REMOVING ALL UNNECESSARY FAN LEAVES FROM THE PLANT
Defoliation is the most critical element of the growing and harvesting process and effects every step of the process, from the moment the plants start growing, until the product is packaged and ready for the shelf. The key to proper defoliation is removing all unnecessary fan leaves as soon as they start developing. A simple rule is to remove all fan leaves from the bottom 3rd of the plant during the vegetative and flowering phase and then removing all remaining fan leaves during the flushing period or 10 days prior to harvest. The following are all the benefits and downstream effects proper pruning, and defoliation generates:
Benefits of Defoliation During the Growing Phase:
Spreading out defoliation over the entire grow cycle reduces the labor over time 2. Supporting the plants with trellis or scrog netting is much easier 3. Light penetration and absorption are drastically improved 4. Air circulation is increased 5. Less nutrients & water is required and is distributed more efficiently 6. Less CO2 is required if it is being utilized 7. Less risk for pests & diseases 8. Pests & Diseases are much easier to mitigate 9. Flower structure and density improves 10. Trichome & Cannabinoid Development Improves
Benefits of Defoliation During the Drying Process:
Less space is required for drying (fan leaves are roughly 20% of total plant volume) 12. Drying time is slightly reduced 13. Less humidity released into room from plants 14. Air circulation is increased 15. Risk of developing mold or mildew is significantly reduced 16. Consistent moisture levels from plant to plant is easier to achieve 17. Much easier to dry properly for dry trimming with a machine (drying sugar leaves without over drying buds)
Benefits of Defoliation During the Bucking Process:
Easier to see individual buds 19. Less material to handle 20. Bucking process is more efficient
Benefits of Defoliation During the Trimming Process:
Reduced trimming cycle time due to less material 22. Eliminates crows’ feet when wet trimming 23. Eliminates hook stems when dry trimming (stems retain more water and leave a hook at the base of the bud) 24. Eliminates chlorophyll from trimmed leaf 25. Eliminates touch-up after machine trimming 26. Machine is easier to clean
Benefits of Defoliation During Extraction Process:
Eliminates touch-up of flower prior to packaging 28. Improves look and taste of concentrates 29. Improves extraction Potency due to lack of chlorophyll in trim 30. Reduces solvent required due to higher volume of quality trim in each batch
HANG WHOLE PLANTS OR INDIVIDUAL STEMS TO DRY IN A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT
The branches should be left to dry slowly in a temperature and humidity-controlled room. Drying cannabis branches typically takes 7 to 10 days. It is important to avoid rushing the drying process by using high heat and low humidity, as this can degrade the cannabinoids and terpenes in the buds, affecting the overall quality of the final product.
Things to consider when drying cannabis plants:
For best results, maintain a temperature range between 60-70°F and relative humidity (RH) between 45-55%.
Start at a slightly higher humidity level and taper down over the dry period
Dry period ideally should be 10-15 days or 5 at a minimum
Ample airflow throughout the dry room is critical in preventing mold and mildew
If bucking the buds with an automated bucking machine after drying, we suggest bucking a day or two before drying would typically be complete and then finishing the dry process in totes allowing all the buds to homogenize dryness in preparation for trimming (see step 4. Pre-cure for more information)
Over drying will stop C02 respiration effecting terpene profiles and the curing process (be sure not to over dry)
Consider using water activity equipment
Drying and curing cannabis are two different processes that shouldn’t be confused with each other
Allow the cannabis to dry until it reaches an optimal moisture level between 9-13%
It’s important to keep humidity and temperature levels in check to prevent rapid drying. Air that is too dry or too hot will cause your cannabis leaves to dry out quickly. This can lead to harsh smoke, an unpleasant taste, and a reduction of potency
Monitor temperature and moisture levels throughout the process using thermometers, hygrometers, or humidity packs. Doing so can help ensure that your leaf condition does not degrade due to rapid drying caused by poor environmental conditions.
REMOVING THE BUDS FROM THE STEM WITH THE BUD BUCKER
Things to consider when bucking:
NOTE: We recommend Bucking the plants a day or two before they are completely dry, then follow step 4. and Pre-Cure the Bucked Buds prior to Trimming. If plants are too dry to safely use the Bud Bucker, use scissors.
a) Cut and individualize branches from the stalk
b) Cut and individualize stems from the branches (leave 2-3 inches at the base of the stem when using the Bud Bucker)
c) Using scissors or Bud Bucker, when possible, remove and individualize all Buds from the stem
d) Leave 1/8” of stem at Buds base after Bucking
e) When Bucking dried Buds with the Bud Bucker, be sure the Buds are not over dried, and the feed rate is set to 20 or lower
f) When Bucking wet Buds, be sure to Buck and Trim immediately after harvesting, do not allow the harvested plants to sit for more than a few hours before Bucking and Trimming, doing so can cause the leaves to curl in, and Buds to squish, effecting Trim quality
g) TAKE THE TIME ON THIS STEP TO ENSURE THE BUDS ARE 100% INDIVIDUALIZED, WITH NO MORE THAN 1/8” OF STEM, AND FREE OF ANY FAN LEAVES
Important Note: If break down of colas are a concern, cut the cola off the top before feeding the stem into the bucker. Keep in mind that at some point prior to packaging the buds will have to be broken down. Most facilities do not package buds larger than golf ball size. Consider allowing the bucker to perform the inevitable and break the colas down for you, as it will have to be done at some point
Our objective is to reduce the number of buds that need to be touched up after they have ran through the Satellite bud trimming machine down to 20-30% of all buds. To do this and to get a consistent trim using a trim machine, it is crucial to homogenize, equalize or create a consistent dryness through and in your entire harvest and especially from small buds to large buds. IF YOUR PRODUCT IS NOT CONSISTENTLY DRY, IT WILL NOT CONSISTENTLY TRIM. Thus, step 4. and the pre-cure process is arguably the most important step in the process.
Suggestions for Pre-Curing:
Pre-Cure after the buds have been dried and bucked but before trimming
Ideally use shallow long wide totes to pre-cure in, this will eliminate humidity settling to the bottom of the tote creating a more humid environment for the buds at the bottom of the tote
Monitor the humidity level closely and ensure the lids are cracked or product is burped often
Rotate the product twice daily
Pre-Cure should take 3-5 days of the minimum 10-day cure process
Step 7. “Final cure” should take the additional 5 days and product should stabilize at 55-60% RH
At the end of Step 4. “Pre-Cure”, Stems should still have a little flexibility, but leaves should snap when disturbed
Check dryness by rubbing two buds together or by flicking the leaves with your finger, if the leaf doesn’t come off when buds are rubbed together, it will not come off in the trim machine
Wait to trim in a trim machine until product is truly consistently dry, the amount of touch up time saved will be worth the wait!
Side Note: The Pre-Cure step should not disrupt your grow cycles, as you have already freed up the dry room for the next harvest, as well created more space for storage having already bucked the buds.
Adding this pre-cure/staging phase into the process allows you to trim the product when your schedule and resources are available, while simultaneously ensuring that the product is dry enough to effectively trim with a machine, creating less touch up on the back end and saving time and labor.
