How to handle bulk molasses
Molasses is a thick, sticky substance commonly used as a feed supplement for livestock.
A molasses gear pump and handling system is the most efficient way to feed out bulk molasses to livestock.
Molasses is a dark, syrupy byproduct that thickens considerably when exposed to cold. The American expression "as thick as molasses in January" could be adapted to "as thick as molasses in June" in Australia.
Some choose to fill molasses cartage tanks using gravity, however, pumping is a faster and more efficient method, particularly in winter.
Choosing to gravity feed molasses presents a set of challenges.
Gravity feeding requires many man hours spent monitoring the filling of tanks.
The process becomes lengthy in winter when molasses thickens, so there is a greater chance of molasses spillage if the person filling the tank walks away and forgets to close the valve. Molasses spills are costly and messy.
It's a mucky process – heavy hoses filled with molasses must be dragged in and out of tanks.
A molasses gear pump eliminates these problems and streamlines the molasses feeding process.
For larger-scale molasses storage and handling, the fixed SmartFlow system is a favourite. This system uses a molasses pump, manifold, standpipe and storage tanks to store and pump bulk molasses easily, quickly and without mess.
For smaller-scale molasses handling, Rotoflo mobile molasses pumps offer a neat, transportable solution. The smaller 50mm Rotoflo unit has an optional standpipe attachment for filling cartage tanks.
The SmartFlow system incorporates a molasses gear pump with various drive options as well as a manifold, storage tanks and standpipe.
Bird's eye view of a SmartFlow molasses handling system with PTO-driven molasses gear pump.
The petrol drive Rotoflo molasses pump is a transportable molasses pumping unit.
A Rotoflo mobile molasses pump unit with a standpipe attachment for easy unloading.