Log splitter apple cider press conversion?
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What about a cast iron cylinder with a spicket use the same head and use a round that fits the cylinder. With something to keep the round from splitting? And you would need to be up higher to drain. Maybe a set of car ramps. I have one of these and that's where the idea is around. The whole top comes off.
![[Hearth.com] Log splitter apple cider press conversion?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/97/97777-cd295ffa58bd84687a6e8261b396c08d.jpg?hash=V0Rsgi9otk "[Hearth.com] Log splitter apple cider press conversion?")
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That would work.... Might be able to use the existing pusher plate instead of a round. I don't have one of those though...
That would work.... Might be able to use the existing pusher plate instead of a round. I don't have one of those though...
There a pain in the azz to use them like that. Last year we done about 10 gallons with it. Never again and its worth a shot.
Ditch the wheel...weld on a nut....1/2" pneumatic impact wrench. Bang.
Edit..heck it already has a nut on there. You're in business.
Definitely worth a try...might need a 3/4" impact...but if that wheel is 12" and you are putting full whammy on it by hand I doubt you're getting much more than 150 ftlbs of torque...which should be no sweat for a 1/2" wrench.
I don't have one of those...what do I do?
Maybe a large metal pipe treaded, cap one end and drill a spicket and use a 5 lb barbell for a top plate? I think I will still try the log splitter first should be a lot less effort for it.
Even the right cast iron pot may do the trick. Maybe even cutting down an oxygen tank something like that.
my take on this,
1) if you use an impact, the threads are not made for that, they will strip, you need an acme thread (roadrunner and coyote beep beep)
2) the threaded rod brackets are cast, the impact will compress faster than the apples will squish (technical term) overloading the casting and cracking it
3) the reason it works by hand is you have to stop and regrip, allowing the apples to compress without overloading the castings.
4) you need a low speed gearbox to apply a SLOW steady force so the apples can squish out the juices and not overload the castings
I think the log splitter idea will work using a little caution, replace the wedge with a "x" diameter steel plate and squish them apples
1) if you use an impact, the threads are not made for that, they will strip, you need an acme thread (roadrunner and coyote beep beep)
2) the threaded rod brackets are cast, the impact will compress faster than the apples will squish (technical term) overloading the casting and cracking it
3) the reason it works by hand is you have to stop and regrip, allowing the apples to compress without overloading the castings.
4) you need a low speed gearbox to apply a SLOW steady force so the apples can squish out the juices and not overload the castings
I think the log splitter idea will work using a little caution, replace the wedge with a "x" diameter steel plate and squish them apples
I kind of thought that about the cast. At-least mine its over 100 years old. Lower that ram slow should work really well. (Still a darn good thought outside the box)
I'd imagine home building one out of a piece of 10-12" sch 40 and than a round pusher tied into the cylinder of the splitter would work.
I think you'd have to put some serious pressure on it to crack it. I don't know what kind of pressure an apple press needs, but I'd guess if that hand crank model works it's not anything too crazy.... ie... don't get the splitter into 1st stage on the pump and sit there for 10 mins letting it press the apples! 
Yea, you just really blow the whole thing out of the water with that press of yours. I really can see it setting in the dinning room. With the old cast iron one.
Eh, wipe it off with a semi clean rag and you'll be all good. If it doesn't kill you it only makes you tougher
Perhaps a piece of stainless or aluminum for the pipe and pusher? I'd imagine less chance of junk other than consumables getting into the jug.
Perhaps a piece of stainless or aluminum for the pipe and pusher? I'd imagine less chance of junk other than consumables getting into the jug.
Eh, wipe it off with a semi clean rag and you'll be all good. If it doesn't kill you it only makes you tougher
Perhaps a piece of stainless or aluminum for the pipe and pusher? I'd imagine less chance of junk other than consumables getting into the jug.
I don't worry to much about it, but after seeing what Dennis made it makes me want one. In a couple years I will have a surplus and be nice to be able to sell off some. With that said and really no money out of pocket to use the spliter it may be the way to get me out of this year. (But not long term)
heat seeker
Minister of Fire
We use a hand presser similar to the OP's, run by hand. We do pasteurize the cider, and it doesn't affect the taste.
My trees aren't to that point yet so I buy cider for fermenting.
When in doubt check Mother Earth.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/do-it-yourself/build-a-cider-press-zmaz76soztak.aspx#axzz2ObQOuWfp
When in doubt check Mother Earth.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/do-it-yourself/build-a-cider-press-zmaz76soztak.aspx#axzz2ObQOuWfp
Look like somebody may have beat you to the "punch" 
. Titan-Pro has a log-splitter fruit press attachment: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...35093AE31BB08BA281603509&first=61&FORM=NVPFVR
. Titan-Pro has a log-splitter fruit press attachment: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...35093AE31BB08BA281603509&first=61&FORM=NVPFVR
I don't think I'd want to go through 3-5 bushels of apples with that little fella. It would take forever.
Hello Everybody. Sorry for digging up an old thread, but I ran across this in my search for a relatively low cost, yet easy way to press apples. I liked the idea of a hydraulic vs screw type press. Having a log splitter, and like others, I thought that might be a good way to go. I found the one made by Titan Mfg, and liked the concept. However, I couldn't find any US distribution and didn't want to buy another log splitter.
Long story short, I came up with this design using poly cutting boards mounted to wood....here's a video on my FB page...
For the initial test run, I was pretty pleased with how it worked. Total investment so far is under $150. The most expensive part was the stainless steel pan with drain hole. As old, dirty, and oily as my log splitter is, the only thing that comes in contact with the apples or juice is the food grade stainless steel and poly cutting boards.
More pics...
The pressing plates in the open position.
Cloth bag of ground apples ready to be pressed.
Initial pressing is accomplished by applying downward pressure on the push rod.
Pressing finished.
Long story short, I came up with this design using poly cutting boards mounted to wood....here's a video on my FB page...
For the initial test run, I was pretty pleased with how it worked. Total investment so far is under $150. The most expensive part was the stainless steel pan with drain hole. As old, dirty, and oily as my log splitter is, the only thing that comes in contact with the apples or juice is the food grade stainless steel and poly cutting boards.
More pics...
The pressing plates in the open position.
Cloth bag of ground apples ready to be pressed.
Initial pressing is accomplished by applying downward pressure on the push rod.
Pressing finished.
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