Surge Alamo pump and Releaser

[maple flats]

Clean the entire inside of the oil reclaimer with kerosene , rinse, then it should be good. Best to remove the porous stone filter and let the oil flow. Install a shut off for when not running or the pump will be full of oil and then won't turn. At the right RPM with those changes you should, with good vanes and a smooth bore, get about 24" vacuum, but if the oil stops it will get toasted.

[darkmachine]

I used brake cleaner the first time around I thought that would do the trick, it looked clean. Could it be sucking in debris from the vacuum controller? I assume the stone filter unscrews, i'll give it a try tomorrow. I spent so much time fooling with it i got behind on boiling, so i just left it off. One of the drawbacks of a one man operation. After tomorrow i should be all caught up on sap and i can think about turning the vacuum back on. I have about 500 gal of sap sitting, at least its in the cool.

[Bricklayer]

The stone filter is junk. I put a spin on automotive filter then a ball valve then a copper line bent up above the oil line in the reclaimer. This will stop the pump from filling with oil and the copper will help keep the oil cooler. Just a bit will trickle into the pump but not enough to cause any problems.
The delaval oilers are the best. The one I bought require another line from the Oiler to the bearings and flood line at the vac inlet. Do these out of copper as well.
I have a picture of it somewhere. I’ll try and find it. It was an Alamo 100 and way to big for my setup. So I sold it. But the pump stayed cool and would pull 28” no prob.

[Clinkis]

Here is pictures of my setup if it helps. As Bricklayer says, No stone filter, straight connection to reclaimer with shut off valve and a replaceable filter which I replace once or twice throughout the season. I run a drop every 5-6 seconds on each oiler and have consistently pulled 23-24” for the past 5 seasons.

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[Bricklayer]

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I eventually ended up putting copper from the bottom of the oilers to the bearings.

[darkmachine]

The intake to my pump is vertical so I'll have to pick up an elbow and some fittings to attach a third oiler. Do you just drill and tap the pump casting to add the third oiler?

[Clinkis]

I tapped the pipe that screwed into the casting. A lot simpler. Should put a brass swing check valve right after to prevent oil being sucked back into releaser when the pump is shut off. I know the picture I posted isn’t the clearest but you can see where I tapped the pipe right before the casting and put the check valve right after.

[darkmachine]

I'll have to check the casting to see if it's threaded on the inside. Currently it has a flexible hose clamped onto the outside of the casting, which i assume is the factory setup from it's days in a milking parlor. If it is threaded that would make my life a whole lot easier. I won't have to pull the whole pump off the frame and into the shop to do the job. My oil filter should be here today, and i already have the new oilers in hand so i hope to be up and running by noon today. It looks like i should be able to get another week or so of run if i don't run into any more issues.

[darkmachine]

New oilers installed, so nice to be able to adjust them. Also installed the filter upgrade. MUCH better. It took a little while to get the oil to start dripping but once it started it looked great and the vacuum is perfect. Next project is a temperature controlled switch to cut the pump on and off so i don't have to drive out there in the morning and evening and switch it on and off. Thanks for all the help everyone!!

[BAP]

Great to hear that you are up and running