Dimensions - 31W x 36L x 40H
Weight - 180 lbs

Frame Description - 4 Legs Made From Hard Maple
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 -2X 12” high by 13 ½” in diameter and are banded with heavy steel hoopsGrinder5 1/2″ diameter hard maple cylinder featuring 8 serrated stainless steel knives

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 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. 

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 to your order.

How fast can I make apple cider?

A whole box of apples (40 lbs.) can be crushed into apple pulp by the grinder, in less than 5 minutes! It can then take less than 10 minutes to press the slurry into cider. A box of apples can produce 2 to 3 gallons of cider. You can reasonably expect to make 12 gallons of cider per hour using a single-tub apple press like the Homesteader and 25 to 30 gallons per hour using the double-tub American Harvester as you can both grind and press at the same time.

Which fruit press model should I buy?

If you are only pressing grapes or other soft fruit (not apples) in small quantities, you will do nicely with the tabletop soft fruit press, The Yakima.

If you have access to a decent amount of fruit then you should probably buy one of the single tub apple presses like The Homesteader press or Pioneer Junior.

If you have a lot of fruit, a roadside stand, a large family, or make cider for friends and neighbors, then you can really benefit from the double-tub cider press, The American Harvester, which allows for simultaneous grinding and pressing!

Do the apple cider presses come ready to operate?

Almost. To abide by carrier size and weight requirements, the presses are packed in several large pieces and only a few bolts are required to complete assembly.

Do they come with a manufacturer warranty?

Yes. All cider presses come with a 1-year warranty as standard. If anything requires to be replaced or repaired, the Manufacturer promises to do so free of charge, or a refund may be offered, less return freight costs.

How many apples does your tub hold?

A single tub unit will hold approximately a box (40 lbs) of pulped apples.

How many grapes will the tub hold?

Depending on the size of the grapes, the large wine press tubs will hold approximately three gallons of non-crushed fruit. The small tub (Yakima) will hold approximately one gallon of non-crushed grapes.

Are the cider presses portable?

Yes. Although the apple presses weigh quite a bit, two adults can easily move them. They can be easily moved by one person by attaching a set of wheels

Are your cider presses safe to use?

Yes, but be sure to keep your fingers out of the grinder!

Why do I need the apple grinder attachment?

It is hard on both the operator and the press itself to press whole fruit that hasn’t been pulped. More so, the fruit must be ground into a pulp to better release the juices retained in the cells of the fruit. No hand press is powerful enough to crush whole fruit to a pulp. Without an apple grinder, you will first have to chop the fruit by hand. A wine press used only for grapes and other soft fruit can suffice without a grinder.

Is the “Apple Eater” grinder hard to use?

Not at all! The smooth turning stainless-steel blades and 18-lb. cast iron flywheel does all the work. The special design of the Happy Valley Ranch “Apple Eater” grinder requires far less labor than any other fruit grinder on the market, in our opinion.

What happens to the seeds, stems, and skins during pressing?

The seeds and stems of most fruits are small enough to pass through the grinder without being crushed, so they cannot alter the flavor of the juice. A cheesecloth or pressing bag during the pressing process traps all particles.

Do I need to apply a protective coating?

Yes, all wine and cider presses come unfinished. You should apply a moisture resistant, food-safe protective coating prior to the first use such as varnish, lacquer, EZ-DO Polyurethane Gel

How should the machines be cleaned?

Just hose off the unit with water and dab dry after use. Do not use soaps. All wood parts should be sealed prior to first use, to resist moisture. A light coating of vegetable oil on the cast iron grinder will help to resist rust.

Can I use my cider press more often than just during cider making season?

You bet! From mid-summer on, berries, grapes and other vegetables are ready for pressing. You can use your apple press for pressing stored fruit any time of the year, and even cheese.

Which Accessories Are Right For You

Essentials Kit

Everything needed to get up and running with your Happy Valley Ranch press. EZ-DO, two pressing bags and Petrol-Gel lubricant.

EZ-DO is the perfect protection for your press. FDA-approved, non-toxic.

Pressing bags are made of heavy nylon and are easy to insert. Bags hang over sides about 5 inches and can be filled 3/4 full. Then, just twist top garbage bag. Place pressure disk on top and watch as juice begins running. Bags are reusable.

Petrol-Gel is the purest of all lubricants with odorless and tasteless paraffin base oil. Food grade and USDA-approved. Perfect for Acme screws and pressure foot.

The Motor

Take your pressing game to the next level with Happy Valley Ranch Motor Kits.  Make pressing so much easier. 

Motor Kits include: 

• 1/2 HP Motor
• Pulleys & belt w/guard 
• Pillow block bearings w/spacers 
• Motor Safety Hopper 
• All required mounting hardware

The Retractable Wheels

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

Go through large amounts of produce faster by installing a hopper onto your cider press & grinder

Juice Rack

Juice rack which goes under the Tub for better flow of liquid. The American Harvester racks are angle cut for fitting in the front of the tray. Sizes: AH & HS - 14 x 14. AH & HS, New PN - 14 x 14, Old Pioneer - 13 x 13, 8400 - 15 x 15

NOTE:
All bare wood is required to have a protective coating. We recommend food safe EZ-DO Polyurethane Gel.

Upper Cross-Arm & Acme Screw Combo

Upper Cross-Arm & Acme Screw Combo for American Harvester & Homestead presses made before 2014. Can be used on all new presses also. NOTE: Pressure foot sold separately.

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.

Easy to insert. Bags should hang over sides approximately 5 inches. Fill 3/4 full and then twist top like a garbage bag. Place pressure disk on top of bag and watch as your juice begins running. Bags are reusable.

Picking Bag

We have tried it and found it to be very handy and useful. Excellent for any type of fruit. Hi-density foam padded shoulder strap is adjustable. Heavy-duty, quick-release snaps for easy emptying through the large opening at the bottom. The strap is made of Polypropylene Webbing and will withstand hard use for years to come.

Apple Picker Upper Wizard

No bending down for apple pick up!  We have two Wizards to choose from to assist you with Apple Picking Up!  For small apples and fruit, choose our first option-- also known as the Nut Wizard Large.  For larger apples and fruit, the picker upper known as the Pine Cone Wizard is the best fit.  Please note that the dumper tool is only effective for the smaller option.Simply lightly roll the basket over your apples or small fruit and watch as the item pushes past the wires and into the basket-- ready for emptying.  Durable, American-made product.  Holt's Nut Wizard brand.