I am thinking of putting in a 20' unit before next season. What are some sources of used units? I don't want to spend alot. What have you guys that have them used? Maybe there is already a thread on here but I couldn't find it. Thanks

I know a fur buyer who has a large freezer. In the past several years, he has stopped finishing fur, and has simply been taking in carcass and green skins and reselling at a slight profit to someone (maybe Groenwald?). He has no costs in carcass disposal, which was a major expense for him, and he makes a little off each one. He isn't getting rich, but I think he's making a little.

lots of time you can check with the milk companies when there trucks get so old down here they will sale them fairly cheap and most of the time you can get one which has a box that is still working

I saw a thread on here with pictures of PSB1011's freezer/cooler. That is what I had in mind. Maybe he will answer with some suggestions.

Buck, are you talking about Paap's in Neb. City?

Bingo. How'd you guess?

if you can find a refrigerated truck body you would be money ahead the walkins I have built just the wall panels were about $200 a piece usually a 4 X 8 roof panel was double most walkin parts new are expensive most folks around here watch the paper for restaurant auctions and grocery store auctions and put in used. a 20 ft X 8 ft you are probably gonna need a 5-7 hp compressor depending on how well your box is insulated how often you go in it etc. this type of work I have done since 1982 I sit for my masters card at the end of this upcoming month I just bought a business license in september of last year. HTH some good luck

Back when I first started trapping, Paap had 2 kids skinning for him. They were pretty good. He has a nice setup. When prices went way down, his carcass disposal costs were such a large part of his expenses he decided to stop finishing fur. Now he sells carcass or green. Sure wish I had access to his shop, though. Best finishing setup I ever saw.

Find a pizza delivery service most of them upgrade their truck boxes from time to time. That is where most of the guys I know got theirs.

I remember going in there when I was in high school. There was always a huge pile of critters that just amazed me because all I ever had was a few coon. Yes I would love to have that shop. I would like to know how many furs were run thru that place. He told me a couple of years ago that he had a buyer from Greece and he was getting more money for the carcass'.

I'd bet Paap could tell you exactly how much fur has been run through there. He is meticulous with record keeping. He sold me my first dozen Duke 11's 12 1/2 years ago and bought my first coons. Gave me $10 each for them in the round. I was 37 years old.

I could sit in there and listen to him tell stories forever. This last year was the first year that I didn't seel to him since 1999. I still stop in there when I am on the road and buy a few things from him.

I DO sit there and listen to him tell stories forever. Get him to talk about bass fishing. That's the true joy in his life. Him and that belly boat, tearing up the farm ponds. LOL

Did you here the one about catching the big cat in the belly boat? I only wish I am still going like that when I am that old.

Thanks Judd, I think my thread might be getting hijacked. Any other westerners have any suggestions?

That the picture he has under the counter in the shop? Yep. His son is following in the footsteps. Heard he's gotten to be a pretty good coon caller.

I hope his boys keep the shop going after Paap moves on to the big furshed in the sky. It is nice to have somewhere to go to talk and pick up a few things.

around any bigger city you can find someone who sells used resturant equip. including walkins very reasonable

spawner

Scwann's Food's trucks run their ref. unit off of 220V. That way they can plug in over night instead of using fuel. Might be another one to look into

Has anyone been around the refrigerated ocean containers. They may be to expensive for me. I have found several reefer van bodies in the 18-22' range, I just don't know enough about it to know what I need for a reefer unit. I can't seem to find any info on converting from a diesel to electric. I thought everything could be found on the internet.

hey lewis does the diesel engine run a generator ?

aprophet, thats the way I understand it. I have never actually had my hands on one.

Mine was a produce truck with a diesel,and electric motor which is ,or was 3 phase which is only good for commercial purposes.Amish here use diesels to run the compressors but my thought is it is more costly to run,and far more trouble(effort).Diesels need to be constantly fed diesel,also oil changes,and more other matience.My 3 phase electric moter need to be single phase,my options were a converter box for $700,or a brand spanking new single phase motor for $700.I elected the new motor.This was 7-8 years ago.Just had a brand new regular unit installed for $3700,which is much more qoiet,and much more energy effecient.Mine newly installed unit is both a cooler,and also a freezer that got my box down to negative 10 degrees.For finished fur storage I have it now set at about 40 degrees on the upper end,and will shut off at about 35 degrees.My box is about 12 ft by 8 ft by 7 ft,and I believe I can keep about 4-5 thousand fox in it.I have had 2400 fox in it some years ago.

Inside of unit

Thats just what I am looking to put together PSB. Right now I am just trying to come up with options and costs. Did you have your van body spray foamed for more insulation?

Yes,I took out the inside paneling,and had 3 inches of ridged foam insulation sprayed on the inside.

Hey Phil, would you rent out freezer space if you had the extra room?

Phil did things the right way, as Phil said you can put in a nice unit for 4 or 5 grand and not have to worry about it for a few years. Few tips if you feel the need to buy a used unit thinkin your saving money, always look on the txv of the evap make sure condensing unit and coil are same refrigerant, and NEVER let one tell you a 350 dollar phase converter will start your 3 ph compresser on single phase, I've followed up a couple of these jobs after the salesman/installer had his money and was long gone. Looks like a trenton unit Phil has there, good unit, you can pick up a Russell unit a little cheaper probably.

The group of guys I hunt with have had two. The first was a small ice cream truck and deer had to go in horizontally. Now we have a beer truck body and it will hold 32 deer, 16 can hang from a rack on each side. The compressor is 110V and sits under a little shed in front of the walk in cooler. I know we have had this cooler for 20+ years.

always look on the txv of the evap make sure condensing unit and coil are same refrigerant

there are families of freon for example r -134 r -409a r -401a and r -12 will interchange on TXV,S and condensing units in the next week or two I post more of the families if anyone is interested HTH

PS. and that kina depends on whether you are using it for low temp 0* and below or medium temp +25 and up the charge on the powerhead on the TXV would need to different for LT or MT