REMOVE THE LEAF FROM THE BUDS, COLLECT AND SEPARATE THE TRIM
Note: Dry Trimming is done by friction, not cutting. Be sure your trim room humidity is not above 40%
DO THE FOLLOWING TO ELIMINATE TOUCH UP, SAVE YOUR SMALLS AND MAINTAIN BUD STRUCTURE:
REMOVE ALL FAN LEAVES with exposed stems
INDIVIDUALIZE ALL BUDS and trim stem to less than ¼”
DRY ALL BUDS completely and consistently
CONSISTENT DRYNESS FROM SMALL BUDS TO LARGE BUDS IS THE KEY TO ELIMINATING TOUCH UP AFTER TRIMMING
If more than 30% of the buds must be touched up after trimming the leaves are not consistently dry or dry enough
Storing buds in large totes will cause the buds on the top to be drier than the buds on the bottom
If possible, pre-cure buds in long, wide and shallow containers, with the lids cracked or open prior to trimming
Check dryness by rubbing two buds together or by flicking the leaves with your finger, if the leaf or stem bends and doesn’t snap, it is not dry enough
TRIM 1 POUND FOR 1 MINUTE
Load 456g into the machine and allow the product to trim for around 1 minute
If the product is not trimmed after 1 minute, it is not consistently dry or dry enough
Use the inner lids to control the amount of airflow moving the product
Use forward and reverse on the fingers to control the amount of agitation
SORT BUDS INTO SHAKE, POPCORN, SMALL, MEDIUM, AND LARGE BUDS
Pre-sorting is typically done as the product comes out of the Satellite Bud Trimmer it immediately get sorter on the Bud Sorter. The enables you to remove the shake and popcorn from you’re A & B buds prior to Touch Up. Removing shake and popcorn before touch up ensures that unnecessary handling of popcorn is avoided, as well sifting through shake to find the buds that need to be touched up.
The Bud Sorter: The Sorter let you accurately, efficiently, and safely sort your cannabis and hemp buds into shake, popcorn, small, medium, and large buds. Without vibration or moving parts, your buds stay in pristine condition.
Suggestions for Pre-Sorting:
Place roughly 1lb of dried, trimmed buds onto the ¼” grate. Use the soft, food-grade brushes to gently move the product over the different-sized grates, sorting the buds by size.
The Bud Sorter is best used after drying and trimming but before quality control and packaging. Removing the small buds and shake from the QC and touch-up process will significantly improve efficiency.
Sorting Grate Sizes come standard in the following sizes (custom sizes can be made in 1/8” increments): 1/4”, ½”, 7/8”, 1 1/8”, 1 5/8”
If you only want to remove small buds and shake, you can double your productivity by sorting from both sides. Place a ¼” and ½” grate on both sides of the Bud Sorter and brush your product into the center bin.
When you are done sorting, place the lower shelf on top of the Bud Sorter to create another work surface for your trim room.
The Bud Sorter separates similar sized and weighted Buds for packaging eliminates the handling and trimming of popcorn and shake
The Bud Sorter separates similar sized and weighted Buds for packaging
FINE-TUNE THE MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE BUDS AND ALLOW THE DECAY OF SUGARS AND CHLOROPHYLL
Curing improves the aroma and flavor of cannabis by encouraging the breakdown of by-products in the buds after they are first harvested, as they still contain sugars and starches stored by the plant for growth. After harvest, the plant begins to degrade as enzymes and aerobic bacteria break down these excess sugars and starches. Curing cannabis essentially forces the plant to consume the remaining sugars, starches and nutrients before they have had a chance to dry out and become trapped inside the plant. If this process happens too quickly, not only will the sugars and chlorophyll in the flower disappear: the terpenes will too, taking all the flavor with them. The curing process ensures that the sugars and chlorophyll in the flower are broken down slowly, without affecting the terpenes. The presence of these leftover sugars and minerals is what causes the burning sensation in the throat that is noticeable when smoking cannabis that has not been properly cured.
Cure in a dark enclosed environment
Use hygrometer to measure relative humidity (RH)
Curing room environment should be 45-55% RH and 60-70F degrees
Curing container environment should initially be 55-65% RH
Curing should be no less than 10 days and as much as several months
Fill containers and totes with 50% product and 50% air or head space
Burp twice a day for 10 minutes the first week
Burp once a day for 10 minutes the second week
Burp as needed after the second week
RH should stabilize at 50-60% RH after 10 days
Stems should snap when curing is complete
Buds should be like a sponge and bounce back in shape after squeezing
C02 respiration should stabilize at around 450 when curing is complete
REMOVING ANY REMAINING LEAF OR STEM AS QUALITY CONTROL AND TO INCREASE BAG APPEAL
The only way to automate the harvesting process efficiently is to reduce the handling and hand trimming of buds. Touching up is where most facilities spend most of their budget and time. If you must touch up and handle over 50% of your buds after using a trim machine, you might as well have just hand trimmed the entire crop. After 14 years of working with our clients we have realized that REDUCING THE TOUCH UP IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO! If you have descent product and our process is followed correctly, touch up should be 25% of all buds or less.
Suggestions for Touch Up:
Touch up should be done after pre-sorting and having removed the shake and popcorn from your A & B buds
Touch up should only be preformed on A & B buds, not on smalls or popcorn
KEY STEP – Spread all A & B buds on a sheet pan or table and quickly remove all buds that do not require additional touch up
Using scissors or The Trim Pen remove any unwanted stem or leaf from the remaining buds
If you are touching up more than 50% of your A & B buds, the product was not sorted, prepped or dried properly prior to machine trimming
Proper prep is accomplished by drying the product thoroughly and consistently, removing all unnecessary fan leaves, individualizing all buds and ensuring that no more than ¼” of stem remains at the bottom of each bud prior to machine trimming
Note: We have found that on average a QUALIFIED hand trimmer can trim 2 pounds of product per day but can touch-up just over 6 lbs. per day.
That equates to 904g (Trimming) vs. 2,880g (touching-up).
2,880 per day equates to 360g per hour and 6g per minute.
Each trimmer should be touching up 6g per minute and should only be handling less than 50% of all buds
REMOVE ANY REMAINING SHAKE AND POPCORN PRIOR TO PACKAGING
After touch up is complete and using either The Bud Shaker Box, The Bud Sorter or The Bud Sorter Mini, sort the product one last time prior to packaging to ensure that all shake and popcorn has been removed.
Suggestions for Final Sort:
Final sorting is a very straight forward and quick step in the process and is typically done with The Bud Shaker Box or similar product
Final Sorting is typically done by each trimmer directly after touch up is finished and right before product is transported to packaging
Using The Bud Shaker Box, simply put the pile of touched up buds in the top container, give it a quick shake and then distribute the sorted buds from each of the 3 containers to packaging
The Bud Shaker Box has 3 nesting containers, the bottom container is for collecting shake, the middle has 3/16” slots and collects popcorn, the top has ½” slots and collect the A and B buds
PACKAGE PRODUCT FOR STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND SALES
Packaging the product into various size containers for sales or storage can be done in a variety of ways including by hand. There are several automated packaging companies in the industry that can help facilitate this process. The important thing is that it is done right after touch up to preserve quality.
The Bud Buckers quickly and gently removes the Buds from the stem, utilizing rollers that grab the stem, and pull the stem through various hole sizes. The Bud Buckers can be used for both wet, and dry product, and with its unique speed control, and hole design, both models will pluck the Buds from the stem, without damaging the product. The Bud Buckers will help you complete the Bucking process, in half the time, and with half the staff.
