That Quail Place Forum

Raising Gamebirds => Incubation => Topic started by: Gunner63 on September 10, 2007, 06:00:06 PM

Title: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 10, 2007, 06:00:06 PM
I have someone that wants me to come get a Sears & Roebuck Super hatcher.  I was wondering if anyone was familiar with these.  He says it works, holds 600 chicken eggs.  I have scoured the web only to find a picture of just a catalog ad from 1953.  Its about 200 miles roundtrip to get this baby, and was wondering if I should just save the pennys for a 1502 this fall or spend the gas money and go get it?

Bill
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 10, 2007, 06:11:57 PM
I don't know anything about them, but I do know that I'd be on the road to go get it!  :wink:  Of course, what does "works" mean?  I've seen furnaces that "worked", but the outer case was completely rusted away and the only thing holding what was left up was the fan cage resting on the ground! 
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 16, 2007, 11:06:40 AM
Well I went and got this baby.  What a gem everything electrical seems to be working okay, I will take and post some pics soon,  I cant find any info online, so I might need some explanation on the electrical system for us electrically challenged.  It has a wafer thermo, and was wondering if an elctronic thermo can be installed in its place.  Pics coming soon.

Bill
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 16, 2007, 11:58:57 AM
See if this will help you out any?:

https://www.gqfmfg.com/pdf/THERMOSTAT%20WIRING.pdf

Take note of the warnings that incorrect wiring will destroy the electronic thermostat.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 07:03:38 AM
Heres a few pics of the baby.  Everything seems to be operational.  I will have to play with the wafer to see if it is going to hold temp  its been sitting at 102 for 8 hours now.  The hygrometer/thermometer will be replaced and a little work to the humidity pan.  I do have one question, the fan has a vent opening which has been almost shut, when / do I need to increase the size of the intake airhole?

Bill
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 07:17:25 AM
Rest of the pics
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 07:22:49 AM
pics
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 07:24:38 AM
pic
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 07:25:20 AM
pic
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: WHITNEYPLU on September 17, 2007, 08:44:22 AM
A lady I do plumbing work has that exact hatcher and has the best hatches I have ever seen. She uses it as an incubator as well by just hand turning them 3 times a day. She gets a 100% hatches most the time (after culling the infertile eggs after day 10). By being wood it holds humidity really well and also the temp. The drive was very well worth it in my opinion, very nice find. :laugh:
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 17, 2007, 09:10:53 AM
I'd get rid of it if I where you.  Looks to be infested with termites and that dreaded varnish that is known to carry all sorts of avian diseases. Not to mention all the PCB's in the controls. :eek:

Tell ya what........I'll trade ya a GQF Super Duper Deluxe 12-0-something ratite hatcher and a Ultra Collapsable XR brooder, 2-door, recently rebuilt, with a new element  for it?...............even up!!!

:grin:


Very nice.  I'd have to set that up in my living room. :wink:

Thanks for the pics.


Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 09:29:53 AM
The better half says incubator???  I was thinking more along the lines of using it as the kitchen table.  Just throw a few bar stools around it.
  Its been holding a pretty good constant 100 right now.  The old cord though kinda scares me, cant find any frays.  I would imagine those heater coils will keep the local power company happy LOL  I like that simplistic turning system, just pull or push in the screens on the trays. 
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 17, 2007, 09:37:53 AM
I don't know how that thing is wired.......but.......I did notice the low voltage transformer mounted beside the thermostat.  That could change things alot as far as installing a electronic thermostat.  There appears to be some sort of contactor in there that the transformer is operating?  My guess would be that the low voltage is just run through the thermostat to keep the load from the higher voltage from running through the thermostat switch.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 10:45:31 AM
Gave it a good cleaning this morning, dissenfected everything from head to toe. Momma even broke out the Pledge for the outside.  Even if it didnt function, this thing sure is an epample of workmanship and beauty.  Its hard to show how deeply colored the wood is especially now that is been rubbed.  Set a butter bowl of water in it to see where are moisture level will be.  I am betting its going to take a few to re-hydrate the wood.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 17, 2007, 02:42:56 PM
Does anyone know where if at all possible I could get some instructions for this thing, I know its a long shot, but I cannot find anything related to instructions for this on the web.  I would be happy with just photocopied or scanned copies if possible.

