This year I'm up to about 400 taps and am using an RO to 8% and boiling on a 2x6 Leader Patriot and have a goal of 100 gallons of syrup. I've always used cone filters and I hate them so much. I hate washing them, and this year, I hate how they can't keep up with my more frequent draw offs because of boiling concentrate. I typically draw off between 5-8 gallons a day. I have no problem with the idea of holding a couple of days worth of syrup to warm back up to use a filter press (can dropping a color grade be an issue though?) so in theory I may be filtering about 15 gallons in a day (my canner holds 16). Here are my concerns: 1) I don't want a hand pump press. That just dosn't look like fun and I may expand in the future. 2) In fear of them being "outlawed", I don't want to waste $ on an Orberdorpher pump, even though Orberdorpher is a fun word to say. I hear they wear out too and I don't want anything I have to diddle with that often 3) Air pumps are holly cow expensive and then I have to get an air compressor and plumb that but I'm thinking that might be the way to go. I really like the idea of the Leader 7.5" press, although spending $2K on a filter press seems like quite an investment. I'm hoping to make syrup for several years (God willing) so it might not be so terrible spread out over the next 20some years. I've seen D7G has an electric Flowjet pump. Is that a cheaper/easier non lead alternative to the air pump? It says in the book "new for 2018" has anyone tried them??
I really don't know what to do and I appreciate any advise that anyone may have for me.