Using Trimming Machines for Trimming Cannabis

Using Trimming Machines for Trimming Cannabis

Professor DeBacco


Bud Trimming Machine Options
Two main options are dry and wet trimming machines
In addition there are also different sizes to best match your operation



Trimming Machine Options to Consider…
Wet Trimming Machines
Dry Trimming Machines
Tumbler Style
Bowl Style Trimmers
Stand-Up Trimmers
Bag Style

Wet Trimming Machines
Wet Trimming Machines allow you to trim more and save some space since you will not need to hang flowers by their stem while drying.
Sometimes wet trimming is sometimes a necessity, particularly in larger grow facilities that have tight time schedules.
Incorporating a wet trimming machine will result in a faster harvest process and reduces the amount of space it takes to dry your plants on the stem after initial plant take down.



Wet Trimming Machines
Advantages
Increased speed which is typically a main goal of commercial growers
Space savings due to the reduced plant material that is needed to be dried
Disadvantages
Reduced trim quality because the breaking of wet plant cells
Not good for concentrates
Flowers can have a green taste and smell



Dry Trimming Machines
Dry Trimming Machines trim with dry plant material and is recommended because the trichomes will be preserved during the process.
Machines like Twister, CenturionPro, Triminator or any other dry trimmer for the best results.



Dry Trimming Machines
Advantages
Many different options/styles to best fit the needs of the grower
Cut closer than wet trimmers
Since no bud size reduction due to moisture content
Improved quality over wet trim
Disadvantages
Takes a bit more space since you will be hanging the flowers from the stem to dry.



Tumbler Style Trimmers
Tumbler Style Trimmers are the most popular style that work by rotating the flowers around in a cylinder tube allowing for a close trim.
Twister Trimming machines are common because they are made for production and can scale by place multiple units inline and adding feed conveyors.



Tumbler Style Trimming Machines
Advantages
Very fast trimming
up to 45 lbs/hr wet and 16 lbs/hr dry.
Can trim both wet and dry with the change of a tumbler.
Scalable design that can handle large batches
Disadvantages
The price of these machines tend to be more than other options available



Bowl Style Trimmers
Bowl Style Trimmers are usually manually operated with a hand crank that moves flowers around in a bowel allowing them to come in contact with blades.
Automated models can be used if you have high plant volumes



Bowl Style Trimming Machines
Advantages
You control speed via a hand crank.
Very affordable
Balances efficiency and cost
Disadvantages
Can remove too much material
Recommended for dry flowers only



Stand Up Trimmers
Stand Up Trimmers are operated by manually slowly moving the flowers back and forth over a grate with a fan running underneath catching any material that passes through.



Stand-Up Trimming Machines
Advantages
You and adjust the speed the plant material is moved through while the blade remains at a constant speed.
Disadvantages
Your hands will end up close to a moving blade
Advised for dry trimming only



Bag Style Trimmers
Bag Style Trimmers are operated by placing the flowers in the bag and rotating the bag in different directions.



Bag Style Trimming Machines
Advantages
Control since the bags are always manually operated/spun
Lightweight and compact for easy storage
Affordable and still effective
Disadvantages
Flowers can break apart due to the physical shaking that occurs
Labor intensive process







Link to Lecture Slides: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13Hv0...

*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "Using Trimming Machines for Trimming Cannabis" can be viewed at... https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YzOA...