Anyone do it?

I'd like to do apples and tomatoes on a large enough scale to provide a yearly supply of juices.

We got an American Harvester from Happy Valley Ranch about 18 years ago. Love it. Not difficult to use or maintain. Upgraded to electric powered crusher 10 years ago, and recommend it. Also use it for crushing grapes.

For a years supply you will need a bunch of apples, and storing that much liquid would be a real challenge for us.

I did apples 1 year. Built my own press(wood frame with a 5gallon bucket and a scissor jack) and grinder. Press worked great, the grinder worked, but if I did it again I would use a garbage disposal as the grinder. I made 10 gallons of cider in a couple hours. Grinding took the most time.

Tomatoes I use a norpro sauce maker. I also use this when I do grapes.

Looking to can it.

This

https://images.app.goo.gl/ksn81ge5njC7BxJE7

With



Or with this




?

Or just this?

Had a neighbor that modified an old washing machine. The inside looked like a torture device. It would pulverized the apples then he would turn it on spin and drain.

we do it every year, my buddy bought an expensive hand grinder and large press. I bought a cheap garbage disposal (obviously don't want to use a used one LOL) and a cheap press off amazon I believe. we make a lot of apple cider and save some for adult apple pie!!!! always do it labor day weekend. keeps kids busy and they love it

What is your opinion on above gear?

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I got the same unit in 2001 also. I hooked up a motor/ belt/ pulleys to do the shredding. I made a plate with a big nut on top and use air wrench and compressor to run the press up and down.

we've got a large commerical press from cider making/selling days but never use it do to size as in it cranks out a minimum of 200 gallons at time. so what we use these days is basically versions of the units that you have shown. I wouldnt get one with the old school wooden wine basket for press though. wood is a royal pain to truly sanitize--- put the money into a stainless body cylinder on the press. secondly, as the others said, its ideal to improvise on these smaller units. buy the grinder and with a simple hook up to belt/motor youll be happy. that saves much effort. if you want to skip that unit, ive seen the garbage disposal work but its not as effective. third, for the press work, youre better off with something like a hydraulic jack mounted into a jack stand compared to the corkscrew action on the unit youve shown. you'll be able to have a heavy plate made to fit inside stainless press body that can be run up and down on hydraulic or air if you prefer

FYI---we can run 50 gallon containers in afternoon just hanging out with friends using the little units

Got any pics?

Was going to use elec drill for grinder instead of motor

not that can think of. probably can take some when we set up if youd like

Here is a .53 gal for 50$



I could mount a hydraulic press to that

How big of a basket do I need to get that 50 gal in an afternoon messing around with friends you mentioned?