Hose reel/pump setup?

[DaveB]

I'm trying to streamline my remote sap pickup process and my wife has said that she would be willing to help pickup sap from a couple of 100 gallon tanks IF it is a simple and easy process. I typically use a gas powered pump that I need to lay out the hoses, prime and then pull start. As mud season creeps in it can get messy and she will not go for that.

Ideally I'd like to setup a hose reel that all she would have to do is pull over to the tank and come back to the truck and turn on a 12v pump. I think a 15 minute wait would be tops so I'd need a pump that can do at least 7 GPM.

So, can you guys give me some suggestions? I need a food grade hose reel and I see them but they are about $350 - is there anything cheaper? It does not have to be motorized. I've been struggling with the pump as I've seen some pumps but most are AC and I'd be limited if I used a power inverter.

[BAP]

You would be better off buying one of these Honda pumps. They are small, light, start easy, run good and pump fairly fast. The 1" clear hose is light and easy to handle without a reel. I have one and really like it. It is easy enough for anybody to run and handle. I included a link for the pump and a place that sells hose if you want a longer one than comes with the pump. I set my pump and hoses up with Banjo cam and lock fittings so I can take the hoses on and off easily.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200585735_200585735
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=74557&catid=571
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=977&parentcatid=990

[tuckermtn]

how far is the farthest tank from the truck? "Sugarmaker" on here, aka Chris Casbohm, has a two Rule bilge pump system that sounds pretty slick...

[DaveB]

how far is the farthest tank from the truck? "Sugarmaker" on here, aka Chris Casbohm, has a two Rule bilge pump system that sounds pretty slick...

No more than 25'.

I'll look into that option for the pump....any thoughts on a hose reel? It would make life easier. I've seen units for about $300 but that's pretty steep. There's plenty of reels out there but the hose isn't food grade and I'm wondering if there are reels that I could just add a food grade hose to it.

[BreezyHill]

Depending on how far the tanks are from the truck you may want to use sections of tiger flex hose and cam lock fittings. Much easier to move a 10' or even 12' section of hose rather than dragging a long hose thru the mud and snow. If using a pic up you may want to use a hose that will go over the wheel wells and around the tank...like maybe 20' section. I had one 20' couple 10', one 8' and one 6'. The longer the hose the more friction and the longer it takes to pump.

From experience she will not like to reel up a hose by hand. Our tuck has a 150' of 1.5" hose for molasses delivery to farm tanks. When the motor dies it is replaced next day freight.

With cam locks you can keep sap in the hoses by capping the ends so that it doesn't take as much to prime the pump.

My pump is mounted low on the truck so that priming is easy...consider a hitch mount for the pump system. Easy to attach hoses, fuel, start, check oil, etc.

Tiger Flex is used in milk pickup so it is food grade.

Let me know if you want a pic of the truck. IH with a 10 speed and a 466 DT. She pumps 300 GPM from the truck tank on a 3" feeder line; but only suctions at 100 gpm thru 2" hose.

[Sugarmaker]

We have the two Rule pumps for road side trees.
A couple of pictures.

This is the remote pump. I have it now with 25 feet of 1-1/4 pool hose. Wire for remote is taped to the pool hose. Switch is near the pump. Wired in to the 4 pin trailer plug.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/Dump%20and%20pump/Remotepump4.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/Dump%20and%20pump/Remotepump5.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee170/Sugarmaker/Dump%20and%20pump/Sapintoteandremotepump.jpg

I have some more pictures somewhere:).
Regards,
Chris

[markct]

Basicly most any hose reel with potable water appropriate fittings would work, altho for 25 ft I think I would just get the real flexible but pricey tigerflex hose, it coils up easier than an extension cord realy! Also not all hose reel swivels will take suction, some have seals that have a lip profile to them and thus seal with pressure but would leak with vacuum. As for a pump a small Honda starts pretty easy, but if that's not a good option I think a inverter may be next best option as getting into larger dc motors gets pretty expensive as they are kinda specialized

[maple maniac65]

are there any old farms in your are. A milk dumping station has a big hose reel on it. Mine stores 500 feet of garden hose.(notfor the sugar house though) The sap hose that is made for sap lasts about two years for me. Dragging it around breaks it in between the ribs under pressure. I have two tanks 25' of the road

[DaveB]

The Rule pumps seem light and fast enough that I could probably use one of them. I like that I can use a 12v setup. I could use either a plug for the cigarette lighter port or maybe my trailer hitch connector.

In terms of a hose reel, I saw that Legacy products have models that are for potable water and they are under $200:

http://legacymfg.com/products/hosereels/default.asp

What I'm thinking is that my wife could carry the pump over to the tank and then pull the hose over and use a quick connect to connect the two. When the pumping is done, all she needs to do is disconnect the hose and it would retract for her and place the pump in the back of the truck.

I have an inquiry out to Legacy about the reel models that are made for potable water and will update the group when I find out.

[wildwood]

I got a 25' garden hose that is lead free and rated for potable water at Lowes.. It was not much more expensive than other garden hose and is incredibly flexible (easier than an extension cord like someone else said)

Don't listen to the review on their site I let water freeze in mine ALL THE TIME and treat it horribly and it hasn't burst yet http://www.lowes.com/pd_46348-177-ELMRV12025FM_4294612473__?productId=50065975&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1% 26page%3D2&facetInfo=