Bucsh vs. Air tech

[Ontario Ian]

considering upgrading my pumps. just looking for the pros and cons of the bucsh R5 models and the airtech L series. Thanks in Advance

[gmack]

What Vacuum pump do you have now ? I am thginking I need to buy one .

[S.S.S]

Consider atlas copco and save yourself a ton of money.

[Ontario Ian]

I currently have old milker pumps, they work but looking to get into the high vacuum

[gmack]

What one should I look at . I dont see one for the maple industry .

[ennismaple]

We currently have the Airtech L100 that runs 2 of our woods (about 3000 taps) and may consider getting an L40 for another 2 woods (1000 taps combined). It is a very easy to use and low maintenance pump that can be used in an unheated space.

S.S.S.: Which Atlas Copco pump do you use? I just skimmed the dry claw brochure and it says the lowest ambient operating temperature is the freezing mark. Is this correct?

[unc23win]

I would be interested in hearing more about the Busch R5 pumps. I am considering getting a new pump for next season looking at Atlas Copco which I have heard very good things about. Now I am hearing good things about the R5 which is not a dry pump like most other Busch pumps the R5 uses oil. The prices are a little closer as well where as with other Busch pumps that cost quite a bit more. So who has a Busch R5?

[S.S.S]

We currently have the Airtech L100 that runs 2 of our woods (about 3000 taps) and may consider getting an L40 for another 2 woods (1000 taps combined). It is a very easy to use and low maintenance pump that can be used in an unheated space.

S.S.S.: Which Atlas Copco pump do you use? I just skimmed the dry claw brochure and it says the lowest ambient operating temperature is the freezing mark. Is this correct?I use a gvs60. I have a little propane heater in my pump house because I don’t want my releaser and pump to freeze. I have had my atlas Copco vacuum pump for 3 years now and absolutely love it. And I bet I could by 2 of these pumps for price of one airtech.

[S.S.S]

I would be interested in hearing more about the Busch R5 pumps. I am considering getting a new pump for next season looking at Atlas Copco which I have heard very good things about. Now I am hearing good things about the R5 which is not a dry pump like most other Busch pumps the R5 uses oil. The prices are a little closer as well where as with other Busch pumps that cost quite a bit more. So who has a Busch R5?If you don’t mind me asking what kind of pricing did you get quoted on them pumps.

[Brendan Hill]

I looked at the atlas copco website, and a gsv 40 which is comparable to my 2 HP, 28 cfm airtech, was fairly close to what I paid at around 3,300$. The units really look alot alike. S.S.S is your gsv 60 3 phase? It seems that anything over 2 HP is 3 phase on that website, maybe that's standard? I don't know.

[Haynes Forest Products]

I have the L65 Airteck and love it I leave it outside in the cold and it runs just fine at start up. Just change the oil regularly.

[S.S.S]

I looked at the atlas copco website, and a gsv 40 which is comparable to my 2 HP, 28 cfm airtech, was fairly close to what I paid at around 3,300$. The units really look alot alike. S.S.S is your gsv 60 3 phase? It seems that anything over 2 HP is 3 phase on that website, maybe that's standard? I don't know.Yes it’s 3phase and I called my local rep last week Friday for current price on a gvs60 for my neighbor and can get one for $2578. And current price on gvs100 is $3517.

[WestfordSugarworks]

S.S.S.: Which Atlas Copco pump do you use? I just skimmed the dry claw brochure and it says the lowest ambient operating temperature is the freezing mark. Is this correct?

Not sure if this answers your question, but the Atlas Copco pumps do need to be in a heated space and kept warm in order to start up. Oil needs to be warm enough, I believe. We like the pumps. Have 2 and they work good. Just need to design the releaser/pump setup the right way to ensure sap never gets in your pump.

[blissville maples]

I would be interested in hearing more about the Busch R5 pumps. I am considering getting a new pump for next season looking at Atlas Copco which I have heard very good things about. Now I am hearing good things about the R5 which is not a dry pump like most other Busch pumps the R5 uses oil. The prices are a little closer as well where as with other Busch pumps that cost quite a bit more. So who has a Busch R5?

