Pioneer 3-Part Grinder

The Happy Valley Ranch Cider Presses Pioneer grinder is exactly like the Homesteader 3-part grinder, just painted red.  The flywheel, however is the lighter weight, 12lb version.

Our Superior Grinder Drum

The “Apple Eater” grinding cylinder has eight rows of stainless steel teeth (5 1/4") embedded into a hard maple wooden drum (5 5/8"x6 1/4") that is securely fastened to the shaft. It is secured with a steel pin to a harden steel shaft. The shaft length is 20" and the diameter of the shaft is 3/4".  The end result is a totally maintenance-free grinding device that quickly reduces a box of apples to an easily pressed pulp. 

Tested and proven to give more juice from apples without grinding the seeds or stems, resulting in a clear sweet cider without bitterness. (Note: There may be a problem with this drum fitting an older Pioneer model that had the wooden sides.)

Why Not a Polypropylene Drum?

Polypropylene drums are advertised as bacteria free. This is true, but so are our hard maple drums.

Polypropylene drums are like plastic Easter eggs, they are two hollow pieces that are glued together. As the sealant starts to crack under torque, juice starts to fill the cavity (and leak back out). Eventually the drum just breaks apart. The plastic soon softens so the pulp gets larger over time.

Why a Hard Maple Drum

Our hard maple drums are solid and double sealed using EZ-DO to form a protective coating to keep the drum like new.  Since it is solid and much heavier, the centrifugal force means less effort with better results.  Honestly, the big benefit of polypropylene drums is they are easier to make, and it is easier to sell you on the idea than it is to make a quality drum.

Cast Iron Flywheel

The Pioneer 12lb flywheel is light weight and easy to turn.  Don't be fooled by the lighter weight, it can still easily crush apples to a fine pulp.

The handle is also made out of soft maple for a more comfortable grip which will last a lifetime.