The Bud Buckers comes standard with a workstation, forward, reverse, and true speed control to adjust the feed rate for wet and dried product. The Bud Bucker has a removable chute and 8 feed holes with interchangeable tips. The Bud Bucker Mini has a removable chute and 4 feed holes with interchangeable tips. Tips sizes can also be ordered custom to your preference. The Bud Bucker accommodates 2 people feeding simultaneously from either side of the unit.
Important Note: If break down of colas are a concern, cut the cola off the top before feeding the stem into the bucker. Keep in mind that at some point prior to packaging the buds will have to be broken down. Most facilities do not package buds larger than golf ball size. Consider allowing the bucker to perform the inevitable and break the colas down for you, as it will have to be down at some point
HOW TO ASSEMBLE
1. Cut the banding and remove the unit from the pallet, peel off protective film
2.Lift and rotate open the back panel and lock the lid stays
3.Place a Bud collection bin on the front shelf below the feed holes, ensuring that the container sits tight to the front panel with no gap between
4.Place a stem collection container on the back side, and base of the unit
5.Plug the power cord into an 110VAC outlet and power on the unit
6.The Bud Bucker is now ready for use
HOW TO OPERATE
1.Properly prep the product by removing all fan leaves and individualizing the stems from the stock
2.When bucking dry product run at slower speeds, when bucking fresh product run at faster speeds, find the speed that plucks the buds best, faster or slower isn’t always better and can vary by strain
3.Be sure to leave 2-3” at the base of the stem, so that the rollers have something to grab onto
4.If there is a Bud at the base of the stem, simply pull that first Bud off by hand and then feed the stem into the appropriate hole
5.Although the Bud Bucker can handle stems with multiple offshoots, we recommend that you individualize them as much as possible
6.Feed the stem into the appropriate hole, ideally the stem is slightly smaller than the hole size, do not feed a small stem through the largest hole, as it will pull some of the Bud through and will not pluck the Bud properly
7.If a branch you are feeding into a hole has secondary stems be sure to feed it into a hole size that will accommodate the thickness of the secondary stems
8.Grouping several small stems together and feeding them through an appropriate larger size hole is an option
9.If a stem only has one or two Buds on it, don’t bother feeding it into the machine, pluck them by hand and move on
10.Utilize the reverse switch if a cola is too large and cannot be pulled through the hole, cut the top off, and switch back to forward
11.Continue feeding stems into the appropriate holes, and remember to empty the stem collection bin
12.For quicker production use two people on either side of the machine
13.You can optionally Buck and Trim the product with the fan leaves on, and although it may be faster, keep in mind that this will change the quality of your Trim, due to excessive chlorophyll in the fan leaves, it is best to remove the fan leaves before the harvest, and ideally during the flushing period
14.For the best trimming results, ensure that there is no excess stem at the base of the bud, and that each bud has been completely individualized and most importantly, to avoid crows’ feet, that all fan leaves have been removed
Important Note: If break down of colas are a concern, cut the cola off the top before feeding the stem into the bucker. Keep in mind that at some point prior to packaging the buds will have to be broken down. Most facilities do not package buds larger than golf ball size. Consider allowing the bucker to perform the inevitable and break the colas down for you, as it will have to be down at some point
HOW TO CLEAN
Remove dust and debris using compressed air
Clean metal components with denatured alcohol or HD (purple) Simple Green and a rag
Clean rollers with a rag and denatured alcohol
Use a plastic putty knife to scrape residue off rollers
Optionally you can unscrew the feed hole tips and chute to remove and soak in alcohol
If cleaning with a pressure washer be sure not to spray the speed control box
SPECIFICATIONS:
BUD BUCKER MINI
Weight: 66 lbs
Ship weight: 100 lbs
Assembled Dimensions: 32″L x 22″W x 24″H
Ship Dimensions: 48″L x 40″W x 30″H
Production (single operator): 1 plant / 1-5 minutes
BUD BUCKER
Weight: 116 lbs.
Ship weight: 180 lbs
Assembled Dimensions: 42″L x 28″W x 46″H
Ship Dimensions: 60″L x 40″W x 30″H
Production (single operator): 1 plant / 1-5 minutes
The Bud Trimmer removes unwanted leaves from cannabis and hemp Buds. The key to a quality trim is control. The Satellite is a wet and dry trimmer that offers the most control of any commercial trimmer on the market. It is for the commercial cultivator who requires efficiency but refuses to compromise the quality and integrity of their product. The key to the Bud Trimmers superiority, is that it allows the user to adjust the way in which it Trims, for wet and dry product, as well as different strains, sizes, and growing methods. The Bud Trimmer is not only quiet, lightweight, and filters your Trim, it has the following unique adjustable controls, that make it second to none: Bud Movement, rotation and separation, Wet and Dry Trimming, batch time, and Trim Collection
Key Features:
Trims 1 pound in 1 minute
Preserves the shape of your flower
Saves your smalls
Reduces touch-up due to batch time control
Filters and separates your trim
1 person can easily operate 4 Bud Trimmers
BUD MOVEMENT THROUGH AIRFLOW AND SUCTION
The Bud Trimmer has a fan blade directly below the cutting blade that does several things. First, the fan blade creates suction to pull the leaf down through the grate and into the filtration bags. Second, it creates a controllable vortex of air that assists in moving and dispersing the product along the grate as it’s Trimmed. Lastly, it agitates the clipped leaf in the filtration bags, helping to remove the trichomes as they are filtered through the bags. The suction and airflow created by the fan blade is controlled using the airflow controller and by the two inner lids on the top of the machine. Adjusting the airflow properly is key to achieving an efficient Trim cycle and eliminating potential damage. The two inner lids can be opened or closed, to increase or decrease air flow and suction. With one or both inner lids open, the suction will increase, and the airflow will decrease. This allows you to create stronger airflow for the movement of wet or heavier product or less airflow, and more suction, for slowing down the movement of dry or delicate product. The airflow controller is used to prop open the back inner lid, allowing you to fine tune the amount of airflow and suction. Adjust the airflow controller according to the strain, size, and density of the wet or dried product. The air flow is considered properly adjusted when it predominately moves the product around the grate, while still allowing the silicone fingers to separate and roll the product. Properly adjusting the airflow and suction eliminates excessive handling and friction.
BUD ROTATION AND SEPARATION
The rotating soft silicone fingers are used to help separate and roll the product along the grate. Both the direction and speed can be controlled. Slowing down the fingers will minimize agitation on delicate product, while running the fingers on higher speeds, or in reverse – which is the opposite direction of the airflow, can create more agitation, and quicker Trim cycles. The goal is to adjust the fingers, and the airflow, so that the product is being moved by the air, then rolled and separated by the fingers. Wet Buds, and specific dry strains, require more agitation than others, and thus, require the fingers to be run at higher speeds. Typically, we recommend that you run the fingers in the forward direction, and at higher speeds. Again, this is something you will want to adjust based on whether you are Trimming wet or dry product, as well as for different strains and densities. Properly adjusting the rotation and separation will reduce batch times.
WET AND DRY TRIMMING MODES USING THE CUTTING BLADE
PROPERLY ADJUSTING THE CUTTING BLADE AND IMPLEMENTING THE GRATES FOR WET AND DRIED PRODUCT WILL ENSURE A QUALITY Trim, WITHOUT EFFECTING THE STRUCTURE OF THE Buds.
