9 replies to this topic

[su-geek]

Good Day,

I was wondering how others mound their grape crushers. Last year I bought a manual stainless crusher it worked out very well. The one problem I encountered was having to hold down the crusher (over a bucket) and turn the flywheel at the same time. I am planning on building something this week, I am guessing it will end up being out of wood rather than metal (cider pressing next weekend) a fabricated metal stand would be wonderful but...

My crusher in use last year:  crusher.jpg   86.78K   79 downloads

I appreciate your advise, and community knowledge in advance. Searching the forum I found: http://www.winepress...a...ost&id=8094

Thanks,
Adam

[Hammered]

I bought a neutral barrel from a local winery and cut it in half and use that to receive the crushed and destemmed grapes. I then just use a pan to scoop the must into my primary containers, or for white wines, into 5 gallon buckets to pour into the press.

[red_feet]

Good Day,

I was wondering how others mound their grape crushers.

I appreciate your advise, and community knowledge in advance.

Thanks,
Adam

I have an older crusher that I just sit atop my primary fermenter. The primary is a couple feet off the floor and I stand on a box to turn the crank. I crank with one hand and use the other to hold the crusher handle against my chest to prevent too much movement. After crushing several bushels I have a bit of a sore chest, but it's only once a year.

Ken

[dustybridgewines]

I also just purchased a manual crusher. I found that my crusher fits perfectly over a 100 or 120qt cooler. The legs hang over the ends, nothing misses the cooler, and the stems come out outside of the cooler. Cheap and easy.

[su-geek]

I also just purchased a manual crusher. I found that my crusher fits perfectly over a 100 or 120qt cooler. The legs hang over the ends, nothing misses the cooler, and the stems come out outside of the cooler. Cheap and easy.

I tried this a few weekends ago it work out pretty well, I tried a few other mounting methods also (35 gallons of cider takes time to process and 5 more to go...).

This last weekend we tried it mounted between two barrels with planks joining to another barrel making a V with the crusher in the middle. This did work but cost me the skin of my knuckle and shook the whole setup (using the planks hold cutting boards to clean up and quarter apples). Thanks for all of the advise, I am guessing I may have a stand fabricated this winter as well as work on mounting an electric motor and pulleys and a safety cover of course. The only problem I foresee about building a big stand is losing my portability, this year I pressed/crushed at both my house and my parents transporting both the bladder press and the crusher.

[niko]

Good Day,

I was wondering how others mound their grape crushers. Last year I bought a manual stainless crusher it worked out very well. The one problem I encountered was having to hold down the crusher (over a bucket) and turn the flywheel at the same time. I am planning on building something this week, I am guessing it will end up being out of wood rather than metal (cider pressing next weekend) a fabricated metal stand would be wonderful but...

My crusher in use last year:  crusher.jpg   86.78K   79 downloads

I appreciate your advise, and community knowledge in advance. Searching the forum I found: http://www.winepress...a...ost&id=8094

Thanks,
Adam

[niko]

Where did you get your crusher? It looks like it would be reasonably priced and do the job.

[Calamity Cellars]

I built the stand and chute so that it fit over the edge of a macro bin and around brute cans

[naper wine guy]

I had mine sitting atop a couple of saw horses above the brute can. It worked ok - but I probably had it a bit too high. Still - I probably got close to 99% of the grapes to fall into the brute container. I do like the chute design. I think I may look into one of those for next season.

Attached Files

•  IMG_5214.JPG   688.05K   27 downloads

[Woods Wine]

Adam,
I think your original concern is that it's hard to stabilize the unit while you are cranking the flywheel.
How about something as simple as a couple of ratchet straps from handle to handle and around the bottom of the barrel or pail that the crusher sits on?