Our latest equipment upgrade was a used “Zambelli” basket press with a capacity significantly larger than anything we had ever used before.
We actually found this on Craigslist – in Maryland (and pulled it on a trailer across the Bay Bridge).
Not only does this press have larger capacity, it also comes with a hydraulic mechanism, making it a manual hydraulic press. And it has a pressure gauge!
The basket itself is so large that it can be taken apart into two sections, which is handy for cleaning, but even handier for removing the pomace after pressing is done.
We have to move the press with the tractor though, it is much too heavy for any of us.
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| Crushed and destemmed grapes are dumped into the basket |
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| Grapes are pressed and juice runs out |
When the pressing is done, the basket pieces can be removed and the pomace is exposed, which can then easily be removed with a pitch fork and carted to the compost pile.