Wet and Dry Grates:
To accommodate Trimming both wet and dried Buds, the Bud Trimmer comes standard with a dry grate. The surface of the grates have openings that allow the suction to pull the leaves down through the grate, and then into the Trim collection bags. The size of the openings is larger for wet Trimming and smaller for dry Trimming. The dry grate with smaller openings ensures that dried Buds do not break apart or fall through the grate during Trimming. The wet grate, with the larger openings, ensures that the leaves of fresh Buds pass through the openings and receive a close Trim from the cutting blade. Please let us know if you plan on wet trimming so we can supply the proper grate, or feel free to order it additionally.
Cutting Blade:
The cutting blade can be raised and lowered to accommodate Trimming. The cutting blade needs to be raised to its closest point for wet Trimming and dry Trimming. As with all dry Trimmers, the leaves are predominantly Trimmed by way of friction and agitation and not by a cutting blade. When dry Trimming, the cutting blade only Trims the Buds stems, crows’ feet and a small amount of leaf.
BATCH TIME
Controlling the amount of time, the Buds are in the Trimmer is imperative to producing quality results. With other Trimmers, you put the product in one end, and then you don’t really know how well it has been Trimmed until it comes out the other end. The Bud Trimmer allows you to watch the product as it is being Trimmed and adjust cycle times based on what you see during each batch. Every strain and batch are different, so it is important to adjust accordingly. Proper batch time control ensures that Buds do not get over or under Trimmed.
Additionally, because the machine is trimming 1 pound in 1 minute, the rate of production is equivalent if not slightly faster than tunnel style trimmers. When the Satellite is running at full capacity and without interruption, the through put can be nearly 60lbs per hour with one unit. No other trimmer has a throughput vs. cost of machine like the Satellite.
TRIM COLLECTION AND FILTRATION
Our patented and unique filtration system comes with four collection bags with varying micron levels for separating and collecting the leaf as it’s Trimmed. The first bag collects the larger leaf and stem, containing and separating the heavier chlorophyll-based product. The second bag collects your sweet leaf and is excellent for extraction and pre-rolls. The third bag is your B grade keif, and the fourth bag is your A grade keif. Separating the Trim and keif, can create more control over potency levels when extracting. These bags can also be utilized as a dry sifter. Properly utilizing the Trim collection will eliminate waste, improve potency and profitability of your concentrates. Optionally, you can use just the 1st bag and 4th bag and allow the sugar Trim and keif to collect in the same bag.
HOW TO ASSEMBLE
1.Remove plastic and cut banding to remove box from pallet
2.Remove the chute, stand, drum with motor assembly, and filtration bags from the box
3.Unlatch the outer lids and remove the drum knobs and maintenance kit
4.Remove the plastic protection from both sides of the lids and fasten the draw latches
5.If Trimming wet or dry be sure to check that the correct grate is installed, the grate is labeled on the top front
6.With the drum on the ground and the stand tilted on its side, align the stand side plates with the drum side mounts and lock the casters on the stand
7.Insert the 2 drum knobs into the holes of the stand side plates and screw into the drum side mounts (Do not tighten yet)
8.Grab the drum knobs and drum and lift the drum until the stand is underneath
9.Secure the drum knobs and engage the plunge pins
10.Dial in the blade (Please reference the steps below for dialing in the blade)
11.Disengage the plunge pins and loosen the drum knobs 2-3 turns
12.Rotate the drum upside down and tighten the knobs
13.Install the four filtration bags by stretching them around the bottom of the drum and above the link lock latches starting with bag #1 (the bags have number tags at the top of one of the side hems, keep the bags inside out)
14.Loosen the drum knobs, rotate the unit back to upright, tighten the drum knobs and engage the plunge pins
15.Slide the Bud collection chute into the guides on the front of the machine
16.Place a collection bucket or bin below the chute (optionally install the supplied chute sock on the bottom of the chute, open the bottom chute flap and sleeve the chute sock elastic up and around the bottom of the chute)
17.Plug in the jumper power cord from the control box into the main motor junction box cord
18.Plug the units main power cord into a 120 VAC power outlet
19.The Bud Trimmer is ready for use
HOW TO DIAL IN THE CUTTING BLADE
1.This is something you want to preferably do before attaching the collection bags; however, you can make fine tune adjustments even after attaching the collection bags
2.There are 4 blade height adjustment knobs on the motor assembly that we use to raise and lower the cutting blade, for most strains we will adjust the cutting blade as close as we can to the bottom of the grate, for strains that have long nodes and or pistols we may need to back the blade down slightly to ensure we avoid damaging the Bud
3.We want to start the adjustment process by inspecting the distance between the blade and grate and ensuring that the blade is approximately 1/8” away from the grate, make sure that the gapping is consistent around the circumference of the grate
4.Start by opening the inner lids and turning the main motor on
5.We’ll raise the blade by turning the knobs counterclockwise (when looking down from the top of the unit), we want to make sure we do it evenly, a couple of turns on the front 2 knobs and then a couple of turns on the back 2 knobs, we will repeat this process until we make very slight contact with the bottom of the grate, once contact has been made, back that knob down ¼ turn, repeat this process, front to back several times, If at any time through the Trimming process you hear the blade start to rub against the grate simply back the knob down ¼ turn at the contact point
6.Close the 2 inner lids and ensure that the blade is not rubbing against the grate when the lids are closed, turn the main motor off and inspect the gapping between the blade and the grate ensure that it is consistent at all four adjustability points and around the circumference of the grate
7.Always ensure there is a green felt pad (extras can be found with the tool kit) on top of the cutting blade prior to dialing in the blade and before Trimming
8.The felt pad supports the grate while Trimming and ensures that the blade and grate do not rub in the center
9.Replace the felt pad often and as needed or when warn
TOP 5 TIPS FOR TRIMMING
DO THE FOLLOWING TO ELIMINATE TOUCH UP, SAVE YOUR SMALLS AND MAINTAIN BUD STRUCTURE
REMOVE ALL FAN LEAVES with exposed stems
INDIVIDUALIZE ALL BUDS and trim stem to less than ¼”
DRY ALL BUDS completely and consistently
CONSISTENT DRYNESS FROM SMALL BUDS TO LARGE BUDS IS THE KEY TO ELIMINATING TOUCH UP AFTER TRIMMING
If more than 30% of the buds must be touched up after trimming the leaves are not consistently dry or dry enough
Storing buds in large totes will cause the buds on the top to be drier than the buds on the bottom
If possible, pre-cure buds in long, wide and shallow containers, with the lids cracked or open prior to trimming
Check dryness by rubbing two buds together or by flicking the leaves with your finger, if the leaf or stem bends and doesn’t snap, it is not dry enough
TRIM 1 POUND FOR 1 MINUTE
Load 456g into the machine and allow the product to trim for around 1 minute
If the product is not trimmed after 1 minute, it is not consistently dry or dry enough
Use the inner lids to control the amount of airflow moving the product
Use forward and reverse on the fingers to control the amount of agitation
Empty the filtration bags frequently and clean with wet/dry vac or air compressor
Please call us! We are happy to help. (303) 489-3228
IF THE MACHINE ISN’T WORKING, IT IS NOT THE MACHINE! IT IS THE PROCESS OR THE PRODUCT AND WE CAN HELP!
