Lyon TX-7 ?

[Smoky73]

I own three, 2 TX-6's and a TX-7 (basically not much different) and I also own the larger version, the Roll-X, which holds about as many eggs as the styrafoam ones.

The TX's hold 26 bantam or 18 standard chicken, depending on the turning grid you use.
They are not the easiest to clean, but can be done. I will never own another incubator, not even a sportsman. I hatch darn near 100% hatch every time, except for shipped eggs, which is a crap shoot anyway. They are the most consistant incubator out there.

The Roll-X I am new too, but the one thing I do not like about it is the turner and grid is MURDEROUS to take out. It is best to leave the turner and grid in there and move the eggs for the last three days to hatch. I have not used it much as I have mostly bantams and I do not have the right sized turning grid for bantams in there.

 

[megshenhut]

Cara, so what are the differences between the TX-6 and TX-7? Is the 7 worth the extra bit of money or not?

 

[chickabator]

the difference is the thermostat the TX-6 has a single turn and the TX-7 has a 10 turn. the TX-6 has a vairance of 0.5 degree temp. range and the TX-7 has a 1.0 degree range. I bought my TX-6 on ebay and it was not that bad of a price it did not have the turner motor with it though so I bought a new motor and then never used it. DH bought a brinsea instead. so now I am trying to sell my TX-6. no I am not trying to get you to buy it either I just thought I would give you a little info that I know about on them . Good luck what ever you decide to do.

 

[Smoky73]

The TX-7 has the 10 turn thermostat ( I am pretty positive thats the difference as I cannot find another LOL) Which means for every like 2° you do one full turn of the dial, instead of just turning the thing a fraction to get the temp higher. Personally, I like my 6's better. The 10 turn knob is a bit jiggily for my taste so I have to tape it down. The other ones the "knob" is more like a stick that you turn. They are both spot on one you get the temp where you want it, and you pretty much set the eggs at day one and just make sure the bottle has water at all times.

If anyone was to get either though, you MUST cover the outlet in the top of the dome if your not using the turner. Otherwise, it lets out humidity (or lets in, depending where you live). Some people say no, but I have tested it on all three of mine and within 10 seconds of the plug being removed humidity starts dropping.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

The first time I had heard or saw a Lyon incubator was Tuffoldhen's. She has a Lyon incubator model from the 60's called the "Transparent Hen" and has 100% hatches w/ it placed right on her kitchen counter.

I fell in love with it immediately and started researching them. I thought how cool to see what was hatching. Anybody that had one I was bugging them asking questions about it. (Thanks Tuffoldhen & JimnJay if you are around!)

So far I really love mine. I had an egg pip on the bottom once and would have never know it other wise. I was able to monitar to see if it was still sticking it's beak out of the pip to breath.

Here's a pic of it w/ a few turkey eggs.

The black box to the back left is the auto turner. You set your eggs on their side pointy side towards the center. It's arm connects over the knob. It gently rolls the egg for 30 secs and then reverse direction each hour.

On day 18 I unplug the auto turner from the top of the clear dome and I do have to tape the plug outlet to keep the humidity up like Smoky was saying. I also know of some people that do not have to tape over the plug, but I do. You just leave the egg turning grid in there during the hatch.

Another little trick I do is heat the water in the microwave before adding it to the container to keep the humidity up. You don't have to add water until the container is empty. I made the mistake to attempt to add water before it's container was empty and when I lifted the container the water came flying out to almost flood it's tray. It probably would have if it would of had more in it. You also only want to use Distilled Water so you won't gump up the wet wick bulb themometer.

The container is on the outside so you never have to open the incubator to disrupt it's temp & humidity. There is a nut bolt that you screw very close to the base of the bottle and you unsrew it a little at a time to release the water to the reservior.

The bottom is a super easy to clean. The side of the dome isn't bad, but it is a little tricky up where the motor & fan is enclosed.

Hey Smoky, let me know how you like the Roll X. I was drooling over that one b/c it holds more eggs, but was disappointed that the sides aren't clear like the TX's.

 

[erthymom2]

not quite on-point, but i have a RollX from Marsh that is older but very reliable.
Only complaint I have is the fan is so darn loud when running !! any one with thoughts how to quiet it down??

 

[Smoky73]

Your right, the Roll-X fan is pretty loud, but I keep mine in the Laundry room so do not notice LOL.

I just got mine this year, used on Ebay. I got a turner and turning grid with it, but was not sure which egg it was for.

Before I bought mine this yearI borrowed a friends, who had a pheasant grid in it.
I started with both bantam and standard in it, and originally thought that the eggs were supposed to lay on their sides the whole time like the TX's. Then I learned they go pointed end down. Needless to say the first hatch didnt go well because they were not turning as they should. Hers also had the water bottle off to the side of the incubator, connected by a tube. After a week of tring to get the humidity set right, I finally got it.
Then when mine came, the water bottle was not there, but it fit through a hole on the lid , which by the way I do not like. I cannot regulate the humidity as I should as it lets all the water out of the bottle. It sits about 62% in there all the time and I have to fill the bottle about daily. Mine is an older style though and I believe all the new ones use the side bottle and tube method. There was also the factor to take into consideration that I had to order a water bottle, and the company screwed up and I was without a bottle for 2 weeks of the incubation process so had to add water to the bottom manually. However, I did still get eggs to hatch from it so it is a very good bator considering all the screw ups I had to start with. I am done hatching for the year, but expect to do well next year with it for large fowl eggs.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

Quote:
You know I think w/ any incubator you are using for the first time has to work the kinks out to see how to help make it run smoother. At least I do. LOL!!!!!!

I am also done w/ hatching for the yr. Keep me posted when you get started again next yr w/ the large fowl using the Roll X. I was so tempted to one last yr, but decided to start w/ the TX7 first.

 

[megshenhut]

I've been reading more about the TX-6 and TX-7 and I also read the thermometer types are different. Smokey, is that so? And if so, is one better than the other?