Thanks
Bill
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 17, 2007, 11:07:32 PM
Does anyone know where if at all possible I could get some instructions for this thing, I know its a long shot, but I cannot find anything related to instructions for this on the web.  I would be happy with just photocopied or scanned copies if possible.

Thanks
Bill

Hopefully you'll find an owners manual, but it will probably cost you $800-$1200, so I'm thinkin' that you'd be better off to except my offer (my hatcher has manuals too) and get rid of that thing before you get in too deep!  :grin:

You should be able to call Sears and mention the model number to get a owners manual for it, just like it says on the tag?   :wink:

Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: wildergamebirds on September 18, 2007, 08:34:58 PM
  It looks a lot like my Leahy Favorite, which is an incubator, with six trays, and a lever for hand turning (tilting).  There were probably a dozen brands that look similar, which were built from the 20s through the 50s I believe mine is from the 30s.

  As far as instructions, I doubt they would be that helpful.  Nostalgia value would be great.  I've seen many brocures, and manuals on ebay, while searching for incubators.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 27, 2007, 07:26:45 PM
Well, we have fired the old girl up and after some experimentation, on the humidity and temp, we loaded it up with 600 cortunix eggs and around 120 chicken eggs as to hatch around the same time.  She's been holding 99.5-99.9 degrees and relative humidity of 55-61% for the past 9 days.  So far so good, yeah I know it aint quite the ease of a GQF, but it sure is an amazing machine for being I would guess over 50 years old.  Something nostalgic about opening that old latched door and pulling or pushing in the tray screen to turn the eggs.  Hopefully the namesake Super Hatcher holds true in 12 days when the peeps are expected to arrive.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: CharlieHorse on September 28, 2007, 08:03:53 AM
Sounds great. :grin:

I still think that you should have accepted my offer!  :x   
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 28, 2007, 08:26:59 AM
Hey Gunner63,

Post a picture of that old beast.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 28, 2007, 02:50:01 PM
Steve, I got pics posted on page 1 of this thread, if you cant view let me know and I will send you a pic.  I will post some pics of the hatch when the time gets here.

Bill
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on September 28, 2007, 04:43:55 PM
Wow, that is a sweet find. Is the cabinet cedar? The Humidaire that I have is a cedar cabinet and polishes up very nice with pledge also.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on September 29, 2007, 03:17:51 PM
yep Steve, its a nice dark cedar that shines real well with pledge.  I took out the original thermometer/wet bulb and put in a digital thermo/hygrometer and its fits nicely on the door.  Someone really took care of this, hardly any blemishes or scratches to the wood.  Again the better half says "Wouldnt it make an nice table and bar storage"  LOL
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Reeves on September 29, 2007, 04:25:19 PM
Quote
Again the better half says "Wouldnt it make an nice table and bar storage"

They are always think'n, eh !  :laugh:
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Pheasant Hollow Farm on October 03, 2007, 04:38:04 PM
yep Steve, its a nice dark cedar that shines real well with pledge.  I took out the original thermometer/wet bulb and put in a digital thermo/hygrometer and its fits nicely on the door.  Someone really took care of this, hardly any blemishes or scratches to the wood.  Again the better half says "Wouldnt it make an nice table and bar storage"  LOL

Gunner,

What is the height ? My Humidaire is better then 4 foot tall. Even with a bar stool it would be to high.