HOW TO TRIM
TRIMMING INSTRUCTIONS:
1.To start Trimming, turn on the main motor, then set the brushes to forward and adjust the speed to high or your preferred setting
2.Changing the speed and or direction of the brushes will affect the amount of agitation to the product, different strains require different amount of agitation, find a setting that works best for each strain, we recommend starting on forward and fast
3.Place roughly 450 grams of Buds into the machine, the amount of product should fill up the shoot when Trimming is complete
4.Use the air flow controller and lids to adjust the amount of suction and vortex inside the drum, with popcorn buds or lighter strains you may need to run the entire cycle with one or both inner lids open, with dense or heavier strains you may need to run the entire cycle with both inner lids closed, find the amount of airflow that works best for each strain, we recommend starting with the inner lids closed or with the back lid cracked
5.Allow the product to Trim for 30 – 60 seconds depending on the strain, when the product is done Trimming, tilt the drum down, open the drum gate, turn the rotor motor to forward and allow the product to exit into the chute, opening and closing the back inner lid will speed up this process
6.When the drum is empty, close the drum gate, tilt the drum upright, and reload the machine
7.While the next batch is running, open the chute gate and allow the product to empty into an appropriate container.
8.Optionally – install the chute sock around the base of the chute to avoid having to open and close the chute hatch when emptying
9.AVERAGE THROUGHPUT for every Bud Trimmer should be 30 – 60LBS per hour of dried finished bud
TIPS AND TRICKS:
1.Clean filtration bags and motor cover often to avoid residue
2.Thoroughly cleaning the machines after EACH use is imperative to longevity and producing a quality product over time.
3.Ensure the product is dry enough for Dry Trimming (leaves should snap when disturbed)
4.Ensure the product is super fresh for wet Trimming (leaves should be sticking out from the buds and not curled in)
5.Adjust airflow with inner lids open and closed to optimize internal flow rate
6.Adjust rotor speed and direction to optimize Trim cycle
7.BE SURE TO UTILIZE THE DRY TRIMMING GRATE WHEN DRY TRIMMING AND THE WET GRATE WHEN WET TRIMMING
8.Proper preparation is key – individualize all Buds, remove all fan leaves and keep no more than an 1/4 “of stem at the base of the Buds
9.If the product isn’t Trimmed in under a minute when dry trimming, the product is too wet
If the product is still too wet and it is time to Trim, open containers the product is being stored in and increase airflow on the product
HOW TO USE & MAINTAIN THE FILTRATION BAGS
The filtration bags are used to catch and separate the fan leaves and stem from the sugar leaf and keif. The leaf is pulled down through the grate and through the 4 filtration bags by the fan on the main motor. Because proper airflow is critical in this process, IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE BAGS AND MOTOR COVER CLEAN. The following are tips and tricks for using and maintaining the filtration bags and motor cover:
FILTRATION BAGS
1.When installing the filtration bags be sure to install the #1 bag (large openings) first, the bags should sit directly above the link lock latches and around the base of the drum
2.Install bags 2, 3 then 4 in the same manner
3.Install the filtration bags with the hem side out (inside out), this inhibits build-up in the hem and makes them easier to clean
4.Empty the filtration bags often while Trimming and prior to the first bag being overfilled
5.To clean and empty the filtration bags during the Trimming process
1.place a container below the bags
2.remove the bags from the Trimmer
3.empty one by one, starting with bag #1, into a separate container,
4.Using your hands, rub the material together to quickly clean
5.Use an air compressor or wet dry vacuum to blow or suck out the debris
6.To clean the filtration bags and motor cover after Trimming:
1.Using a 50-gallon drum, garbage can or the Trimmer drum, pull the filtration bag around the drum until it conforms around it
2.Spray the filtration bag with Denatured alcohol or heavy duty simple green and spray clean using a pressure washer or high-pressure hose
3.Inside out the bag and repeat the cleaning process
Note: You can optionally take the bags to the laundromat to clean, but If doing so, be sure the bags are free of loose debris and do not run the wash and dry cycles on HOT
MOTOR COVER
1.To remove the motor cover, uninstall the cutting blade and fan blade
2.Clean the motor cover by soaking and spraying clean
3.CLEAN THE MOTOR COVER OFTEN TO AVOID DAMAGING THE MOTOR
4.Reinstall the motor cover hem side out (inside out), be sure that it is properly seated around the base of the motor
HOW TO REMOVE THE MAIN MOTOR
1.Unplug the power chord from power source
2.Unplug the JUMPER power cord that connects the control box to the main motor box
3.Remove the filtration bags
4.Ensure all 6 lid latches are fastened
5.Disengage the plunge pins, loosen the drum knobs, rotate the drum upside down and tighten the drum knobs
6.Unlatch the 4 link lock latches holding the motor assembly
7.Grabbing the motor plate pull up and wiggle the motor assembly out of the drum
8.If removal is difficult tap each motor bracket from underneath to free it from the drum, prior to grabbing the motor plate
9.Once the motor assembly is free, place it blade side up with Adjustment knobs down on a flat surface
10.You can now service the motor assembly components
11.To reinstall the motor assembly, grab the motor by the motor plate lower the assembly into the drum
12.Be sure to align the 4 adjustment brackets with the 4 link lock latches on the outside of the drum
13.Latch the 4 link lock latches ensuring they are locked and that the adjustment brackets are seated tightly to the bottom of the drum
14.Occasionally oil and inspect the link lock latches, the blade adjustment knobs and the adjustment brackets
HOW TO SHARPEN THE CUTTING BLADE
1.Remove the motor assembly from the drum
2.Using an 1/8” hex head bit remove the 3 blade screws
3.Place the blade on a flat surface
4.Wrap 220 – 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper around a small wooden block, dip into water before starting
5.Sand in line with cutting edge without holding the block too far out over the edge, sand the entire blade
6.Flip the blade over and repeat, Do not roll the edge
7.Wipe the blade clean and place it on the blade hub
8.Install the 3 blade screws, BE SURE NOT TO OVERTIGHTEN TO AVOID STRIPPING
9.Ensure there is a fresh felt pad installed on the top center of the blade
Check the blade for trueness by spinning the blade with your hand and checking for any wobble
Reinstall the motor assembly into the drum
HOW TO REPLACE THE GRATE
1.Remove the motor assembly from the drum
2.With the drum in the upside-down position, unscrew the grate screws
3.Place one hand through the drum gate opening, sandwich the grate with both hands and push the grate up at an angle
4.Place the new grate down in the same manner you removed it
5.Be sure that the label of the gate – “Wet grate or Dry grate” is positioned inside the gate window opening and that all screw holes are positioned over the rubber
6.Reinstall the grate screws and ensure that you do not over tighten them but that the screw heads are completely flush with the grate
7.Reinstall the motor assembly
8.If there is a gap between the drum and the grate at the window gate opening, use a small amount of silicone to seal it
HOW TO REPLACE THE SILICONE FINGERS
1.Ensure the drum knobs are tight
2.Unlatch the front 4 lid draw latches – keep the back 2 latched
3.Rotate the brush arms until the cotter pin tab on the brush plate is facing the front of the drum
4.Open the front outer lid and rotate the control box 90 degrees back – the lid should be stacked in a half moon position on top of the drum
5.Pull out the cotter pin, and grabbing the brush top plate, jiggle and pull the assembly until it is free from the motor shaft
6.To replace the fingers, loosen the set screws on the rotor arm, pull the fingers out, reinstall the new fingers , and tighten the set screws
7.Sleeve the rotor top plate back onto the motor shaft ensuring the holes in the top plate and shaft are aligned
8.Reinstall the cotter pin
9.Rotate the lid and control box back down and secure the lid latches
10.Occasionally oil the brush plate hub and motor shaft to avoid sticking
HOW TO REPLACE THE CONTROL BOX
1.Unplug the power cord from the power supply
2.Unplug the jumper cable connecting the control box and the motor junction box
3.Remove the silicone finger rotor assembly
4.Unscrew the 2 thumb screws on either side of the control box
5.Remove the control box
6.Remove the control box prior to cleaning the lid
HOW TO CLEAN
1.These are the items you will need to perform a proper cleaning
a)Pressure washer
b)Air compressor with air nozzle
c)HD Simple Green (Purple)
d)Denatured alcohol
e)Paper towel or rags
f)hot water heater basin (for soaking)
g)Spray bottles
h)Small soft bristle brush
i)Flat head screwdriver
j)Maintenance kit with Allen keys that came with unit
2.We will start the process by removing the chute, drum gate and lid assembly, rotate the drum upside down unlock 4 latches and remove the motor assembly
3.With the appropriate Allen key remove the 3 screws on top of the cutting blade. Gently set the blade into the bottom of the drum, loosen the 2 set screws on the blade hub and slide the blade hub off of the motor shaft.
