a sorghum or sugar cane press. Got to looking at some things for the farm and noticed that there are less than 60 acres of sweet sorghum being grown in the entire state. With the flour and corn meal I'm presently doing, I think sorghum syrup would be a nice addition to the nitch market I'm presently in.
However, other that presses coming out of India, Pakistan, and or China, there isn't anything being built in the good old USA since the early/late 40's. I'm looking at growing approximately an acre of sweet sorghum this next year. This should give me between 250 and 300 gallons of finished syrup, which happens to sell in this area for $30 to $35 per gallon. Firebox and cooking pans ain't a problem since I have plenty of bricks and stainless steel (and access to a guy that welds stainless for a living).
Most of the sweet sorghum is grown in the KY, TN, and MS areas so I'm sure there are some presses in those areas.
So if you would, keep an eyeball out for one of these beasts 'cause I'm interested. PM me or e-mail at bruce.m.lipe@us.army.mil

Shortround out

 

Bruce, Wouldn`t An Old Apple Press Work ? That Might Be Easier To Find, Amd Because Of Usda Inspection It`s Become A Pain For A Lot Of People ,so They Have Quit Makeing Cider,
Claude

 

Two totally different animals there. Apple type fruits are pulpy and a simple press like the cider press works great.
Cane and sorghum are more like a grass and require rollers to effectively extract the juice.
There are some hydraulic press type units out there but from what I've seen, require something like 100 Tons + pressure to be effective. Additionally, the juice volume is low unless you have a large unit.
Typical cane/sorghum presses are like an old time wringer type washing machine. Usually they're 3 to 4 roller units aranged in either a horizonal or vertical configuration.

thinkingaboutanapevenifit'sabitearlyShortround out

 

Anhieser Busch makes a good tasting Beer called "Redbridge" from Sorgum. (Good for people who need a Glutin free diet. It's strong like Guinnes but good.
Good luck finding a press

 

what about an old-time clothes wringer?

 

I dont know if this will help but my uncle has a sugar cane roll press that is pto operated I know because i used to have to feed the thing when we were making molasis, i will check him out to see if he wants to sell it.

 

lastchance, appreciate you checking it out. Very little difference between the two type presses. Sugar cane presses were build a bit heavier because of the abrasive qualities of the cane. The PTO drive sounds interesting.

Shortround out

 

I think an OLD salt like you should be able to squeeze it out without mechanical assistance! The Army made you soft I guess..

 

Would a 2 roller mill for rolling grain be adaptable for something like that?

 

JD, Don't think so. the pressure required is quite a bit more than for grain. Works pretty much the same way except there is a third roller to do the initial crushing and the other two press the juice out.
Usually a "home" type press would weigh around 1000 lbs and a "farm" type around 3000. Lots of iron in the old beasts.
I appreciate the thought tho.

Bruce