and that seems to have an effect. There are a number of factors that can play into that remaining honey, temperature being the most likely. Warming my full supers (and my extraction room) up to 90 - 95 degrees has made a big difference in the results. Like a few of your other viewers mentioned, fat frames of comb don't fit well in my 3100P. Slipping frames down into the basket dents fat comb quite easily an so I've learned to cut the comb even with the frame. That makes for a lot more wax & honey in the capping tank but I'm okay with that. I like to dress the frames in preparation for the next season anyway. Overall I've been happy with my 3100P and impressed with the dry frames it produces when used properly. Good luck with yours!

[@JCsBees]

Thanks for sharing the run down Mark. I hope to use mine soon. I was hoping to have had time already but that hasn't happened.

[@cheaphomesteading]

Mark Fossum agree

[@stevenakers8145]

Jason, I absolutely love your videos. how many hives do you have? I'm trying to decide what extractor to get. I currently have 16 hives, but would like to max out around 25 at some point. I can't wait for your uncapping tank video. keep up the good work. 🐝

[@JCsBees]

Hey Steve, I have 30ish hives now but they are not all for honey production. I have 15 colonies for honey production and they are on farm land. It's actually a organic grass fed beef farm that I run. There is a beautiful relationship between cattle and bees. I practice something called rotational grazing or mob grazing and there s always clover in bloom. It's one of the best bee yards I have ever had. I could surely use a bigger extractor now but I have to manage my money wisely as I grow, so this will work for now. In a could years I would like to upgrade to the Maxant 20 framer, I think it's the 1400 series. Glad you enjoy the videos, thanks for watching them.

[@stevenakers8145]

Jason Chrisman this is my 4th year beekeeping. I was thinking I should probably spend the extra, and get the 20 framer.

[@lendallchatellier4868]

I have a hand crank 3100. I like it but do agree that it doesn't extract 100% of honey between frames. It empties one frame completely but I have to flip other frame to empty. I hope to add power motor next year.

[@JCsBees]

That is interesting for sure. I wonder if the power motor will make any difference? After all I would think it would spin faster.

[@lendallchatellier4868]

Jason Chrisman and the motor will allow you to spin longer too. I think the guy at Maxant said he spins for about 8 mins. No way I can hand crank that long.

[@garyjolly5560]

interesting video Jason. I do not have an extractor yet but have been thinking about purchasing one maybe next year lol can't wait to see the follow up video

[@JCsBees]

Well hopefully I highlighted some of the feature to look for in a good extractor and when you go looking you will know what to get.

[@leigh1335]

Great video. Just purchased the extractor and the information was really helpful. Seems to bounce around a lot. Thank you

[@robertveronda4225]

bolting it down will make for extra work when you go to clean it up. I set mine outside for a day and let the bees clean it up, then I washed it out and put it away. I have the Maxant 1600 4 frame with baskets that swing so you don't have to pull frames out to spin the other side. Hand crank but does a great job. Also the 1/2 inch bearing bearing is easy to lose so be careful!

[@JCsBees]

Your probably right, I am just used to my old extractor that would dance across the room without being bolted to floor. I thought about some kind of a leg bolt that had a wing nut head would be nice. It would surely be better than breaking out the ratchet each time to unbolt it. Thanks for the heads up on the bearing, it's been noted.

[@robertveronda4225]

mine is bolted to a section of 3/4 plywood with out legs you can stand on it and crank away. I guess if you could either ride along with it or stop cranking! I have been thinking about making it a power unit then I might be saying bolt it down!! Maybe a stud setup with wing nuts might not be too bad, keep up posted on what you try and what does or doesn't work, Thanks for sharing this with us by the way!

[@ourbeeshoneycom]

@@JCsBees i think most extractors need to be bolted down. Its hard to always get your frames balanced just right

[@MaxantHoney]

Great video! Happy Extracting.

[@JCsBees]

Wow, I never imaged Maxant would stop by my channel, very cool. Thanks for watching!

[@abdulkareem6894]

w good

[@natserog]

great video! i just ordered mine last week. Supposed to be a good one! --thanks

[@JCsBees]

Awesome! I hope you will return to here with your first impressions...Thanks

[@natserog]

Just came in the mail. Gotta put the legs on and will be waiting for you step by step instruction/ tutorial video. haaa!

[@larrypinkerton9521]

Good job

[@kevinlamberg3]

Great product review, thanks for taking the time to record it! I'm looking to upgrade my extractor in the near future and this video was helpful.

[@JCsBees]

Hey Kevin, I just used this one and it does not extract fully between the radial frame positions. I would not buy this extractor. I plan to share a video in the near future about how it failed me.

[@xcamrider]

@@JCsBees Any update on your dislike of this extractor? It's one of my strong contenders for a future purchase. I am wary of how close the frames are during radial extraction. Also, they changed the body of the extractor so it no longer has a honey gate valve. It's a simple pipe connected to the floor of the extractor so it will allow all the honey to flow out instead of that bit that is between the floor and the old gate valve.

[@chipfriday8166]

What was the extra cost for the cone bottom?

[@JCsBees]

There was no option on the bottom on this extractor, I was just stating that it's an advantage to have it. There are cheap extractors all over ebay but most do not mention the bottom in the description to hide the flat bottom they come with. So I wanted to mention that feature for people looking to buy an extractor would know.

[@MrHoneybeeScratcher]

Jason, Where is it made?

[@JCsBees]

They are made here in the USA (Ayer, MA).

[@Bardcar]

Great and very helpful video. I appreciate you noting the weak points also!

[@clintlittle2449]

Great job on the video! I tried mine out last night worked like a charm. I've noticed mine has a different motor on it, and you can turn the basket by hand as said on the instructions.

[@JCsBees]

Wow! Is your the 3100P? On the Maxant site it shows a black motor optional, like if you want to upgrade for the hand crank version. Is your motor black? Is your 9 frame? The basket has me curious.

[@clintlittle2449]

Yes 3100p the motor is black and has 3/6/9 frame basket

[@JCsBees]

Sounds like the motor on their site is what you have then. Where is that motor made? Does the label say?

[@clintlittle2449]

I'll send info in the morning when I get home from work.

[@patdwyer6274]

Great review. I think that extractor would suit me just fine! Looking forward to seeing you using it - the true test. Cheers!