Steve
Pheasant Hollow Farm
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on October 03, 2007, 05:28:30 PM
LOL  I have pointed that out on a couple of occasions, she says something as nice looking as that, one shouldnt worry about finding a place to put your knees. 
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: wildergamebirds on October 03, 2007, 10:34:04 PM
LOL  I have pointed that out on a couple of occasions, she says something as nice looking as that, one shouldnt worry about finding a place to put your knees. 

  Actually, there are a lot of table-like incubators (usually kerosene heated) that would be much better suited to her needs.  Check ebay.  Many go pretty cheap, but if you don't find one within driving distance cost can more than double.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on October 03, 2007, 11:19:09 PM
Yes, we have seen those.  Currently theres a David Bradley ( I am thinking along the lines of a tractor brand here) that is listed, that about a 2 hour drive away.  If it runs anything like this one, it might be worth the drive.  Very similar looking to this one that holds 600 eggs while that holds 400.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher/THE HATCH IS ON
Post by: Gunner63 on October 11, 2007, 11:58:35 AM
Well the peeps are starting to make there way out of the eggs, looks to be about 50 so far this morning on the coturnix side, (I have 300 per tray) and the chickens are due to start hatching tommorow.  A little slide here and a little slide there of the draft and intake holes and you can pump that humidity up in the 70% range pretty good.  You know this sure says a lot for workmanship back then, this thing runs like a top (knock on the cedar wood its made out of) and sure beats the styrofoam we have been using, and I really dont mind hand turning the eggs.  Kinda keeps me in tune with how things are going.  One side note though, I had to cover the glass window with a towel to keep the light out, the first 5-10 chicks followed each other like lemmings to the bottom of the bator, theres a couple of spots that you just cant wire shut tight enough for them to stay in the basket.  BUT overall, I am pretty happy.  Pics coming soon.
Bill
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on October 12, 2007, 04:22:04 PM
Not only does mama want to make my super hatcher into day to day furniture, she took off for a homecoming football game with the digi cam, so pics will have to wait until the next batch of 300 or so.  I have filled 3-90 quart totes with more quail than I can count.  Its easier to count the eggs left in the bator.  Last count my kid came up with 31 eggs out of 300 left  which puts at about the 90% range if my math is right, a heck of a lot better than we have been averageing in the foam domes.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: CharlieHorse on October 14, 2007, 12:43:15 AM
Not only does mama want to make my super hatcher into day to day furniture,

I see that you may be forced to retire that old rickety machine, just so you know, my offer still stands!

a heck of a lot better than we have been averageing in the foam domes.

You can say that again, my hatch rate has went way up and the ease of use since obtaining my cabinet incubator is well worth acquiring one.  Although, the nostalgia of using one such as yours would make it even be better!

Glad to hear your good news
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: Gunner63 on October 14, 2007, 02:46:13 PM
The other thing that I have noticed is that the after hatch mortality rate is way down. With the foam domes we seem to lose about 10% after hatch in the brooders.  To date, we have lost 2 of the close to 270 that have hatched.  Next round of 300 quail and 110 chicken eggs are due to peep on tuesday, cant wait to see if we get a basketful of chickens.
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: bigdaddyfor3 on August 20, 2008, 05:47:36 AM
Hey bill, My name is john from MA. I beleive I have a super hatcher. WE had A different one as kids and had many hatches. It's funny I almost made furniture out of this one however a cousin wants to start hatching. I have some instructions. Send me those pics of the unit
and we'll confirm. John    Email:    bigdaddyfor3@verizon.net
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: bkvail on March 01, 2009, 10:27:22 PM
wow - this unit is amazing!  Anybody know where a person could get plans to build something similar?  Would any cedar do?  I have some Alaskan Yellow cedar in the woodshop I could use........
Title: Re: Sears Super Hatcher
Post by: backcountry on March 12, 2009, 06:56:10 AM
wow sounds nice i got a call from a friend last night and he found 3 old wood incubators for 125 (for all 3) all i know about them is that they are wood  old and from a zoo i hope they are like this  im going to go look at them today ill try and get some pics