Gear pump.

[tonka]

Has anyone ever run into the gear pump on the filter press turn hard? I ran into that yesterday right when I was ready to filter, the motor would not turn the belt/pump, I even had a heck of a time turning the pulley on the pump, so instead of forcing something and chancing of breaking the press I backed off. I just got done pulling the 8? screws that holds the cap on, pulled the cap off enough to see inside the pump and turned the pulley to see if I could see what the problem was, well when I turned the pulley on the gear pump it turned smoothly and freely so I bolted the cap back on to see if it would still turn with the cap on and had no problem, nice smooth motion. I don't want to sound like I am complaining but would anyone know what it could have been that made it so stiff? it was all nice and clean on the inside with no visible defects, I ran steaming hot water (5 or so gallons) after last season so it got cleaned out, I am just boggled that is all. I just wish most fixes would come that easy.

[lpakiz]

Yes, I have. But my problem was dried up syrup in the pump. I thought I had it clean from the year before, but I guess not. Doesn't sound like this is your problem, tho. Could there have been some foreign object in the gears?

[maple flats]

I also had that just before the season when I was packing from bulk. I opened it and there were sugar crystals in it. I cleared the gears and put it back together. Same thing again. After 2 times it was good. Must be the barrel I transferred into the finisher to heat the month before was too thick. I hadn't remembered if I'd had to add distilled water (I do quite often) to get the correct density. However that was the first time (that I can remember) that the sugar crystals had stalled the pump. I was packing every 3-4 weeks in Nov, Dec and Jan and when orders are that good, I don't flush out the pump in cool or cold weather. However I do flush it in hot weather.

[vtmapleman]

Just today I was talking with another sugar maker and he had the same thing happen to him. Believe it or not what he found was the grease had harden to the point he could not turn the pump over. He took the two gears out, cleaned the pump out and reassembled - worked perfect.

[BreezyHill]

I have run gear pumps for along time and have found the best solution is to have two ball valves to isolate the pump. One on both sides so no air can reach the gears and oxidize anything. Sugars, grease, and I strongly suggest never leaving the unit dry. After a wash out with steaming hot water put in some veg oil so that the case does not rust. If the unit will set long dry it will rust if it is not SS.

Hot water rinse the next time and the pump is good to go.

Best Wishes

ben

[tonka]

It is possible that it could have been some crystallizing, I plugged all 3 inlets/outlets with some rages just to prevent any of them dam asian bugs from getting inside and stinking up the thing. I like the idea BreezyHill about running some veggie oil through the pump to prevent any rust. Think I just might have to buy a few screw on caps for each inlet/outlet pipe.