sap transfer pumps

LIghten up guys. There are clearly different approaches to this maple syrup making thing. Some of us are doing it as a hobby for family and friends, while others are doing it for profit. The associatated costs for both approaches vary considerably.
I received a $42.00 clear water pump from Harbor Freight last week. Pulled the pump apart and thoroughly cleaned the pump cavity. Works very nicely for pumping sap up to my storage tank. I guess I will take the risk of using a non SS pump in my operation.

I got the pump I talked about earlier. It is steel. ALso there was no grease in it. It works great so far. I would recomend it. The best $140 ive spent so far making syrup.

I bought one of those pumps from harbor freight and I'm happy with it. But when it says "clear water" they mean clear water you don't want any dirt or debris in it. If it fells grity you don't want to run it through your pump. On pipeline that shouldn't be a problem. Now We have about 205-300 taps on buckets and depending on the help that day there can be some odd debris in the water (you don't want to run that through the pump).

As my story unfolds…
The one pump head replacement I could find sold for more than the pump from Harbor Freight, so I just bought the new pump from them.

Made a mistake buying the hose though, I think. Has a strong urethane smell to it. Being the dummy I can sometimes be, I gave it the tongue test, a little lick on the inside of the hose, to, you know…see. :lol:

Fortunately, I can type better than I can talk at the moment…vile, simply vile.

I need to find a good 1.5” hose, and quick…what are you all using?

This stuff is awesome for both ends of the pump and order whatever size you need. I have been using some for 7 or 8 years and still about like new. Very durable and flexible and should last for probably 20 years or more with proper care and storage during off season:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...3579&catid=736

PS They are an awesome company and ship same day.

Today was the first day to try out the new little Honda 1"
pump.

We have the 275 gallon totes in the bush under the releasers and a Gator with two 35 gallon tanks.

That little pump fills the 35 gallon tank in a bit over a minute. It weighs only 22 lbs soaking wet. That's real important because once the RO and evap get going the wife takes on collection duty.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER

This stuff is awesome for both ends of the pump and order whatever size you need. I have been using some for 7 or 8 years and still about like new. Very durable and flexible and should last for probably 20 years or more with proper care and storage during off season:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/ite...3579&catid=736

PS They are an awesome company and ship same day.

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Thanks!
Ordered the stuff on Tuesday, it showed up Wed...UPS ground, gotta love that. Near got the UPS truck stuck in the drive, but that's another story.

It looks good and like it will last.

Still need to flush the pump out before I use it, tonights agenda.

My short experience with this clear wire re-enforced plastic is that it will go
white / opaque over time when left out in the sun. Hoses stored indoors still look great. Hoses I left outside on tanks have change enough that it is hard to see fluids in them now.

Here is a video of my transfer in action using the northern tool mitsubishi engine. It takes a little to load.

http://gallery.me.com/mhp#100040/IMG_1253&bgcolor=black

Bought one of the Harbor Fright clear water pumps for $40and used it for the first time Friday. Ran about 50 gallons of house water with some bleach through it to clean it all out and it worked great and emptying my 35 gal tanks in less than 4 min. each. It is rated to pull for 10' and push 115', that's a lot and I'm only pulling about 4' and pushing 8 so it's just dandy for me.

Per a suggestion here on Trader I put a foot valve at the pickup end so it stays primed until I unhook everything and bring in for the night. The downstream hose runs up through the shack wall at 9' and from there it's pitched downward to the top of the tank. Thought was to have it drain fully once the pump is unhookd, so far it's working.

Have no idea how long it will last, but my 2 cents says it's a pretty good start. Sure was easier with the half pint though - just go collect 30 gallons from 35 taps and you were set to boil for the next 5 hours...This new 2X6 is a thirsty little beast!