Sap transfer pump recommendation

[Jal-Bear]

I have a 65 gallon tank on back of the utv that I use for collecting sap and need to pump about 12 feet up to head feeding tank. Any recommendations on transfer pumps out there or anything I should stay away from? Thanks.

[MISugarDaddy]

A Honda WX-10 is a great pump.

[handtapper]

I own a wx10 its a good pump. I would mount a 12v bilge pump in the bottom of the drum. Much easier operation for on the go.

[wiam]

If you have power and that is the only thing you are using it for I would recommend electric.

[johnallin]

Ditto on the Honda wx10. Easy to break down and clean, and light weight.
All in all it's a nice little pump - mine has "Maple Use Only!" painted on it.
Lord help the son or son-in-law who uses it for anything else... For that reason I hide in the off season.

[Diesel Pro]

A 37 gpm gas powered pump?

The OP has a 65 gallon tank. The pump cavity and associated plumbing would hold good plenty of sap. It would be fast, but potentially wasteful.

Something small and electric is what I am looking for.

[Daveg]

I've got a Chinese brand 1-1/2" gas, 91cc pump (Pacific Hydrostar-Harbor Freight). It'll empty/fill a 55 gallon drum in about a minute. $139. It is easy to prime with a quick-remove threaded plug and has another for easy draining to avoid freeze damage. Hoses are extra and are unwieldy, though......

[Bucket Head]

I have a Rule brand, 12v marine bilge pump. If I remember right, its a "3700" model(?). Get one of them or a similar model from Rule and you will be happy. Mine transfers my truck/receiver hitch-mounted dumping station up to the tank in the bed.

Steve

[CampHamp]

Jal-Bear, I think the first requirement is a pump certified for handling potable water. Check out some 12V RV pumps for decent value options. I use a Shurflo 4008 for transfers from a 100G tank up 30'. It might take 20 minutes, but I don't need to watch over it so it works for me.

[Zucker Lager]

Was looking for a pump myself has anyone checked out the 12 volt pumps that ebay has for sous vied cooking, large fish tanks, beer brewing, etc. they say food grade and are fitted with garden hose fittings. they run 20 to 35 bucks. For a mini operation like I have it might be a good size. Jay

Search Ebay for "food grade pumps"

[VT_K9]

Do you have electricity nearby? I would recommend a Wayne electric pump. We used one for years and went as far as pumping 30 feet in elevation and 300-400 feet in distance with 3/4" line. It took awhile, but it was what we had. If you are going to expand in the future and subscribe to the theory buy once cry once a Honda gas pump would be very nice and quick too.

Mike

[DaveB]

I have a couple of sap transfer applications and I'm racking my brain trying to figure out the best solution. I need to figure out something before this weekend, so I'm hoping that I can find a solution that I can pick up locally.

I have a Rule 1500 pump that works perfectly for transferring sap to my truck tank and to unload the sap to main storage tank. It's a 12v 5amp pump and it works when I connect it to my trailer hitch power but for some reason if I connect it to a 12v 5amp power supply used for a thermoelectric cooler, it doesn't work. Is there a different AC power supply that I can use that will work? I'm looking to automatically transfer sap from my main tank to my feed tank and I have a float switch that can turn an AC outlet on and off. At the moment I have to start a gas powered pump to transfer the sap. It's noisy and takes me away from boiling.

I also need to transfer sap from a collection point in my woods back to the sugar house and I've also been using the gas powered pump to pump that tank out and send it to the sugar house. I'd like to have something that I can just plug in and go. That would be easiest for any help that I may have. I was hoping to just use the Rule pump but again, I'm at a loss as to how to use it with AC power.

Alternatively, what kind of 120v pump can I use? The furthest point is 300' and no more than 6' lower than the tank. Everything I've read hear are 12v or gas powered pumps.

[theguywiththename]

I just use a old combine battery to run my 12v pump. Hasn't needed to be charged yet and when it does I wont be a big deal. I found it easier then trying to lug a generator around or rigging up something else.

[stoweski]

Earthquake pump from waterpumpsdirect. Have had it for four years. Only problem is the gas line broke once. Easy fix... Back in operation in about 15 minutes. Cheap enough. Cleaned after every use, run dry at end of season after putting Trufuel in it.

[Fiddlehead]

Buy a Honda From the start. They make a great 4 stoke pump that works with a garden hose. Lightweight and very useful in the sugar bush. WX10c is the model.

[liljohn]

For 120v you could try a march or chugger pump, these are used in brewing beer and have standard 1/2" npt on them.

[DaveB]

Buy a Honda From the start. They make a great 4 stoke pump that works with a garden hose. Lightweight and very useful in the sugar bush. WX10c is the model.

I have a honda gas powered pump but I was looking for something that would turn on/off automatically.


For 120v you could try a march or chugger pump, these are used in brewing beer and have standard 1/2" npt on them.

That's a good suggestion but I'm going to try a portable power supply - one of those jump start units and plug the 12v pump into that and see if it works. It's not ideal, but it will save me from buying a new pump and having to wait for it to arrive. I can send my son out there and he can simply plug it in and start filling the feed tank.

Next year I think I'm going to switch my Shurflo pumps from 120v to 12v (they last longer) and I'll use the 120v pumps to transfer sap.