Description
The Toe Cane Beekeepers Association has two motorized extractors similar to the model pictured and an assortment of related equipment available for members in good standing to use on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The Natura extractor is the larger of the two extractors and will hold nine shallow or medium frames radially. With the proper cage inserted, it will also spin three large or medium frames tangentially but they must be flipped to extract both sides.
- The Maxant extractor will hold six medium or shallow frames radially and three frames tangentially.
If you wish to borrow the club’s uncapping equipment, including the uncapping tank, hot knife, sieves and bucket, you must reserve the uncapping kit separately for the same period. We recommend that you add both items to your cart prior to checking out.
Unfortunately, broken or improperly cleaned equipment or delayed returns impact the TCBA’s ability to meet member demand and puts a burden on other members to fix, clean or chase down equipment. As a result, we have been forced to adjust the TCBA policies regarding member use of the club extracting equipment. We also hope this will streamline the procedures for borrowing equipment.
Upon return of the equipment to the TCBA Equipment Manager on time and in clean and working condition, all but $10 of your deposit will be refunded, usually within two business days. The $10 we retain is an administrative fee. If equipment is broken or not clean, the cost for repairs or cleaning will also be subtracted from the refund.
Important Information
- Your reservation is not confirmed until you hear from the equipment manager and both parties agree upon and arrange specific pick up and drop off times.
- You may reserve only ONE extractor and only for ONE week at a time. Family membership does not include the right to use two extractors at the same time. Once equipment has been returned and checked in by the equipment manager, the member is then eligible to place a future reservation.
- Only members are eligible to reserve equipment.
Equipment Pick Up and Drop Off
- All pickups are on Saturday and all drop offs are on the following Friday.
- All equipment is to be picked up and dropped off at the shed behind the Yancey County Extension office and must be done face-to-face with the TCBA Equipment Manager or a TCBA officer.
- Only TCBA members may pick up equipment. The equipment manager may require you to present ID and a valid credit card at pick up.
- Members are prohibited from picking equipment up from other members or dropping it off at other locations without permission of the club president.
- With the prior approval of the TCBA Equipment Manager, you may be able to arrange to pick up the equipment later or return it earlier, but it must be within the seven-day window from Saturday to Friday. For example, if you chose to pick up the equipment on a Monday, it still must be returned on Friday.
Equipment Agreement
- At the time of pick-up, you will be asked to submit a completed equipment checkout agreement. You can print one out and bring it with you, or you can fill it out on site.
- During pick up and drop off, the TCBA Equipment Manager may take photos or video of the equipment to document its condition.
- If we are unable to fulfill your reservation due to the late-return of equipment or damage to the equipment, we will let you know, but we may not be able to extend your return date.
- Instructions for the use and cleaning of the equipment are available on our website. Ask if you need a printed copy.
- You are responsible for adhering to the instructions and ensuring anyone else who operates the equipment does so in a safe manner.
Penalties
- Failure to pick up the equipment at the agreed upon time may result in a cancellation of your reservation and the extractor will be lent out to the next person on the wait list. You will be charged a $25 no-show fee.
- Failure to return the equipment on time will result in a $25 late-fee per day.
- If the equipment is more than four days late, we will charge your card $50 for each additional day it is not returned.
- In the event that the TCBA equipment manager or an officer has to go to your house to pick up the equipment, you will be charged an additional $100 per trip. If you do not return the equipment and do not respond calls or emails in a timely manner, we reserve the right to take other actions, including reporting the equipment as stolen.
- Failure to clean the equipment in accordance with these instructions and return it in clean condition will result in a penalty of up to $50.
- Should the equipment be lost or damaged while in your possession, regardless of whether such damage is accidental or willful, the club will deduct the cost of repairs or replacement from your deposit with the balance billed to your credit card.
- Penalties will be subtracted from your deposit and may affect the amount of your refund. Should penalties exceed the amount of your deposit, they will be billed to your card.
Equipment Use is a Privilege
Please remember that use of club equipment is a privilege. Those who abuse the equipment, fail to return it on time, return it dirty, damaged, or broken may lose that privilege.
