American Harvester Cider Press & Grinder – A Product of Happy Valley Ranch

The American Harvester Cider Press and Grinder is our double-tub 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 have many updated features that enhance our most popular apple press and grinder unit. The American Harvester is perfect for the orchard farmer, homesteader family, and individual enthusiasts alike.

Unlike other mills, the American Harvester 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 American Harvester 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). What other unit can boast 50 gallons of cider from one afternoon and two workers? Just the American Harvester!

Our Apple Eater Features 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 of 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! The drum is double coated with Poxy Coat II food-safe coating. See our accessories for Poxy Coat II!

Parts made for the Pressure of Pressing

The American Harvester Features a 1 1/2” cast iron threaded acme screw—an industry-leading thickness that can withstand the pressing pressure needed.  Happy Valley Ranch Cider Presses’ pressing disk is made of hard maple wood and has a 2” thick handle with inset for easy lifting—ready withstand the pressure of the acme screw.  Our screw foot is made of cast iron and distributes pressure evenly.  The flywheel is 18lb cast iron construction and is attached to the grinding shaft for a smooth grinding speed.

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 American Harvester’s two hardwood tubs have beveled staves which aid in cleaning. They measure 12″ high, 13 1/2″ in diameter with banded heavy steel hoops. Each tub has an approximate capacity of a box of pulped apples. Includes two juice racks for easy flow of juice. Our frame has the greatest precision ever!  Our frame features a four-legged construction with laminated hard maple wood. Each joint has been re-designed for a tighter fit and as always, are notched and cross-bolted.

Accessorize!

All presses come unfinished. We offer two food-safe finishing options in our accessories area. Be sure to check out our accessories—pressing bags, Petro gel for acme screw lubrication. Better yet, see our Mega Kits for everything you could every want—press, wheels, motor kit and all needed accessories. Buy all together and save!