THE ALEXANDRA SEPARATOR,

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2973, 4 August 1891, Page 4

THE ALEXANDRA SEPARATOR,

As this is withou doubt the best Separator manufactured, we think a short description of it will be of interest to our readers. That which distinguishes the Alexandra from all other machines is a novelty in its construction by which the cylinder or bowl is made to rotate by friction. This is effected by the top of the steel spindle being made ball-shaped, and upon that top the cup-bearing cylinder rests. This is the most important feature of the Alexandra patent. It has numerous advantages over all other machines. One of these is that there is no side strain on the spindle, in conse-

quence of there being two separate pieces. Thus a much larger and heavier cyliuder can be driven with a correspondingly smaller aud lighter spindle, so effecting a great saving of power. This adds also to the safety of the machine, which is the preeminent feature of the Alexandra, seeing that the cylender maintains its revolutions from start to finish without the slightest vibration whatever. In order to prevent the possibility of accident, all the rotating parts of the machine are protected by a well-designed cast irou apron. No fixing is required with this separator, its own weight and independent motion beiug quite sullicient to secure its stability. As every one knows who has given any attention to the subject, the cylinder is

the most important part of a mechanical separator, as by it the extracting of all fats from the milk is effected. The points worthy of special notice in the cylinder of the Alexandra pertain to its shape and internal construction, it being globular and free from corners or sharp curves. The carryiug wiDgs of the cylinder are not only hard soldered, but also steel screw rivetteri. This massive piece of steel is tested to bear the pressure of one hundred and fifty atmospheres; fully double the strain to which it will ever be subjected. Unlike most other separators, in the Alexandra the cream flows from the cylinder through a round hole instead of a slit, whilst the akim milk flo'.va over the neck of the cylinder, whore it has ample room. The advantage of this plan is obvious, as, there being five times as much bulk of milk as of cream, it naturally requires more room. The arrangements for lubricating are such as to commend the Alexandra to any practical man. The oil, after making the entire circuit through the bearings, is conveyed by a pipe into a driptin, in which it collects, and, if it is still pure, it can be used again. This, as all who have used separators will readily acknowledge, is a valuable improvement, as nothing can be worse in a dairy than to have oil continually flying off a machine on to the tloor. Cleanliness is one of the most important factors in butter-making, and the fact that the cylinder of the Alexandra has no coiners or sharp curves makes it remarkably easy to clean it. The other puts ol this separator e.in be cleaned with the greatest of ease, consisting, as they do, of only two turned titetl covers and inflow anil receiving tins. Thus it will be seen that, in cleansing as well as iu lubricating, the Alexandra is as nearly perfect as possible, securing absolute cleanliness and, at the sime time, avoiding waste. Indeed, the details of construction Kcnerally are, from a mechanical point of view, admitted to embody all the latest improvements possible. The range of sizes and prices of the Alexandra will place it within the reach of all classes who require a separator, from the smallest dairyman to the largest co-operative factory. No. S machine, with a capacity of from 20 to 23 gallons per hour, can be used by a little girl of i ten years of age, while the No. I machine, i with a capacity of 300 gallons per hour, i

require'! only one horse-power to drive it, thus proving that there is absolutdy no waste of power. A number of these separators are now on the way from England, and when they arrive they will he Bold at prices which will compare most favourably with those of other machines, which do not possess the same advantages.

Ou .July loth a private trial of a No. 1 Alexandta Separator (capacity, 300 gals. per hour) took place at the butter factory of the New Zealand Dairy Association at I'ukekolie, Messrs Bycroft and Spragg (of the Association), Mr Farley (of

Meal's Reynolds aud Co.), and several oLber gentlemen who were interested in the dairying industry being present. The machine was driven from a liue of shafting by a twenty-inch pulley, and attained a speed of ij.SOO revolutions per minute. The speed was indicated by the ingenious counting apparatus, which is a distinguishing feature in the Alexandra, which causes a bell to ring automatically every timo that the cylinder completes one hundred revolutions. This apparatus can be put in and out of gear in an instant, and it is an infallible indicator of the speed at which the cylinder is revolving. Thero were six machines of another type in the factory, but as these were of a smaller capacity, the Alexandra was capable of separating the whole supply of milk without detaining the suppliers. The machine was working up to its full capacity, as fully five gallons of skim milk per minute were taken away from the skim milk outlet. From remarks passed as to the cleanness of the skim milk by those present, it was apparent that they were fully prepared for the result of the analysis, which showed that only a tour hundredth part of 1 per cent. (0 - 04) of fat remained, this being practically infinitesimal. The trial was a complete success in every way. So satisfied were the Dairy Association with the construction of the Alexandra and the results of the trial that they ordered six machines of the largest capacity, and Messrs Reynolds and Co. ordered no less than ten machines. Indeed all joined in expressing their entire satisfaction at the result of the trial. We understand that Messrs Reynolds and Co. have been appointed sole agents for this district.