The Busch and airtech pumps are identical, take all same filters oil etc. Rock solid pumps, I've always been a fan of vane pumps as they are more reliable. I do believe that airtech for whatever reason pulls more vaccum, 28.5-29. versus my Busch I get only 27-28........they are the only style pump I would use

[spud]

I had a Busch Vane pump and I hated it. It was a 5hp but not sure of the model. It had a LoveJoy coupler that kept shredding and they are a pain to replace if your alone. Air tech does not have that problem. I am running a 5hp Air Tech vane pump in my lower woods and it is a great pump. I just bought a Air Tech liquid ring pump for my sugar house and that works great. The beauty of the liquid ring pump is sap/water can get into the pump and at worst you would just have to replace the oil. That is a 5 minute fix. If sap/water gets into your vane pump you have problems and could loose a days worth of sap. I have a thermostat on my liquid ring pump and I have not drained any moisture from that pump yet. It's been running for 4 weeks now.

Spud

[JoeJ]

This is my fifth season using a Bush R-5-100 62 CFM pump. Cost 5 years ago, $4575.00. The R5 should be in a heated space that is about 45 -50 degrees. Now for the review.

The pump makes great reliable vacuum with one warning, which I did not get when I bought the pump. This pump should not be run below 22-23 inches of vacuum or it will blow the oil out the exhaust. I found this out the hard way when pulling taps 2 years ago and letting the drops hang instead of putting the drop on the tee plug. I am lucky that a friend stopped by the sap shed as I was pulling taps and saw the oil blowing out the exhaust. The solution was easy, plug the drops off.

I have run the pump for several season without adding a drop of oil to the reservoir.

Like Spud, I don't like the Lovejoy fitting. I have had to replace it twice and it is a big pain.

The 2 filters for the R-5 are expensive and the oil is expensive if you buy it from Lapierre. $30. a quart. I finally found a source for the Busch oil at $19.00 a gallon.

If I knew then what I know now, I would buy another brand pump or a different pump. I should have stuck with buying a 2 stage Sihi liquid ring oil pump like what I have at my sugar house. But now I have too much invested in the R-5 to get rid of it and I just run the pump making sure the vacuum level doesn't go below 22 - 23 inches. My vacuum room is heated any way because of the electric releaser.

Joe

[wiam]

This is my fifth season using a Bush R-5-100 62 CFM pump. Cost 5 years ago, $4575.00. The R5 should be in a heated space that is about 45 -50 degrees. Now for the review.

The pump makes great reliable vacuum with one warning, which I did not get when I bought the pump. This pump should not be run below 22-23 inches of vacuum or it will blow the oil out the exhaust. I found this out the hard way when pulling taps 2 years ago and letting the drops hang instead of putting the drop on the tee plug. I am lucky that a friend stopped by the sap shed as I was pulling taps and saw the oil blowing out the exhaust. The solution was easy, plug the drops off.

I have run the pump for several season without adding a drop of oil to the reservoir.

Like Spud, I don't like the Lovejoy fitting. I have had to replace it twice and it is a big pain.

The 2 filters for the R-5 are expensive and the oil is expensive if you buy it from Lapierre. $30. a quart. I finally found a source for the Busch oil at $19.00 a gallon.

If I knew then what I know now, I would buy another brand pump or a different pump. I should have stuck with buying a 2 stage Sihi liquid ring oil pump like what I have at my sugar house. But now I have too much invested in the R-5 to get rid of it and I just run the pump making sure the vacuum level doesn't go below 22 - 23 inches. My vacuum room is heated any way because of the electric releaser.

Joe

Do you mind telling the source for the oil?

[JoeJ]

Wiam,

I bought the gallons of Busch vacuum oil from New Boston Pump in New Hampshire. I think that they are the regional distributor for Busch. I usually speak to Richard. The number is 603-894-6677

It costs me $27.00 to ship 2 gallons. I got the oil the next day. Even with the shipping, the oil cost a little over $8.50 a quart.

Joe