has anyone made a plucker using an old concrete mixer

[desertscorpio]

I was wondering if converting a concrete mixer into a feather plucker could work the main concern I have is if the tumbling will have the Same effect as other pluckers where the sidding is statonary and the bottom rotates. Has anyone attached plucking fingers to the inside of a concrete mixer or tub like device without the feather plate in the bottom that spins independently. If so did it work. I would think the tumbling would be sufficient in defeathering but I'd hate to spend the money in making this only for it to not work and I would have ruined a perfectly good concrete mixer. Also how many fingers would be recommended, how far should they be spaced,what length or softnes. Any succes or failue stories with a similar idea would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Nupe]

I honestly can't see how it would work. You need the walls to be stationary and the base to spin in order for the fingers to rub the feathers off. I can't see how you can get rubbing out of tumbling.

 

[eviemethugh]

We are using an old lawn mower. I think the only usable part you would get off of a concrete mixer would be the engine and a pulley system. We almost had a scare when we realized that the rate of rotation is extremely important, so your engine has to have a precise amount of power. I kind of think the rate at which I'm imagining a concrete mixer would be too slow to spin anything for a chicken plucker. There is a book that give you the exact information for finger spacing and everything to diy the plastic battle style pluckers. Might be good to buy that first, although the kit we bought came with it.