Happy Valley Ranch - Homesteader Cider Press & Grinder
The Only Fruit Press On The Market Made From Hard Maple & Cast Iron
Durable, Old Fashion Materials With Innovative Design. Made Right Here In The USA
All the same features of our top-of-the-line double tub press in a single tub unit!
Who Is This For
1) People Looking For The Flexibility To Process Soft Fruit and Hard Fruit
2) People With A Small To Medium Orchard
3) People Who Don't Want To Slice Or Push The Fruit Into The Unit and Enjoy The Efficiency Of Grinding Their Apples In A Machine Instead Of By Hand
4) People Who Want A Design That Allows For Easy Cleaning & Maintenance
5) People Who Want To Have An Item Of Such Quality That It Will Become A Family Heirloom
Introducing The Homesteader Cider Press & Grinder
The Homesteader Cider Press and Grinder is our original model that brings together the best features of mills and presses from the 20th century. Having been manufactured continuously since 1984, this press and grinder has many updated features that enhance our most popular apple press and grinder unit. The Homesteader is perfect for the small orchard farmer, homesteader family, and individual enthusiast alike.
Unlike other mills, the Homesteader has a design feature that both grinds and squeezes at the same time. The popular "Apple Eater" grinder reduces apples to pulp-like texture for the most efficient press. This design feature means the homesteader can produce the most cider from apples-- and in the quickest way possible! By far, this press is the best hand-operated unit available (but be sure to check out our motor kit).
Durable Materials Meets Pioneering Design
A Durable Drum with Powerful Apple-Eating Teeth
No slicing or pushing apples down with the Apple Eater! Our heavy-duty, hard maple assembly eats apples with ease and has an easy clean up. Nestled inside the Apple Eater is our improved hard-maple wood drum with inset stainless-steel grinder teeth. Having the inset teeth ensure a stiff and long-lasting Apple Eater. Additionally, the drum now has increased mass versus the previous lightweight plastic polymer drum. More mass means more power to chew those apples!
Please Note: ALL PRESSES COME UNFINISHED! You’ll want to protect it with varnish, lacquer, Poxy Coating or 1 Pints of EZ-DO Polyurethane Gel. For your convenience you can add this to your order by choosing to add the Essentials Kit ($89) to your order. Or you can choose to have us to fully prepare it for you by coating it, waiting 48 hours for it to dry, sand it at a 320 grit, paint it again for a fresh look, then lightly sand it again at 600 grit. If you'd like this extra service then choose to add the Polyurethane Entire Press ($450) to your order.
Parts made for the Pressure of Pressing
The acme screw presses against our updated pressing disk. This disk, like the frame, is made of hard maple and has a 2" reinforced handle with inset for easy handling. The tub has beveled staves for easy cleaning.
Drum assembly features hard maple wood with stainless-steel inset teeth. We've increased the mass for increased power for apple eating. Cast iron grinding box. Sturdy unit designed to handle usage for decades!
We recommend that a small amount of lubricant is applied to the screw as well as the inside the pressure foot. For your convenience you can add this to your order by choosing to add the Essentials Kit ($89) to your order.
Press Play on this video to watch the acme screw press against the disk
Sharp Corners Sharper; Soft Corners Softer
All wooden parts are made from hard maple wood. Previously, Happy Valley Ranch Cider Presses used soft maple, but we recently moved to hard maple to ensure durability and ruggedness. The homesteader has one hardwood tub which has beveled staves that aid in cleaning. It measures 12" high, 13 1/2" in diameter with banded heavy steel hoops. One tub has an approximate capacity of half a box of pulped apples.
Our frame has the greatest precision ever! Each joint has been re-designed for a tighter fit and, as always, are notched and cross-bolted.
Technical Specifications
Homesteader Cider Press & Grinder | SKU: HVR-HCP |
Dimensions |
31W x 25L x 40H (inches) |
Weight | 155 lbs |
Frame Description | The main frame is made out of hard maple and all joints are dadoed and cross-bolted for added structural support |
Screw Description | The Acme-threaded press screw measures 1 1/2″ in diameter, 22″ long, and passes through a heavy cast iron cross arm |
Tubs | 12” high by 13 ½” in diameter and are banded with heavy steel hoops |
Grinder | 5 1/2″ diameter hard maple cylinder featuring 8 serrated stainless steel knives |
*Two Year Warranty*: The Homesteader comes with a 2 year warranty from the date of your purchase. If anything requires to be replaced or repaired, the Manufacturer, Happy Valley Ranch cider presses promises to do so free of charge, or a refund may be offered, less return freight costs.
Assembly Video - 20 minutes
Check Out Some Real World, In-Depth Reviews
Apple Cider Makers
"We had our kids and grandkids over to grind up the apples, it was really quite a family affair"
Wine Making
This individual is still using his homesteader from 10 years ago!
Compare All The Happy Valley Ranch Fruit Presses
Model |
Price |
Orchard Size |
Soft & Hard Fruit? |
Frame Material |
Tub Size |
1,574.00 |
Medium - Large Orchard |
Y |
Hard Maple & Cast Iron |
2X 12”H X 13.5” Diameter |
|
$1259.00 |
Small - Medium Orchard |
Y |
Hard Maple & Cast Iron |
12”H X 13.5” Diameter |
|
$ 921.60 |
Small Orchard (~5 trees) |
Y |
Fir & Cast Iron |
|
|
$ 839.00 |
Small - Medium Orchard |
N |
Laminated Hard Wood & Cast Iron |
12”H X 13.5” Diameter |
|
$179.95 |
Very Small Orchard |
N |
Laminated Hard Wood & Cast Iron |
11” H X 9” Diameter |
Accessories
The Essentials Kit - $89
The Essentials Kit has everything you need to get up and going with your press
- Lubrication for your screw and inside pressure foot
- EZ-DO Polyurethane Gel to protect your wood
- Fruit Pressing Bags. Our fruit pressing bags will last for 6+ years. They are made of a custom made nylon that is far thicker than any out there. They are superior to cheesecloth bags because it has wider openings to allow the maximum flow of juice while holding back the fruit bits.
The Motor - $479
Take your pressing game to the next level with Happy Valley Ranch Motor Kits. Make pressing so much easier.
- 1/2 HP Motor
- Pulleys & belt w/guard
- Pillow block bearings w/spacers
- Motor Safety Hopper
- All required mounting hardware
Heres a video for easy installation
The Retractable Wheels - $99.95
Simple to install and mighty handy! Move your press easily-- even down steps or over rough ground. Install by tipping the press forward and dropping the 8" wheels in place. Push press upright again and the wheel lock into place. (A set of handles included on Homesteader/American Harvester set).
This video was before we added the option for retractable wheels so what you're watching is a DIY version of the retractable wheels accessory that you can purchase. I think this video is a great visual of how important and useful it is to have professionals to install this game-changing accessory
Wooden Hopper - $73
Go through large amounts of produce faster by installing a hopper onto your cider press & grinder
Expert Project Support
As proud authorized dealers of products to bring you closer to your friends, family and land we we are constantly looking for ways to support your dream.
Whether you are trying to create maximize your orchards harvest or perfect family environment for your kids or grandkids: the best price and the best advice will always be available when you contact us directly through our website, email or phone.
We look forward to serving you