Filter press shopping

[Mille705]

Good afternoon everyone.
I have decided to start shopping for a short bank filter press. I have priced a CDL, Westfab and a Smokey Lake. Any one have thoughts or opinions on which one we should get? I have never used one before.

[VTnewguy]

I don't think you could go wrong with any of those. I would make sure to get a air diaphragm pump instead of a gear pump. We have a Leader press and it works great.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Wesfab makes a good press at probably less cost than CDL but not 100% sure on that. I am sure CDL makes a good press too. We like our 7” Wesfab press. We have a gear pump, but if we got it new it would been with an air pump. We’ll replace it some day. Air pump is the way to go.
Smoky Lake makes nice stuff but their filter presses are stainless. Sounds good but must be pretty heavy. Some mixed reviews on their website but that happens to everyone.

[MISugarDaddy]

One thing for sure, once you get a filter press, whether it has a gear pump or an air pump, you will wonder why you waited so long to get one. We have a Wesfab gear pump model and it works great. If you go with an air pump, remember that you have to have add setting up a compressor in your filtering process. Not a big deal, but just one more thing you will need to get setup before you are ready to go.
Gary

[maple flats]

I have a Lapierre, started with a 3 bank, added 2 more a few years later. As said above, any brand is good, but opt for air diaphragm rather than gear pump. Mine was gear pump, brass, then regs changed making brass a no no. At that point I needed a pump anyways, the gears were worn. I had 2 options, SS gear or air diaphragm, I went with the air powered diaphragm and it is a whole lot better and far better control. My first year on it, I had a small 2HP pancake compressor right in the sugarhouse, it was loud. That summer I ran an air line underground to my shop (about 85' away). Now the compressor runs in the shop and it's much quieter in the sugarhouse. I can even hear myself think and I don't think very loud at all!
In the sugarhouse, on the air line I have a ball valve, a pressure reducer and a pressure gauge. The compressor runs at up to 135 psi, I regulate it down as much as I need and have full control of the pump speed.

[johnallin]

Clear Press from Leader gets my vote..I have a 5 bank but seldom, if ever, use more than 3.
I find that being able to see cake build-up and what's going on in the press to be an advantage.
What ever you do, don't listen to Fred...he's just jealous that Leader beat CDL to the punch. <big grin>

I run it on a Rolair JC20 oil-less compressor https://www.rolair.com/products/air-...and-carry/jc20.
It's comparatively quiet at <70db when running.

I have a Wilden P1/SSPPP/FSS/FS/SFS/0070 Stainless diaphragm pump that's rated Food Grade by the manufacturer. The end code 0070 designates that rating.
All may be overkill, but good "stuff" seldom wears out and I can feel good knowing I'm not introducing anything nasty into our syrup.

[ecp]

Does anyone have experience with the electric diaphragm pumps? They would be more cost effective in the long run and It would be quieter than air (which is what we have right now) my only real concern would be the speed. Filtering is a pinch point we cant really afford to loose capacity on right now, but if I could trade that tick tick tick sound of the air diaphragm pump for a quiet eletic motor I would be happy.

[Shaun]

Some of the presses I have seen have thicker plates than others. D&G comes to mind, I would think you can filter a fair amount more if the plates hold more DE.

[Sugarmaker]

I really like the Siro 12 inch canister system. I have a gear pump but one of these and a air pump would be my recommendation!
Regards,
Chris

[nymapleguy607]

Purchased a Dominion and Grimm 5 frame press this year with the electric diaphragm pump. I havent used it yet but looking forward to using it.