MiniMax Honey Extractor - Layens Model - Free Shipping!
We have truckloads of extractor components coming in and are running out of space!
For a limited time, get $129 off your purchase of a MiniMax Layens extractor!
Hurry, this sale won't last long!
You asked for it, and we delivered! A compact, top notch machine that extracts Layens hive frames. In addition to extracting 3 Layens frames per load, it also has flexibility to extract Langstroth frames as well! See below for more details:
Part of our "Max" family of flagship extractors, the MiniMax stands head-and-shoulders above the competition in many ways. Here are a few things that set it apart:
- Proven HillCo PowerMax drive system: an industrial grade motor, gearbox, and controller. Smooth, quiet and durable, it's a great combination of simplicity and refinement. This is the same design that we use all the way up to our big 32 frame extractors!
- 21 gauge, type 304 stainless steel tank
- Ez-Drain honey gate design: the honey drain valve is located slightly below the tank floor, giving you a complete, seamless honey drain.
- Max extractor tank features a HillCo-exclusive tank bottom that slopes towards the front, ensuring that all your honey flows smoothly towards the gate. No tipping the tank, no hassle, it just works!
- Industry exclusive 4/10 warranty: motor, gearbox, controller, and wiring are guaranteed for 4 years. The rest of the machine (tank, legs, lower bearing, reel, etc), are guaranteed for 10 years! We have engineered a quality product and we will stand behind it!
- Designed and assembled in USA by HillCo!
Other features/specs:
- 1/4 horsepower PowerMax motor, 5:1 ratio worm-drive gearbox
- Extracts 3 Layens frames, or 3 deep Langstroth frames, or 6 medium/shallow Langstroth frames, all tangentially (meaning you extract each side of the frame separately)
- Grease-able lower bearing
- Rubber feet to protect your floor
- 5 gallon bucket and strainer fit below the honey gate
- Tank diameter - 21"
- Width (at widest point of legs) - 29"
- Overall height - 48"
This is a fantastic machine, and we know you'll love it!
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This machine is absolutely awesome and amazing if treated with a little respect during use. My very first extraction of 60 medium 10 frame supers was smooth, quiet, fast and easy. If you crank the speed to max from the get go it will walk, they all will when free standing. Start off gradual on the excelerator NOT pedal to the metal. Once up to an efficient speed there was no need to hoover over this unit. Used correctly, to include safely, this extractor will treat YOU with respect. A solid build and a warranty to match, Complety satisfied with this purchase.
I went from 5 to 15 Layen’s hives and decided that crush and strain was out this year so bought this extractor.
I will say that there are no instructions included. There is a qcode on the side that takes to some instructional information on multiple products but honestly I found them lacking especially since there was nothing about the Layen’s model specifically.
This thing is quiet! Loved that. I was doing some data gathering this year so I weighed each frame before and after extraction with a fish scale. I found that if the frames are about the same weight it’s smooth. If not this thing will walk across your room before you know what’s happening. I think I’m going to have to make a weighted base for it as bolting it down to my kitchen floor isn’t an option 😁
The forward/reverse thing is a mystery due to lack of instructions so I first thought you run it one way for one side of the frames then the other for the other side. Nope. You WILL have to turn the frames. I still ended up running both ways on each side.
I love that I don’t have to tip it to empty the honey out at the end. There still is a small amount along the rim but more than acceptable.
Tear down and cleaning is a breeze.
As I grow this could be a pain point since it only does 3 frames so hopefully more designs are in the future as this style of hives becomes more prevalent in beekeeping.
By the way John if you want any input or thoughts for other equipment don’t hesitate to reach out 😁
Thank you Tyler for this great review! Sorry for the confusion on the forward/reverse button. We use that same controller on a few models, and some customers do use the reversing function on the radial extractors, but you're correct that it doesn't do any good for this machine. Thanks again!
I recently purchased this extractor and couldn’t be happier with it. My bee yards consist of Layens and Langstroth hives. I bought the Layens version of this and then purchased an extremely affordable additional reel and shaft to be able to also use it for Langstroth frames. During the first portion of our honey harvest I used it for running Langstroth mediums. It will hold 9 and puts a 12 frame extractor from another company to shame. This thing is QUIET! And SMOOTH! Start it slow and then relatively quickly run it up to high speed. I haven’t bolted it down to anything, but it hardly wobbled. And it reverses direction. Amazing! If you buy one of these, either Langstroth or Layens version, you will not regret it.