Filter press is locked

[PARKER MAPLE]

Well bought this filter press awhile ago. As we were building the addition totally forgot about filter press. So yesterday I went out and turn it on. Motor turns but pump is froze or bound up. Any ideas, maybe the guy I got it from didn't clean it out so syrup is solid around pump gears. I don't no, any ideas would be great
It's a Wes Fab 7"

[maple maniac65]

chances are there is water in the pump. Either bring it inside where it is warm or pour some hot water on it. Mine will freeze up in the sugar house during the regular season. If by chance there is something wrong with the pump they are not hard to rebuild. I have even made the main gasket out of a heavy paper bag one day when it blew.

[maple flats]

If it was below freezing it could be frozen. But I think there is something in the pump. Remove the drive belt and try to turn the pump forward and backward but don't be too forceful. If that doesn't help, remove the bolts holding the end plate and examine inside to see what might be obstructing it. These pumps are very basic, just 2 gears meshing to move the syrup, no small parts, just the gears. It is possible a tooth chipped or something, if that is the case you can easily rebuild it. You might also be able to just remove the chip and run that way. Try it to see if you can get good pressure.

[lpakiz]

Mine did that too. I ran hot water over it for several minutes. Get the housing very hot. Be patient! Then I was able to free it up by gently rocking it back and forth on the 5 inch pulley. Be patient! Then ran more hot water thru it. I turn it by hand whenever I walk by it, just to make sure it isn't stuck.
I think you are exactly right, it wasn't clean enough when last used.

[BreezyHill]

Gear pumps are a positive displacement pump...the gears intermesh to move the product anything that gets between the gears can potentially stop them from turning. You can soak it in hot water to dissolve a water soluble blockage. but the big issue is to be certain that there is no product around the ends of the gears that will damage the face plates. if these are damaged the pump will not have the correct clearance and the pump will not have the desired pumping ability. The unit can be dismantled and cleaned and new gaskets installed and as long as the tolerances on the ends are good she will run fine. Damaged plates and it will not make pressure as before or have the volume as product will slip between the gear and the face plate.

Good Luck
Ben

[PARKER MAPLE]

Thanks guys I will take it apart and explore

[maple flats]

The blockage could be as simple as sugar crystals.

[PARKER MAPLE]

I hope its just sugar crystals. Im going to take it apart tomorrow and run some hot water in it.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

I bought a new Oberdorfer once that was seized right from the get-go. When I took it back the dealer asked me if I had run it dry (I hadn't) and he replaced it. From what he said though I gathered that they can seize if run with no liquid in them (not sure if that is true?). Never had that problem again though. Good luck with it.

[BreezyHill]

Most of the gear pumps use the liquid they are pumping as their lubricant for the bushings. The one grease able fitting on some is only on the input shaft and that is for a bearing. The bearing is used as a seal is needed and a bushing will wear and take out a seal quickly on a drive shaft due to the tension of the belt and any misalignment of the pulleys. The problem with sugar is it is so hard it can easily damage a bronze gear. The newer stainless gears are mush harder put if crystals are next to the face plate they will score the face plate and you will have by pass. Flushing with hot water will allow the pump to dry after it is flushed and reduce future head aches. It isn't hard to strip her down and clean her out and put a drop of veg oil on the shafts and new gaskets and she should be fine. Our big 3" molasses pumps have to be stripped about once a year. The Molasses will set and get thick and not allow the pressure springs to work or it will block the ports. Darn moles! :lol:

[PARKER MAPLE]

Pulled it apart today, sure enough crystals were sticking it up. Flushes with hot water and wiped it all out. Put it all back together with a couple of drops of veg oil and back in business. Works like a champ. I will have to get a new gasket for it before I use it here. But what a relieve. Thanks for all the help.
MR

[BreezyHill]

:D
Glad it all worked out!

Ben