1HP Gear Pump Style Cream Machine Under $900 - Pics/Parts List/Build

As a way to pay it forward for the help I get on this site, I decided to document my latest build, a gear pump cream machine. That way I can make the job soooo much easier for the next guy who does this ;) .

I have put off making one for years… mainly since I didn’t want to source all the parts for a paddle machine: washing machine motor, pulleys, etc… I am glad I did a pump style instead! Not only does the cream come out smoother than paddle machines, its easier to build.

The build was simple. I copied the design of Lapierre’s 3/4 HP unit and just beefed up everything a bit- motor, reducer, pump, piping, etc.
I used the camlock on the piping idea from Meadster on the forum, which helped break it down a bit. The 1” to ¾” reducer at the bottom of the 3-way valve helps when filling the cream jars, plus you just remove it when done and the entire footprint of the unit will sit flat when storing it.

The tough part was finding out the specific parts needed… so that's done.
For example, I emailed and called around to find out the proper RPM to run the gear pump at. I found out there was no real difinitive answer; a Lapierre dealer said 175rpm, a couple on here said around 60-100 rpm… so when I found one for around $40 that would bring me down to about 120rpm I was ok with that.

I built up the motor/reducer platform so the big N9000L 1” gear pump would rest perfectly on the base via its street elbow on the bottom/output side of the pump. .. wired in a 15A cord to a watertight work box and all is good.
I went with the N9000L since its 1" NPT= less restriction, faster taffy-to-cream turnaround, and.. well why not? i also took apart the pump and washed out the factory grease and replaced with my high-temp food grade grease. It was only 8 screws to break it down. It may have been food grade grease from Oberdorfer, but i didnt want to chance it. Plus, it was really cool to look inside the pump!


Yes, this isnt the cheapest build, but its better than paying retail. And I get a kick out of fabricating.

Below are the pics and parts list. Have fun!



1hp motor (USA customer support, replaceable parts, start and run cap, 110 or 220, same as a Dayton): $179
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-hp-electri...item2a4fe2a5ef

Gear Reducer: $41
If you cant find locally, sourcing a gear reducer at NRI is your best bet (think 15:1, 18:1, 20:1, 25:1… all should work fine with a 1725rpm motor.)
I chose this 15:1 gearbox (120rpm reduced) was 1hp max, 56c face, 473 in/lbs torque, newly refurbished)
https://www.nriparts.com/power-trans...c-gear-reducer
http://www.sterlingelectric.com/prod...r=2175BQ015562

Mobil 1 SHC634 synthetic wormgear oil… don’t cheap out here ($24)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/111900471491

Oberdorfer N9000L pump with 1" ports and a PTFE teflon seal good to 480 degrees: $424
https://pumpsforless.com/product/oberdorfer-pump-n9000l

Lovejoys ( L099 Size, 5/8 x no keyway for oberdorfer, and 7/8" x 3/16 keyway for motor, Urethane spider due to 400+ inches of motor torque) $50
https://www.mrosupply.com/couplings-...m_medium=Email
https://www.mrosupply.com/couplings-...m_medium=Email
https://www.mrosupply.com/couplings-...m_medium=Email

1" 3-way ball valve $35
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o02_s00

1" camlock male and female $11
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ilpage_o01_s00
http://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Aluminum.../dp/B0080JP0TO

2" tri clover to 1" male npt adapter $21
http://www.ebay.com/itm/401080390577...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Stainless funnel and tri clover clamp and 2 gaskets (one for backup)$112
http://moonshinedistiller.com/large-...lter-tri-clamp (The funnel's volume capacity is ~3gal… so a 2gal batch would be no problem)
http://moonshinedistiller.com/2-inch...teel-tri-clamp
http://moonshinedistiller.com/distil...-gasket-2-inch

Misc pipe fittings and electrical

24x20 3/4" pressure treated base

more pics...

very nice, Good Job

I like it! Subscribed

Very nice job! How are these to clean? Seems like a lot of cream would get caught in the pipe. What is your batch size?

thanks guys.

i make a 2gal syrup batch size, before its reduced.

No matter what unit you buy, you're going to have cream stuck in the pipe above the valve when you're done filling. its less than you think. Some people chase it with a bit of water and use that with another batch. i dont... i just fill the last jar until it stops dripping, and dump hot tap water in the funnel, let it circulate, dump the water out the valve, then refill with hot tap water again, and drain. its clean!

Nice documentation on the build!
You did a great job, and saved some funds doing the work yourself.
Thanks for sharing the design and specs!
Regards,
Chris

Thanks again.

Here is a batch I made over the weekend. This was a 2 gallon batch pre-reduction. The speed of the pump at 115rpm works fine. The cream came out so smooth there it really no waste in pipe when done. I just let the leftovers drip in a bowl below the valve. I turn the 3-way valve halfway between the downward and upward flow and that will get it all out, including the water you flush through after your done making cream.

I would highly recommend a glucose meter form Amazon. This one was only $7 and will allow you test the invert sugar level in your syrup so you make consistent cream. http://www.amazon.com/TRUEResult-Blo...se+Starter+Kit

You really don’t want to go over 2.5% invert sugar (3% max). To test, just take an empty cup, put it on a gram scale, zero out the scale, drip in 10 grams of syrup, and then 90 grams of warm water (100gr total). Stir it really good, and then dip the test strip in the liquid quickly and hold vertically until the reading comes up. Use this chart to convert your number and you’re done!

Jeremy,
Where did you find that neat chart?

Its the Cornell Maple Bulletin maple cream guide. It's super helpful for calculating invert sugar when blending syrups.

Here are a couple docs i like.

http://www.nnyagdev.org/maplefactshe...e%20Cream1.pdf

http://maple.dnr.cornell.edu/pubs/co...20section2.pdf


Here is the CDL cream machine manual, but page 4 and 5 have some nice instructions... plus some troubleshooting tips.
http://www.cdlusa.net/Data/Sites/8/m...-machine-2.pdf