4.With a flat head screwdriver remove the 3 screws on the fan blade and set the fan blade into the bottom of the drum
5.Again, using the correct Allen key loosen the set screw on the rotor hub and sleeve the hub off the motor shaft
6.To remove the motor mount brackets, unscrew the blade height adjustment knobs, You can also use a screwdriver to clean out the inside of the knobs
7.Remove the motor cover and place the brackets and motor cover inside of the drum
8.If you have an air compressor and using an air nozzle blow off any loose debris from the components
9.Spray the bottom of the lid plate with heavy duty simple green and scrub the plate using a scotch bright pad and wipe clean, spray the bottom side of the lids with denatured alcohol and wipe clean with paper towels, flip the lid over and repeat the process, It’s important to only use denatured alcohol and paper towels when cleaning the various plastic components, as other cleaners and abrasive pads can cause damage
10.Next, we will clean the top of the lid plate, it’s helpful to use a toothbrush to clean the hard-to-reach areas, now spray, clean and wipe dry the top side of both lids, again using only denatured alcohol and paper towels.
11.Spray the aluminum components on the motor assembly with the heavy duty simple green and using a toothbrush scrub the various parts, wipe clean and dry, flip the unit on its side and repeat the process
12.Spray the chute components with heavy duty simple green and wipe clean
13.Apply the alcohol on the plastic liberally, when cleaning the areas with heavier build-up.
14.If you don’t already have one, we highly recommend Investing in some type of pressure washer. This will enable you to quickly clean the entire unit when you’re finished Trimming, as well as periodically cleaning the blade and grate during the Trim session
a)Pour heavy duty simpler green into a reservoir, one large enough to house the blade and grate for soaking, we recommend using either a plastic or metal water heater tray, fill the rest of the reservoir with water at about a 1 to 15, simple green to water ratio, place the blade, the motor mount brackets and the rotor assembly into the reservoir to soak
b)Now spray the stand, the drum, the fan blade and the top of the rotor assembly with the heavy-duty simple green, the first items we will pressure wash is the bottom side of the drum and grate, ensure that you thoroughly remove all of the build-up, this is always easiest and quickest to do as soon as you’re done Trimming and while the plant material is still fresh, clean and rinse the stand and drum
c)Rotate the drum to the upright position and apply the heavy-duty simple green and spray the drum and grate until clean
d)Walk the unit down to clean the underside of the stand, stand the unit back up, rotate the drum back upside down and give the entire unit a final rinse
e)Spray clean the top and bottom side of the fan blade, spray and clean the rotor assembly, be sure to spray both sides of the fingers as well as the top and bottom, clean the motor mounting brackets, use your foot to stabilize the parts as they’re being sprayed
f)Next, we’ll clean the cutting blade, thoroughly clean the top and bottom side of the blade, Make sure that all of the plant matter has been removed, this part of the process can also be implemented when cleaning just the blade and grate during your Trim session
g)Apply the heavy-duty simple green to the motor cover and spray clean
h)Now we are ready to assemble the unit
i)Start by attaching the rotor hub to the shaft on the motor control box, make sure the set screw is tight and seated properly
j)Attach the motor cover and place the fan blade on the hub, it’s best if you install the fan blade, with the screw hole positioning relative to the motor shaft with a flat head screwdriver install and tighten the 3 screws
k)Sleeve the cutting blade hub over the motor shaft, aligning the 2 set screws with the dimples on the shaft, make sure the set screws are properly seated and tighten firmly
l)Place the cutting blade on the hub and install the screws, it’s very important that you don’t over tighten the cutting blade screws as they will self-tighten due to the rotation of the motor
m)Screw on the motor mount brackets until the bolt is flush with the top of the bracket, repeat the process for all four brackets
n)Be sure to align the junction box on the motor assembly with the x’s on the inside of the drum
o)Reinstall the filtration bags, rotate the drum to the upright position and fasten the lid, Install the drum gate, the chute and you’re ready to go back to Trimming
p)Will clean the filtration bags with the pressure washer, start by wrapping the innermost bag around the outside of the drum, rinse the loose material off with water, spray with some heavy-duty simple green, rinse, flip the bag inside out and rinse again, we will repeat this process for all the filtration bags
q)You’ll want to pressure wash the bags before cleaning the unit to avoid dirtying the drum and stand with the material from the bags
r)When you’re done cleaning the bags, hang them up to dry
s)If you have any questions regarding this process, please don’t hesitate to contact us
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 100 lbs
Ship weight: 150 lbs
Assembled Dimensions: 32″L x 29″W x 42″H
Ship Dimensions: 48″L x 40″W x 36″H
Production (single operator): 30-50 lbs./hr. (Wet trimming in wet weight, dry trimming in dry weight)
Gear Motor; Fuse Holder; AC to DC 5V Power Supply; 4 Channel DC 5V Relay Module; Touch Screen; Motor Speed; Controller; Control Box Microcontroller; 9′ power chord; Meanwell power supply; Main Motor; Capacitor
The Bud Sorter is available in 2 different sizes: The Bud Sorter & The Bud Sorter Mini. The sorters let you accurately, efficiently, and safely sort your buds into shake, popcorn, small, medium, and large buds. Without vibration or moving parts, your buds stay in pristine condition. The Bud Sorter is typically used as a quality control station.
Place roughly 1lb of dried, trimmed buds onto the ¼” grate. Use the soft, food-grade brushes to gently move the product over the different-sized grates, sorting the buds by size.
The Bud Sorter is best used after drying and trimming but before quality control and packaging. Removing the small buds and shake from the QC and touch-up process will significantly improve efficiency.
Sort From Both Sides to Double Productivity
If you only want to remove small buds and shake, you can double your productivity by sorting from both sides. Place a ¼” and ½” grate on both sides of the Bud Sorter and brush your product into the center bin.
Doubles as a Work Surface
When you are done sorting, place the lower shelf on top of the Bud Sorter to create another work surface for your trim room.
Additional grates can be custom made to your preferred size.
