Best small vaccum pump in garage?

[bagpiper]

Hi folks - I am new to this; just finished my 1st year with 47 buckets all on reds which is all I have. I would like to set up a small vacuum system with a pump and storage barrel in my garage. I have 25 or so mostly single tap reds within about 150 feet of the garage that I could tap. Some of them were my best trees this year. There would be, at most, a 6 foot lift to run a 5/16 line into the garage. Is there an A/C pump that would do the job efficiently and be able to run dry without damage?

[Revi]

I'd like to know as well. We have a sap line right to our sugarhouse, which has power.

[Revi]

I'd like to know as well. We have a sap line right to our sugarhouse, which has power. I'd like to have it for when we want sap, and be able to turn it off when we're swamped.

[madmapler]

Sounds like a gast vane pump would suit you just fine. Its common to see them mated to a bender milk releaser. You can usually find them on ebay for a good price if you're patient. The gast 2065 (17cfm) and the gast 2565(23cfm) are popular and pull 26hg pretty easily. Do some searches on the forum. There's all kinds of info on both pumps and benders..

[unc23win]

I'd like to know as well. We have a sap line right to our sugarhouse, which has power. I'd like to have it for when we want sap, and be able to turn it off when we're swamped.

Ha ha You won't turn it off when your getting sap you'll deal with the extra and want more. As Sean said sounds like good situations fore Gast pumps eBay is loaded with them new and used. Loved my 2065 sold it to trader in need.

[bagpiper]

Forgive me for being numb. What is a bender releaser and why would I need one?

[bix]

Look up lunchbox releaser I used one this on 77 taps all 5/16 line worked good it runs off a air compressor

[madmapler]

Forgive me for being numb. What is a bender releaser and why would I need one?

A bender is a smaller glass jar releaser that is/was used in dairy for releasing milk out of a vacuum system without losing the vacuum in the system. I have a few but I'm not sure I want to get rid of them just yet. If I get a chance I'll post a pic later.

[bagpiper]

Thanks Madmapler.

[Tweegs]

Another option would be the Guzzler pumps or, cheaper still, one of the Shurflow diaphragm pumps.
Both will eliminate the need for a releaser.

[bagpiper]

Do the Shurflow pums run continuously when they are powered without heating up or damage if they are dry? How long do they last before a rebuild?

[softmaple]

lunchbox all the way. we had 22 taps and got 1000 gallons of sap. and used $4.08 in electricity all season.

[madmapler]

The diaphragm pump is a good option for your amount of taps. The only real drawback is ice being drawn into the pump and destroying the diaphragm. They say its best to keep extras on hand should you go that route.

[bagpiper]

Hi softmaple. What is a "lunchbox"?

[CampHamp]

Do the Shurflow pums run continuously when they are powered without heating up or damage if they are dry? How long do they last before a rebuild?

These can be run dry and below freezing. I choose to shut mine down using a temp switch when it hits well below freezing. There's a screen to block ice. My pump (4048 model) and original diapham just finished their third year (I started half-way in the first year, so 2.5 years). It is able to put 26" of vac on 115 taps which doubles my syrup. There's a good thread called '1st Day - Sap Puller' on this subject.

[Acer]

Hi softmaple. What is a "lunchbox"?
Check signature link to learn about the Lunchbox
Dean

[bcarpenter]

I am also a fan of the shurflo pump ! First year for us. We are less than 50 taps and I just uploaded a video of our pump in action on my blog post today about the last boil for our season. My pump was outside


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[ryebrye]

lunchbox all the way. we had 22 taps and got 1000 gallons of sap. and used $4.08 in electricity all season.

45 gallons per tap is exceptional. That's coming from having vacuum, yes, but other factors (weather? Very large trees that really needed to get rid of sap? Tapping a water main? ;) ) were in play here than just having vacuum.

[rayi]

Don't want to hijack the tread but do any of you Sureflo people have two 3/4 mains. If so how did you handle that.

[bcarpenter]

Don't want to hijack the tread but do any of you Sureflo people have two 3/4 mains. If so how did you handle that.

I would suggest a manifold at the pump out of pvc pipe with each 3/4" leg coming off it. I am thinking about this for next year where I want to have 2 main lines


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