Posted on 06/22/2022 7:21:32 AM PDT by lucky american
I need help from my very enlightened freepers who have infinite knowledge and wisdom to help a woman out. I have a Harvest Right freeze dryer that needs a gasket and an oil/ water separator filter. I need to know the manufacturer and there is nothing on the pump to indicate who made it. Just the words Harvest Right. I called Harvest Right and they don't sell replacement parts and refused to tell me the make and model number. I can't afford a new pump and I'm very disappointed with the company. I can buy a whole new $3500 unit though. Any thoughts about what I should do?
Second row from the bottom, left side filters - Harvest Right replacement filters - look right?
One result is for Monti Roland, a "Southern Appalachian Mechanical Engineer That Loves Designing Products and Being Outdoors." He has a parts list on his site. He might be a good place to start. Start here --> Monti Roland
He found Harvest Right tech support to be good, but parts delivery slow:
Here is my experience with Harvest Right tech support.
Day 1 – Saturday – freeze drying quits and screen goes black. I login to Harvest Right website and create a tech support / trouble ticket
Day 3 – Monday – Receive email from Harvest Right and set up tech support call on Thursday
Day 6 – Thursday – Tech support call with Harvest Right to troubleshoot problem. Thankfully there is a workaround. There was a $45 charge for the tech support call
Day 14 – Parts ship from Harvest Right. Note it took 6 business days for the parts to ship
Day 20 – Parts scheduled to arrive
1-877-477-7278
You have remained silent for 16 years? Are you sure you are a woman?
See? That’s what I’m talking about. Our experienced, helpful freepers. That’s funny right there.
Thanks.
Yup. A good locally owned hardware store is a good place to start. If they don’t have the part, a knowledgeable person at the hardware store may know where to direct you. Perhaps a plumbing supply store.
Or a Appliance Parts store.....................
I cleaned the pump regularly. You take off the front and there’s a gasket on the back cover that connects to the body. I know what it needs, I haven’t been able to find the parts I need. The sites want a model number and I can even find that on the pump.
Or perhaps a cicada - never mind, that’s a 17 year cycle.
I'm not liking the Harvest Right warranty, right up front, for such a pricey piece of equipment.
Is there a webpage where you downloaded the parts list from Harvest Right?
If you direct me to the correct places, I can post pictures for you from their website and elsewhere, that may help us diagnose and solve your issue.
She hasn’t remained silent just her first article posting.
See comments on other article postings.
1. Are you using this unit a lot [well, not right now, of course. ]?
2. I saw a suggestion about using it in a basement or other cool area [a lower temperature to help the unit in its job]. Are you doing this?
Yes. I clean the front housing as directed. It does fill up with gunk . The removal of a few bolts The gasket needs to be replaced. The oil blew out of the oil air separator on the last batch and I think I ruined that because I needed a new gasket.
Typically, one of the best places to start when you want to repair something, and you are not completely sure how to do it... is YouTube. Others have faced similar issues with their Harvest Right freeze dryers and have shared how they overcame them.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Harvest+Right+freeze+dryer+repair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mPr8CtDq3A
I can post the transcript if you'd like.
He got a spare pump, too.
I have some skill as a mechanic [was a professional bicycle mechanic in my youth].
Are you still in NH?
Is that the one that Runnings sells?
Maybe they could help.
My sympathies. The new ones come with the permanent oil pump.
The older ones, seemed like a PITA. I know the small is $3500, medium- around 5K. Plus, 2 months fulfillment time on the freeze dryers.
I know people who freeze dry casseroles, meatloaf, yogurt, cheese, fruit. They think they are awesome appliances.
Out of my budget. With your huge investment, I hope you get the help you need to repair it.
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