The Bud Sorter Sorting Grate Sizes come standard in the following sizes (custom sizes can be made in 1/8” increments): 1/4”, ½”, 3/4”, 1”, 1 1/4”
The Bud Sorter Mini Sorting Grate Sizes come standard in the following sizes (custom sizes can be made in 1/8” increments): 1/4”, ½”, 3/4”
ASSEMBLY & OPERATION
ASSEMBLY
1.The first step for both the Bud Sorter and The Bud Sorter Mini is to unwrap the protective plastic from the unit, cut the banding and remove the unit or parts from the pallet
3.The Bud Sorter Mini comes fully assembled – all that is required is to place the 4 totes under each grate and at the end of the sorter
OPERATION
Load product onto the first grate in the sequence
Brush product back and forth and down the grates until all product has fallen into the containers
If you only want to remove small buds and shake, you can double your productivity by sorting from both sides. Place a ¼” and ½” grate on both sides of the Bud Sorter and brush your product into the center bin.
Average throughput for every Sorter should be 40,000 grams (88 LBS) per hour of dried finished Bud
TIPS AND TRICKS
1.Brush product back and forth on the grates a couple of times before moving on to improve results
2.Use the Bud Sorter as your Quality control station
3.Place the shelf of the Bud Sorter on the top of the table as a work surface when not using it to sort
CLEANING & SPECIFICATIONS:
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
1.Wipe down with denatured alcohol and a rag
2.If you have a pressure washer, you can use it for a quick rinse or to make your wipe down easier
HOW IT WORKS | ASSEMBLY | OPERATION | SPECIFICATIONS
HOW IT WORKS & OPERATION
The Bud Shaker Box works by nesting the top 1/2″ container within the 3/16″ Slot container and then nesting the 3/16″ slot container within the non slotted container. After nesting the containers place your assorted buds and trim into the top container and shake the container side to side to facilitate the separation of the popcorn and trim from the larger buds
ASSEMBLY
1.The Bud Shaker Box comes fully assembled
CLEAN
Clean with denatured or isopropyl alcohol and a rag
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 5 lbs.
Ship weight: 10 lbs.
Assembled Dimensions: 21″L x 12″W x 10″H
Ship Dimensions: 32″L x 32″W x 48″H
Production (single operator): 1 plant / 30 Seconds
The Wander Trimmer provides the perfect combination of hand trimming precision with the efficiency of a trimming machine. It is a wet trimmer that allows you to trim up to 1 pound an hour (dry weight), will not damage your flower, collects all of your trim for processing, and still allows you to hang dry your plants.
The vacuum creates a suction that pulls the leaf away from the undisturbed flower and into the cutting slot, where the blade spins and cuts. Your undamaged, trimmed leaf is deposited into your bucket head shop vac for easy processing. The Wander Trimmer provides a tight, consistent cut without nicking your flowers.
HAND TRIM QUALITY
Trimming with the Wander Trimmer truly is hand trimming. Like scissors, the Wander Trimmer gives you complete control of the cutting slot, allowing you to trim your leaf without damaging your flowers. Instead of bringing your cutting blade to the leaf, the Wander Trimmer brings the leaf to your cutting blade, significantly increasing the speed and quality of your trim.
ELEMENTS OF CONTROL
Suction – The Wander Trimmer comes with a vacuum speed control that can be dialed up or down depending on the size of flowers you trim. For smaller flowers, you may want lower suction to prevent the flowers from being pulled off the stem. On the other hand, you may want to increase suction to quickly pull the leaf into the cutting slot for larger flowers, increasing your efficiency.
HOW TO ASSEMBLE
1.Remove the toolbox from the box
2.Remove the wand, motor, vacuum hose, vacuum suction controller and Velcro straps from the toolbox
3.Place the motor at one end of the table (on the right side if you are right-handed and the left side if you are left-handed)
4.Attach the wand to the end of the flex shaft cable by aligning the keyed end of the cable with the key at the base of the wand in the drive hub housing
5.Rotate the wand without pressing in to assist the keys alignment
6.Once the keys are aligned, continue rotating and press the wand down on the flex shaft until it clicks (the wand should rotate freely when it is connected to the cable)
7.Install the open end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum hose attachment on the wand (the first few times may take a little more effort)
8.Lay the vacuum hose along side the flex shaft cable and attach it to the flex shaft cable using the provided Velcro straps, attach a Velcro strap every 8-10 inches (zip ties can also be used)
9.Attach the other end of the vacuum to the hose on the wet/dry vacuum
Plug the vacuum power cord into the vacuum suction controller (do not plug the wand motor into the vacuum suction controller)
Plug the wand power cord into the back of the motor control box and into a power source
Open the sponges and place them in the rectangular compartments atop the toolbox
Fill one of the rectangular compartments with the sponge with water until the sponge has absorbed the water and the reservoir is half full (this moist sponge will be used to lubricate the inside of the wand while trimming helping to reduce build up)
Moisten the second sponge, this sponge will be used to clean the outside of the wand tube near the cutting slot
Optionally you can purchase a small crock pot and fill it with water and heat the water (the crock pot can be used to dip the wand in while trimming to clean the internal build up)
The Wander Trimmer is now ready for use
Disassemble the Wand
Unscrew the idle hub housing (cap)
Unscrew the handle
Unscrew the driver hub housing
Slide the cutting blade out of the wand tube
Slide off the bearings from the hubs
Pull out the idle hub and driver hub
Remove the vacuum hose attachment by loosening the set screw and slide off (do not over tighten the set screw)
Reverse a-g to reassemble
HOW TO OPERATE
a.It’s important to have a workspace that will accommodate the components as well as allow you to keep the flex shaft cable and vacuum hose straight as you’re trimming both for ergonomics as well as minimizing friction within the flex shaft.
b.We first want to prep the plants for trimming. First remove the main branches from the stock, next individualize the stems from the main branch. i. Now we will remove the fan or water leaves. This is typically easiest and quickest to do by hand and simply pulling the leaves down against the grain or plucking them out of the flowers.
c.Now that we have our material prepped and stems individualized, take a cup of water and start to fill the reservoir atop the toolbox, saturating the first sponge and continue to fill the reservoir until it’s about ¾ full. The saturated sponge will be used to lubricate the wand as we are trimming. Dampen the second sponge we will use this sponge for cleaning the outside of the wand.
d.For more information on the wand components and assembly please watch the wand assembly video. The cutting blade sleeves inside the tube and is off set from the center. This creates relief around the cutting blade, allowing the leaf matter to freely pass through the tube and into the vacuum hose. The blade is only tight to the tube at the cutting slot i. Overtime build up will start to occur inside of the tube. To ensure an efficient trim session there a couple of methods we use to keep the inside of the tube clean. ii. The first method is to give the wand a quick and light tap on the saturated sponge; this allows the suction to draw in a very small amount of moisture and helps to slow down the buildup process. Be sure to implement the sponge tap every few branches or so.
e.Secondly, every 45 minutes to an hour depending on the strain, we will turn of the vacuum and with the motor running dip the wand into the crock pot. The current from the water will help clean out the inside of the tube. Turn the motor off and allow the water to drain from the wand through the hole in the cap.
f.The last thing we will want to address as we trim is the buildup that will occur on the outside of the tube, turn the motor off and using the semi abrasive side of the damp sponge wipe off the buildup on the outside of the tube. This is something you will want to do throughout the trim session. It only takes a few seconds but will increase your efficiency tremendously.
