Thomas Alpha Plus User manual

USER’S
GUIDE
Alpha Plus
Extractor
Réf. C1009
THOMAS APICULTURE
French designer and manufacturer
Of beekeeping equipment
ZA de l’Évangile
321, rue Bernard de la Rochefoucauld
45450 Fay-aux-Loges –France
Tél: [phone]
Fax : [phone]
E-mail : [e-mail]
www.thomas-apiculture.com
Non-contractual picture

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- Version du 10/06/2020 -
Technical Definition
Stainless-steel
Capacity : 40 Dadant frames
Motor : single phase 220 V –750 W
The Alpha Plus extractor is a new generation
horizontal axle extractor. Loading and unloading is
made easy and limits useless manipulations.
Entirely made of stainless-steel and with a 40
Langstroth, 34 mm Hoffmann or 56 to 60 Dadant
frame capacity, the machine is delivered with the
input (1) and output (2) conveyors.
For optimal comfort, the extractor can be used
continuously with an Alpha Plus uncapping
machine.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
CAUTION : Before connecting the appliance to a power supply, make sure that your electric
installations comply with current standards (differential circuit breaker protection, earth wire,
etc.).
Check the supply voltage.
Before using the unit for the first time, clean it to remove any residual metal shavings or filings.
Secure the machine to the ground (delivered with drilled stands).
Keep out of children’s reach - Unplug after each use.
Long handle (9)
Closing handle (10)
Entry conveyor (1)
Hood (7) Exit conveyor (2)
Safety device (3)
Safety break (19)

- Version du 10/06/2020 -
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
The uncapped frames are pushed onto the input conveyor to load the extractor. With the
centrifugal force, it will extract the honey from the frames. Towards the end of the cycle,
the frames full of honey waiting on the input conveyor, push the extracted frames onto the
output conveyor.
The machine speeds up during the cycle. The speed parameters (total duration,
accelerations) can be adjusted from the control box.
The input and output conveyors are made of stainless-steel and have flaps to recover the
dripping honey. The input conveyor has a loader with crank.
The extraction cycle lasts for about 10 minutes. To reduce this time, it is recommended to
put the frames in a warm room before extracting the honey.
The machine is equipped with a safety device on the hood. Off grid, it is possible to manually
unlock it by unscrewing the (A) bolt, then turning the (B) arrow towards the « unlocked »
position.
Before starting the extractor, the arrow must point towards the « locked » position.
For the conveyor installation, see the full chain installation guide.
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DIRECTIONS FOR USE
•Loading and unloading:
Plug in the machine. Press the power switch (6). Open the hood (7): a safety device
stops the machine from being opened when in a cycle or not plugged in.
Pull the input conveyor handle and take care to leave the output conveyor handle
upright. Load the frames on the first side of the extraction cage. Pull up the input
conveyor handle (1). Check that the frame stops (8) are in a vertical position.
The extractor has a paddle break. This break stops the cage from turning on its own. To
unlock the cage, press the red paddle (19). Turn the cage 180 ° (half turn). Do not put
your hands in the extraction cage during this process. Bring the input conveyor handle
down and load the second side of the extraction cage.
On both sides it is very important to leave a small space (about the width of a frame) at
each end of the cage’s face. This space allows the frames to separate a little during the
cycle and to let the honey flow freely.
Frame-stop in vertical
position (8)
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Push the locking handle into the « locked » position: to avoid any damage to the fork (B),
during the closing of the hood, make sure the handle is in the notch (A).
Notch (A)
Fork (B)
Locking handle in « locked » position
Fork (B)
Notch (A)
Locking handle in « open » handle
The extraction complete, align the cage with the two conveyors and bring the handles
down.
Load the input conveyor (1) with the crank handle loader: the empty frames are pushed
by the full ones. Repeat the operation for the second side.
CAUTION : Always install the maximum number of frames in the extractor (while leaving
a small space on each side), otherwise, the frames may slip and break. If needed, use
empty frames. Ensure that there is always symmetry between the frames and the
rotation axis.
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•Cycle operation
The extraction takes place in three stages. The speeds of the first two are set by default
at 20 and 30 Hz and the duration (predefined at 3 and 2 minutes): box duration settings
(11) and (13); Hz speed adjustment (4). Ask the workshop for programming if necessary.
If the extracted frames are not body frames, it is possible to delete the second step by
setting its timer to 0 (11). Do not remove the first bearing (13).
The third level is reached after a gradual acceleration. The speed of the third level
(maximum) is given using the speed indicator / variator in Hz (4) and can be controlled
using the potentiometer (16). This speed can be adapted in real time, once the second
level has been reached.
The total duration of the cycle is given by the tempo (sum of the steps) (10).
At the end of the preset cycle, the extractor will stop automatically. Wait for the
unlocking "click" before opening the cover. The machine can be stopped before the end
of the cycle by pressing the red emergency stop button (14) (then unlock by turning it
clockwise). Wait for the “click” of the safety release before opening the cover.
First cycle
timer
(13)
Circuit
breaker (15)
Indicator /
dimmer
speed in Hz
(4)
Second cycle
timer (11)
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Tempo
(cumulative
acceleration
stages) (10)
Istop switch
(14)
Rotation
speed /
frequency
display
in Hz (4)
POWER
switch
(6)
ON switch
(12)
3rd step speed
potentiometer (16)
MAINTENANCE
CAUTION : Unplug the device before any maintenance. Protect the electric parts when
washing the whole machine.
Clean with hot water. After cleaning, let the machine run for a few minutes so as to dry
it out. Grease the bearings every two years (use food grease).
The Alpha Plus extractor is meant for an annual use, but must run regularly all year
long (at least a few minutes every month). It is recommended to store the machine in a
dry place.
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Frequent questions
CAUTION : Unplug the device before any maintenance operation.
Problems Possible solutions
The machine does not start
- Check that it is properly plugged in to a power supply.
- Check the power supply (possible power failure)
- Check that the circuit breaker (15) is on the ON position
inside the control box
-
Check that the red STOP button (14) is unlocked by turning
it clockwise.
- Check that the hood safety device is on « locked » position.
- Check that the locking handle (10) is on the correct «
locked » position.
Only one of the stages can be
accomplished
- Check that the energy controller (11) is not the 0 setting.
- Check that none of the timers are on the 0 setting.
The machine is loud or vibrates
too much
- The frame stoppers (8) may not be well positioned. In this
case, the frames may have slipped. Press the red STOP
button (14) and wait for the safety « click » to open the hood.
- Check that both sides of the cage are symmetrical.
The frames still have honey
- Check the extraction time. If needed, make it last longer.
-
Check that the frames have a little space between them so
that the honey can flow out.
- Check that the honey has not crystallized.
The handle does not engage
- Check that nothing is in the safety device.
-
Adapt the height of the safety device with the bolts behind
it.
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If the problems are still there,
please contact us :
Customer Service :
02 38 46 88 00
From 8:00 am to 12:00 am
And from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
From Monday to Friday
[email protected]
Technical Help:
08 99 25 66 20 (cost: 0,05€/min)
High season 12H/24 and 6 days /7
(Monday - Saturday 8:00 am –8:00 pm)
Off season 8H/24 et 5 days /7
(Monday –Friday from 8:00 to 12:00
And from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm)
[e-mail]