Suggestions for pump set up for moving sap between storage tank and header tank

[sshanny]

Looking to get advice on what to use for pumping from a 500 gal holding tank up about 9 feet to a 35 gal header tank. Both tanks reside in sugar house. I have electricity. Not sure what sort of pump to purchase. I have a 2x8 evaporator oil fired evaporator so I am not boiling at a super high rate. No RO at this time.

Thanks. Sean

[BAP]

I use a sump pump that doesn't have a float on it. I plug it into an outlet that I have wired to switch that I can turn it on and off when I need to.

[Bucket Head]

We do it the same way as BAP and both our tanks are in the sugar house as well. We have a 1" inlet/outlet electric pump with a short hose (4 or 5 feet) on the suction side for connecting to the bulk tank and a twenty foot hose going up to the head tank.
Steve

[pipeline]

harbor freight 1 inch pump with a sump pump switch in head tank with float works good

[Super Sapper]

I use a 1 inch sprinkler pump to unload from my truck and then use it to fill my head tank. My storage tank is outside and head tank inside. I have an outlet by the storage tank that is wired through a switch by the evaporator and also a float in the head tank.

[KV Sappers]

I also use a 1 inch sprinkler pump to unload from my storage tank outside to fill my head tank inside.

[maple flats]

I use a SS sprinkler pump when I run my flue pan washer. I suggest not using a submersible sump pump. They have oil in them, and if it develops even a tiny leak it will contaminate lots of syrup. Use a pump that can not leak oil into the sap. I use this one, but it was on sale for $159.99 when I bought it in 2014. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200311411_200311411 To lift sap 9' you can safely use a cheaper pump, just be certain it can not put oil in the sap.

[sshanny]

I would guess something as simple as this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001FAA5Y/ref=s9_simh_gw_g60_i2_r?ie=UTF8&fpl=fresh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=&pf_rd_r=FJ85RZ29VCZF163PFERW&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=a6aaf593-1ba4-4f4e-bdcc-0febe090b8ed&pf_rd_i=desktop would do the job in my case.

[SeanD]

I use a SS sprinkler pump when I run my flue pan washer. I suggest not using a submersible sump pump. They have oil in them, and if it develops even a tiny leak it will contaminate lots of syrup. Use a pump that can not leak oil into the sap. I use this one, but it was on sale for $159.99 when I bought it in 2014. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200311411_200311411 To lift sap 9' you can safely use a cheaper pump, just be certain it can not put oil in the sap.

I have this same pump and have been very happy with it. While in the description it says it is self-priming, I haven't had success with that. So, I've set things up where the pump is always below the level of the sap in the tank.

Sean

[DocsMapleSyrup]

The credit for my transfer system came from John at Rileysugarbush when I visited his sugarbush this past year. I use a Wayne Sprinkler pump to which I made a PVC manifold system. I have a collection tank, head tank, and two bulk tanks. The sprinkler pump can be connected to my collection tank and pumped to either the head tank or to the bulk tanks. When that is completed. The bulk tanks will feed the pump by gravity to fill the head tank which is controlled by a two level float switch. Since I am in the process of building a lean to and getting it wired, etc., I can't show you the whole setup but here is the pump and manifold that is used. Please note where the intake is located on the manifold as I don't have the intake hose on the manifold.

14918

[Brad W Wi]

I have 3 tanks that I use and keep the levels set with a 1" pump that pumps 720 gph. I got the pump from the Northern Catalog.I use float switches to maintain the level in the feed tank and just open valve to what ever tank I want to take from. I also have a float for an alarm so if the level in the feed tank drops too low I know it, so I can switch tanks I'm feeding from. The low level alarm has saved my tail more than once from running out in the feed tank.