g.Now we are ready to start trimming. Turn on the motor and adjust the speed control to just above medium. Turn on the vacuum suction control and adjust the suction in between medium and high. You may need to turn the motor up for really sticky strains and turn the suction down for the smaller and more delicate strains. However, we recommend starting off with the motor on medium and the suction between medium and high
h.As far as approaching the flower with the wand, we want to catch the leaf at the tip and allow the suction to pull the leaf into the cutting slot. This is easiest to do with a quick and light tapping, in a circular motion, like you are peeling a potato. As you become more comfortable with this technique, and the wand, the action can be sped up quite a bit and ultimately give you a 60-70% faster trim time over scissors.
a.The wand is most effective when you trim the flowers wet and although the wand does allow you to trim after the flowers are slightly wilted, it’s much more efficient when they are fresh, and the leaves are sticking out.
b.As you hold onto the stem slowly rotate the flower as you quickly and lightly tap it with the wand. Bend the flower away from the stem to trim the harder to reach areas.
c.It helps to rest the flowers and the base of the wand on your work surface as you trim.
d.To remove crow’s feet or leaves at the base of the flowers, simply follow the leaf in from the tip and rotate the wand in.
e.Adjusting the suction and cutting blade speed to accommodate the size and density of the strain, will give you the control to trim precisely and quickly without damaging your product.
f.If you have another set of hands, it’s best if one person preps the plants while the other trims
g.Just remember give the wand an occasional crock pot dip, keep the outside of the tube clean and consistently tap the wand on the sponge.
h.When you’re done trimming or it’s time to take a break. Hang your product to dry and empty out the clipped leaf from the vacuum. It’s important not to let the clipped leaf overfill or sit in the vacuum for long periods of time. Simply empty out the vacuum and spread very thin over cardboard or some other material that will help wick away the moisture.
i.If you are going to start trimming again and before you take your break, we want to quickly clean the main wand components. This is easiest to do as soon as you’re done trimming and while the plant matter is still fresh. Disassemble the wand and using the tube brush scrub the inside of the tube. Push a paper towel through the tube to remove any degree then wipe off the tube and vacuum connect. Next, we will clean the blade. Be sure that you have thoroughly cleaned both the blade and tube and that all of the plant matter has been removed. Reassemble the wand and you’re ready to start trimming again.
j.It’s important to clean the entire unit after each use. This is also easiest to do if you clean the unit as soon as you’re done trimming and while the plant matter is still fresh. Please watch our Wand cleaning videos for more information.
Tips and Tricks
Keep the outside of the tube clean by wiping off periodically with the semi abrasive side of the damp sponge
Tap the wand ever so lightly on the wet sponge to keep the inside of the tube lubricated
Clean before the buildup dries
Purchase an extra tube, blade or complete wand assembly for a quick swap out while the other soaks
HOW TO CLEAN
Items you will need to perform a proper cleaning: 2 containers, HD simple green (purple), Denatured alcohol, Tube brush, Sponge, Paper towel or rags
We recommend using 2 containers, 1 for soaking and the other for rinsing, as well as a toothbrush for cleaning the wand.
Start by filling the first container with some heavy-duty simple green, fill the second container with water as it will be used for rinsing. d. Disassemble the wand.
If the blade is stuck inside of the tube because it had not been cleaned right after use, soak the tube and blade in some water and then using the driver hub and a hard surface, push the blade up through the tube and slide the blade out. Be sure to never use any tools to remove the blade. i. Loosen the set screw on the vacuum hose attachment and place all of the wand components, excluding the bearings, inside of the simple green solution to soak.
While the wand parts are soaking, spray and wipe clean the other components. Alcohol can be used to clean the toolbox and motor control box. However, never use alcohol when cleaning the wand.
Now using a sponge and paper towel thoroughly clean, and wipe dry the bearings.
Next, we will clean the main tube. Scrub the inside of the tube with tube brush. You can also use a toothbrush and implement both the bristle side as well as the plastic side to remove any stubborn build up. Scrub the outside of the tube. Rinse the tube in water, push a paper towel through the inside of the tube and wipe dry.
Now we will clean the blade. Using the tube brush and or the toothbrush thoroughly remove all of the buildup on the inside and outside of the blade. Rinse and wipe dry.
Clean the vacuum hose connect and the driver hub housing. Be sure to clean the threads on all of the wand components.
When you have all of the parts cleaned, rinsed and dried, reassemble the wand. Make sure you don’t over tighten the set screw on the vacuum hose attachment. Turn the unit on and verify that it is operating correctly.
Now, Rinse out the sponges and the tube brush.
To clean the vacuum hose, coil it in the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket. If using the bucket head, coil its hose on top. Add simple green and water at about a 1 to 12 ratio. After soaking, Rinse the hoses out with a garden hose or pressure washer.
It’s also important to keep the vacuum you are using clean and free of mold. Be sure to disinfect and wipe clean periodically. We also recommend that you replace the vacuum filter as necessary.
The last thing to do is pack the unit back into the toolbox. Place the motor inside the main compartment; tuck the hose under the flex shaft cable and along the side of the motor box. Coil the rest of the hose around the motor. Place the vacuum hose adapter, the vacuum suction control and the main motor power cord inside of the toolbox. Place the wand and cleaning tube on the tray. The sponges, Velcro and Allen key are stored in the top compartments. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Specification
Weight – 30 lbs
Ship Weight – 40 lbs
Assembled Dimensions – 20”L x 20”W x 10”H
Ship Dimensions – 20”L x 20”W x 10”H s.
Production (Single Operator) – 1 lb. / 1-hour dried weight
HOW IT WORKS | ASSEMBLY | OPERATION | SPECIFICATIONS
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The Trim Pen allows you to artistically manicure your buds without the pain that comes from using scissors.
The Trim Pen is like having 4 scissors tips at your fingertips.
The Trim Pen cannot cut your finger or miss cut your buds.
The Trim Pen will double your productivity while giving 100% precision and accuracy.
The Trim Pen comes with two batteries that can continually trim for 4 hours before requiring charging.
ASSEMBLY
The Trim Pen comes fully assembled
HOW IT WORKS:
The Patented technology of the Trim Pen works by utilizing a spinning blade inside of the trim pick. Gently press the on/off button and The high torque geared motor allows the user to trim leaf and stem with ease.
The Trim Pen virtually self cleans by dipping the pick and blade into alcohol and running the blade.
All the Trim Pen parts are simple to replace and service. Simply unscrew the cone and pick or end cap and replace or service parts as needed.
CLEAN
Clean with denatured or isopropyl alcohol and a rag
Onsite Consulting: A la carte $2000 in Colorado, $5000 in continental US, $8000 in Canada, Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii, $10000 in Europe and the Caribbean.
Project Management: Free or significantly discounted for clients who purchase at least $100,000 worth of our products
Call Sales @ (720) 520-2687
SHIPPING
Lead times are generally 5-7 days
Shipping days are generally Tuesday & Thursday.
We can only expedite parts shipments. They are shipped via FedEx.
Complete units are shipped via various freight companies.
Freight shipments cannot be expedited, but you may guarantee the estimated delivery date for a small fee.
Call Sales @ (720) 520-2687
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Need help operating, assembling, maintaining or assistance choosing the proper replacement part(s)
Call our shop @ (303) 489-3228
SALES
Learn about our products & services, discuss your order with our sales director, or submit a wholesale inquiry
