Powered Cane Press

[dougg]

I've got an old Goldens #2 Cane Press that is setup for a horse. Anyone converted these to motor or tractor power?

 

[MIKE R]

It is most likly driven from a belt from the horse tread. You can belt it to a electric motor. Getting the speed correct is important as running the press to fadt can cause it to fly apart. I have seen photos of a corn sheller that flew apart from running to fast and parts flew hundreds of feet and some hit a vehicle with enough enery to peirce the body. If you know the speed of the press you can make a speed reduction for it to be run by electric.

 

[kensnelling]

I have no idea what brand my grandparents old sorgum press was, but if yours is anything like their's was it was connected to the drive animal by a 10' or so pole. Last saw one in operation in the mid 1970's so I have no idea what the ratio of turns was. You'll have to see how many revolutions the rollers make for one revolution of the drive plate. Then figure out how many rpm your engine or electric motor turns, then calculate the size drive and driven pulleys you'll need. As already mentioned, those were slow rpm operations so don't try to run it to fast.

Ken

 

[Ed of all trades]

Hook a small tractor or lawn mower to the end of the pole and turn the kids loose driving, when one gets dizzy let another take a turn. We did that with a cub 40 years ago and I still remember trying to walk after getting off of that tractor.

 

[Gator6x4]

I have seen some that were converted. They mounted an automobile tire on the cane mill. They had a tractor with a PTO driven belt pulley (Ford 8n). The then used a belt over and around the automobile tire and the pulley on the tractor. I can't remember if the belt was crossed or not. The large size of the automobile tire in relation to the pulley on the tractor slowed the revolutions down on the cane mill. The pulley on the tractor was making several revolutions to one on the cane mill. I am sure a 10-12 horsepower engine with the rights size pulleys would work just as well. The motor pulley and compressor pulley from a old discarded air compressor should work well also. A air compressor repair shop may have one they will let you strip the pullies from. If going this way, air compressor pulleys I think I would search for a two belt pulley instead of a one belt.

 

[crowbar032]

Unfortunately I never saw it in person, but I know of a guy who rigged one up to run off of a PTO shaft. He took a rear end and transmission off on an S-10 and mounted it to a platform. He found some large old gears from a mining operation and welded them to the top of the cane mill (where the stick normally goes) and one to the hub of the rear end. The gears he found would accept ag roller chain. He then took a PTO shaft and attached it to the yoke on the rear end, put the transmission in reverse and turned on the PTO. Worked beautifully. My uncle helped him several years using that set-up. I've got a picture my uncle forwarded somewhere, I'll have to see if I can find it.

My dentist also has one that runs off of a PTO. He'll be making molasses here in about a week. I'll see if I can get a pic of it.

 

[Don87]

I've got an old Goldens #2 Cane Press that is setup for a horse. Anyone converted these to motor or tractor power?

This guy did:

Making molasses from sugarcane - YouTube

 

[dougg]

Thanks for the info and that youtube link. Any pictures would help.

 

[Don87]

Thanks for the info and that youtube link. Any pictures would help.

If you can run that link in slow motion, you can count the revolutions and get the speed relatively close.

 

[Don87]

I counted 1/2 turn in 10 seconds.