Atlantic Fluid 3 HP w/ oil tank

[Kevin]

What do you think? I have been able to get good vacuum all season but today the pump will on give me 12" at the pump. My initial thought is that I need to add more oil, problem is I dont' have any and need to buy some to prove me theory. Question one is do you think that my theory is correct and that adding oil will improve my vacuum level. Question 2 is where can I get vacuum pump oil other then bascoms for $58/gallon.

[farmall h]

Kevin, Try any dairy supply vender ie: Agway, Tractor Supply or maybe Napa Auto Parts. When was the last time you added oil?

[NH Maplemaker]

Kevin, Whites dairy supply right down the road from you on rout 5! Got mine there last year!!

[maplwrks]

Kevin--I'm going to ask you 3 questions
1--Is there oil in the sight guage of the reclaimer? If not add oil to get it up in the sight guage.
2--Is the pump head hot?
3-- Does your pump have a flow restictor near the outflow of the reclaimer?

I have a 2 hp AF OSR15 pump. The flow restrictor gets clogged with "snots" and stops the flow of oil to the pump. Without the flow of oil, the pump will only produce 10" - 12 " of vacuum. The tell tale sign that you are clogged is the pump head is hot, and a low vacuum reading. The flow restrictor is a silver cylinrical looking gizmo on the side os the reclaimer that feeds in to the top of the radiator. ( everything else is blue)Take this line apart and blow out the flow restictor, reassemble and try firing it back up. I find sometimes, I need to get a little fresh oil into the pump head for it to take off.

Hope this helps---Good Luck

[Kevin]

Added oil and gained a few inches at the pump but no gain at the releaser, so took Mike's advice and blow out the flow restrictor..22" at farthest tap now. thank Mike

[maplwrks]

Glad it worked out for you---Keep and eye on it, it may happen again!!