Hand filter press problem

[212Maple]

I have the same Smoky Lake set up and I have probably run 100 gallons through it in the past 8 months. I have never had that issue with my press. The only time I have a hard time pumping is when I get close to the end of a 15-20 gallon batch.

[maple flats]

I put my papers in upside down once but that filter press at the time had a gear pump. I never knew they were wrong until I went to clean the press and I saw that there were 2 extra holes in the papers. With a motor driven gear pump it had enough pressure that it just made it's own holes. I only did that the one time on 2 of the papers. Now I watch more closely. My press now has an air powered diaphragm pump.
Is it possible your papers were in upside down? Maybe then with a hand pump you didn't have enough pressure to have it punch it's own holes for the syrup to flow in and out of the plates.

[Mike Van]

Sam - You didn't by chance get your DE from amazon? I did, my mistake, the 'food grade' DE you get there is too fine, you need to get it from a maple products place, I got 10 lp from The Maple Guys and my problems went away. With the fine stuff, I could only pump a few quarts through, before the pump was too hard to operate. Just a thought.