Gear or diaphragm

[Page Brook Maple]

What's the difference? Is a diaphragm pump better? Worth the extra money?

[maple flats]

Diaphragm offers a big advantage, you can control the flow rate by adjusting the air pressure driving the pump to match the conditions.

[lpakiz]

Yes, I agree. Soft, slow gentle starts. Any volume of flow you want. Hardly any wear from abrasive particals. Lasts forever. Can operate in a stalled (plugged) position forever with no adverse effects on itself. Never exceeds the syrup pressure that you call for, if you use an air pressure regulator and gauge to feed it.
Drawback is, you do need a source of air pressure.

[wiam]

If using a bronze gear pump there is also a "possibility" of lead leaching. VT is making people test for certification if you have a bronze pump. But I have heard tests are coming back negative.

[Diesel Pro]

And the diaphragm is more forgiving to be run "dry" for a bit to purge the last of the syrup from the unit.

[Russell Lampron]

Another fan of the diaphragm pump here. I like being able to control the syrup flow and pressure without using the bypass valve. One less messy hose to deal with.

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

what are people useing for diaphragm pumps?

[Russell Lampron]

what are people using for diaphragm pumps?

I'm using a 3/8" air powered double diaphragm pump. It has an aluminum body and Teflon diaphragms. I power it with a contractors air compressor.

[BreezyHill]

Gear pump with a Reostat speed controller. Pick them up on ebay for $25-$30. Works good. Also not a fan of a by pass. More cleaning to do. Keep it simple. Did pop a fuse one time. Changed it in under a minute.

Got a Ob. gear pump off ebay for $70 brand new plus a rebuild kit. Cant beat that with a stick.

[Homestead Maple]

How much syrup stays in a diaphragm pump between filtering, 1/2 pint or less? Does this syrup get cold enough to bother when you start another batch to filter?

[ToadHill]

We bought one of Leader's new clear plastic filter presses with an air diaphragm pump. One of the best investments we've made. Love the diaphragm pump. I've used gear pumps for years, but I'll never go back.

[sugarsand]

This is my first year with a air pump and it worked great. My ? Is, what is the best way to clean them up, and do they need to be drained to prevent freezing. I dont mean to change the topic here, but we have cast iron plates on the filterpress. What do I treat them with so they dont rust before next season?

Sugarsand

[Russell Lampron]

How much syrup stays in a diaphragm pump between filtering, 1/2 pint or less? Does this syrup get cold enough to bother when you start another batch to filter?

I filter all of my syrup when I am done boiling and run some hot water through the pump when I am finished. I have pumped cold syrup with it before and it works but slow. I don't think the pump will get cold enough between batches to be a problem.

[Diesel Pro]

I don't think much if any because when it finishes the batch I leave it pulse a few times. I used to hold a 1/2 pt or so in the stand pipe at the discharge end, but I turned this pipe to angle slightly downward and it drains nicely.

Hot water rinse as mentioned and the first bit of rinse can be recycled into the next batch. Not such a big deal for me any more now that I drain better.

Between batches the plates will cool so when you start the next batch you throttle the pump so that it only pulses every few seconds until the unit warms and pressure stays reasonable then you can speed up as the pressure allows.

[Page Brook Maple]

Thanks for all the advice decided to go with the 10 frame clear press with a diaphragm pump.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

Thanks for all the advice decided to go with the 10 frame clear press with a diaphragm pump.

Sounds like a great choice. Does that come with hoses to hook to the press or do you have to do that? If so did they recommend anything? I need to re-plumb a press and not sure what to use.

Thanks,

[Page Brook Maple]

Ya i got the clear hose to the pump and hi psi hose from the pump to the bank with quick coupler. Also a plate to block off some of the frames for small runs.