New Press - Air Pump or Gear Pump? Opinions needed!!!

[YoungFamilyFarm]

Im getting a Leader 7-1/2" 5 plate press, but I am still on the fence deciding which pump to get! I have all the electric and appropriate space to support either system, but unsure which would be most efficient long term. Buying new, it is waaaay cheaper to upgrade to air rather than buy a complete air unit down the road; but do I really need one!? I will process 10-16 gallons per night on average, with season totals around 150-250 gallons. Help! What would you do if you were me?

[1arch]

I originally had an electric westfab and upgraded this spring to a smokey lake all ss air pump filter press. No comparison in my opinion. Air pump is the premier way to go. Easy control over pumping volume, easy slow starts for easing the DE into the plates, easy valve change to use as a syrup transfer pump. Wouldn't want to go back to an electric belt drive.

[upsmapleman]

Go air first time!

[wiam]

Most packers around here are looking for brass to go away. It might be better to stay ahead of this.

[Russell Lampron]

I went with the air pump when I replaced the hand pump on my press. Very easy to install and operate. I went with the 1/2" pump. I only have to undo one coupler to remove it so that I can use it to transfer syrup. I have a contractors compressor as an air source that is now the sugar house compressor. It is very easy to control the syrup flow with the valve on the inlet. There is no need for a by pass because you are in control of the pump speed and pressure. I haven't had to replace them yet but a diaphragm kit is a lot less expensive than a gear pump. Time flies so I don't remember how long ago I put the pump on but I'm thinking that it has to be about 8 to 10 years ago. I make and filter about the same amount of syrup as you do.

[BAP]

After listening to the electric pump scream time after time you will appreciate the air pump. Also the brass pumps slow down after they were a little bit making the time it takes to filter much longer. I would go with air the first time even if you have to buy a pancake air compressor to run it.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

no comparison, go air

[maple flats]

I used a gear pump until it needed to be rebuilt after about 10 seasons. I've had my air diaphragm pump for 2 seasons now. Huge improvement. Air is the way to go. Far easier, far more control and faster too. Mine is a 3/8" pump plumbed on suction with 1" line while my line to the filter press is 3/8" and I plumbed in a bypass line of 1/2". It works great. Even though it is only a 3/8" pump it moves syrup far faster than my 1/2" gear pump ever did.

[nymapleguy607]

Go with an air pump.. You can set the regulator pressure and walk away from it unlike an electric where you need to throttle the bypass valve

[YoungFamilyFarm]

Awesome feedback. I am a bit surprised there is nobody spreading any love for the gear pumps. I had some other dealers and producers in my area insisting the gear pump is still the way to go, but with no clear supporting evidence to back up the claim. Thanks everyone!

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

I had some other dealers and producers in my area insisting the gear pump is still the way to go, but with no clear supporting evidence to back up the claim. Thanks everyone!

LOL- Probably because they are trying to get them off the shelf!! All kidding aside, we have a gear pump on our 7" Wesfab press and if it ever goes, we would replace with an air pump. After seeing/using an air pump with a larger operation, it seemed to work fine and as mentioned industry is steering away from brass.

[S.S.S]

Air only way to go.

[wiam]

Awesome feedback. I am a bit surprised there is nobody spreading any love for the gear pumps. I had some other dealers and producers in my area insisting the gear pump is still the way to go, but with no clear supporting evidence to back up the claim. Thanks everyone!

They make good money selling rebuild kits and replacement pumps. Or......they have not used an air pump. lol

[stewardsdairy]

Used gear for years and now have had sit the last two years. Go with the air!

[RileySugarbush]

We replaced our hand diaphragm pump on the Daryl press with one of Smoky Lake's air diaphragm pumps. It made a challenging filtering chore into an absolute delight.

Total control, no pressure relief bypass to worry about like you do with a gear pump, soft start and stop. I highly recommend going with an diaphragm pump.