5" Filter Press by Daryl

[mapleack]

Andy, and Jason and Gary,
Thanks for the hints. Rarely do we make more than 10 gallons a day. I guess if it stops at that point we will tear it down and clean it. I was going to leave the hoses permenetly attached to the filter press, maybe 4 feet on inlet and outlet?
Chris

For cleaning and storing purposes its easier if the hoses come off.

[Daryl]

Thanks for the input. I tried to get some more info from BLB but couldn't.
On new orders, I'll need to know what connections are needed.
Daryl

[Sugarmaker]

Andy and Daryl,
I will look at the brass garden hose fittings. Sounds like the way to go!
Chris

[waysidemaple]

One of these filter presses will be my major upgrade for next year. Quick question on the filter aid...what does that actually do. I know it helps with filtering but how. Im still a cone filter guy so im excited to get a filter press for next year.

[mapleack]

Thanks for the input. I tried to get some more info from BLB but couldn't.
On new orders, I'll need to know what connections are needed.
Daryl

When I first got the 5" press, probably 15 years ago, it had plastic barbed fittings. Everytime it was used the hoses went on, tighten clamps, use, loosen clamps, take hoses off, wash, back together. It was a pain. Then I came up with the garden hose fitting idea, you can get hose fittings with barbed ends to insert, clamp and leave in. It makes hook up a breeze. Also something to consider, everyone, on the suction side I made a "wand" out of 1/2" copper about a foot long to have a solid suction point. On the discharge side I made a 1/2" copper hook that hooks over the edge of my bottling tank. It helps make it easier for one person to use the press. If you have trouble with the hoses kinking at either end of the press due to the way you're positioning it, consider elbows as necessary to allow the hoses to hang without kinking.

[markct]

so daryl i saw you mention blb, i have an older 5 inch press that has a tag saying blb machine works but it has a channel iron frame and the plates rest against that, is this there newer design? i seperated mine from the pump so i could set the actual filter section right in a pan to keep spillage to a minimum, and just have a short hose and quick coupler to connect it to the pump, i like the way yours is made tho with the plates hanging on the rods so the drip pan can slide under

[Sugarmaker]

wayside,
I am surely not the expert but my "Casbohm" logic is: if you picture the particals of DE as intertwined microscopic jax [like the kids play with] then they have small gaps and openings and this is what helps the syrup flow through and the niter become trapped.
After writing this it looks more and more like I really dont know what the heck I'm talking about
Which reminds me I have to get some DE.
Andy,
I like the idea of the solid pick up going into my draw off dummping station and place I am going to mix in the DE. [I do need to have go from right hand to left hand as I move from one side of the rig to the other. Have to think about that and keep it simple.
On the output side of the filter press I plan to go into the 2.5 gallon plastic jugs for bulk storage. These will be on the lower level of a small stainless push cart that I have. So a spout or hook or something to keep it in the jug would be nice to avoid having the hose flop out and pump a bunch of hot syrup on my foot.

Regards,
Chris

[markct]

i didnt make a wand for mine, just put a aluminum camlock coupler on the end of the hose and the mating end on my drawoff valve of my finishing pan. just hook up the hose and pump away, i didnt need another thing, the wand, to try and hang onto while working the pump! works great, for the outlet i made a u shape from 5/8 od stainless tubing that i hook over the barrel or bottler

[Dennis H.]

I wonder how those quick connect garden hose connectors would work with hot syrup?

[Sugarmaker]

I thought of those too. ??
SM