Great example of a "scratter"

A "scratter" is a device for mashing up apples prior to pressing them, to make it possible to extract juice from them. Commonly they are as simple as a wooden drum with large nails sticking into it, which is rotated by a handle, the whole assembly being contained in a box structure - the apples go in the box at the top, are mashed up by the nail ends and drop out the bottom. Often this was automated with a band coming from a tractor engine.
 
However, this blog entry shows a different, more modern, approach to making traditional farmhouse-style artisan cider: the custom tabletop has a domestic kitchen waste disposal built in, the type that normally sits in a sink. This one however is open at the bottom, allowing the very thoroughly mashed apples to fall into a waiting bucket. Inspired thinking!