air operated drum pump

[bison1973]

I want your opinion on this air opereted barrell pump used to transfer syrup.

There's one in the Leader catalog for $124 but doesn't even include the regulator.

then I found one online for $60 with the regulator. http://www.harborfreight.com/12-gpm-air-operated-barrel-pump-93755.html

Will it work? Is it basically the same thing?

[mountainvan]

I've used that pump for several years and love it. the ball valve broke pretty much right away,but I had a spare around and since then no problem. Actually just emptied a barrel with it this morning.

[mapleack]

Just be sure you've got a filter inline for oil, water and dirt. That said, I might buy one too!! Good find. Van, have you had any rust issues with yours?

[ToadHill]

I've had one and used it for years. Works great, but the one thing nobody talks about and last I knew the companies don't warn anyone about is the safety risk. You are basically pressurizing a drum that isn't designed to withstand pressure. You need to be carefull and only use the minimum pressure required to get the job done. I don't know the exact number, but with air pressure it is a lot lower than what most people think. Over pressurizing a drum can have disasterous consequences.

[maplecrest]

I do not use air.i use a gear pump off filter press to pump syrup with it out of drum. Works great. Does not like 40 degree syrup. need to be room temp to work best.

[ennismaple]

I do not use air.i use a gear pump off filter press to pump syrup with it out of drum. Works great. Does not like 40 degree syrup. need to be room temp to work best.

We do the same with a gear pump coupled directly to a 1HP electric motor. We found out the hard way about it not liking cold syrup - it tripped the overload and we had to wait until the drum warmed up enough to pump it. At one point we considered lighting a fire under the drum to warm it up!

[Russell Lampron]

I use the air operated double diaphragm pump that I use on my filter press. It's a little slow but gets the job done.

[Amber Gold]

The local brewery (Redhook) had a fatality last year (I think) from a worker pressurizing a keg and having it explode.

I know someone with the Leader one and the build quality could be better. From what I remember, some parts don't fit together as tight as they should, so it chews up o-rings and leaks.

I mounted an air-operated double diaphragm pump in place of the gear pump, and it's pumped everything so far w/ no issues, although warmer syrup does pump better.

[mountainvan]

no rust. It's stainless and brass. the relief valve opens at 10 psi I believe. not enough to make the barrels go boom. I do use my gear pump on drums that the bung is pushed down.

[Potters3]

Out of Grainger supply you can buy a electric blanket for barrels to warm them up so they pump better and faster.