Well like the FX5 they are really stiff when new and like allot of parts they were never meant to be forced. Even my FX5 valves when having sat for months in the open position require controlled hand pressure back and forth pressure rocking until the seals brake loose allowing the valve to move. The real problem is that becasue the valve handles have so much accommodating palm leverage un-mechanically inclined people think they can just apply as much pressure as it takes as if the valve was made of solid brass, you just cant do that. I had a tenant complain to me that the lower drawers in the kitchen rental were defectively made overseas becasue when she pulled the drawers out to use them as step ladder stairs to stand on the counter-top they all brake beneath her and that's not the way cabinets are supposed to be made in America, what a great excuse.:uhoh:
My point is they are much weaker relative to a brass gate valves and maybe a little weaker then the FX5 gate valves but it doesn't mean you cant make this human observation and determine this determine the appropriate handling. I know first hand that its takes Vaseline on the spout O-rings to get the valves to click in all the way to the base while pressing in firmly on the lock button, some people complaining of leaks when only half way seated. Iv also heard people complain about the FX5 gate valves as well one person complained haveing to use a steel wrench only to snap the cheap valve handle and giving up never realizing it was their own fault. Perhaps the distributor is partially right, only time will tell, in the mean time however being the owner of seven FX5's I have seven spare gate valves as FX5's come with 3 but not becasue they brake, but wouldn't you know the FX5 gate valve is perfectly interchangeable and work perfectly on the CSF500, although a little smoother.
You yourself are taking about removing the CSF500 internal plumbing and installing an exterior dry pump, how much harder can replacement of a simple gate valve be that required no mods. We just have to have light handed patience when dealing with machines before we make a determination that the machine and not "the operator" is at fault.
My point is they are much weaker relative to a brass gate valves and maybe a little weaker then the FX5 gate valves but it doesn't mean you cant make this human observation and determine this determine the appropriate handling. I know first hand that its takes Vaseline on the spout O-rings to get the valves to click in all the way to the base while pressing in firmly on the lock button, some people complaining of leaks when only half way seated. Iv also heard people complain about the FX5 gate valves as well one person complained haveing to use a steel wrench only to snap the cheap valve handle and giving up never realizing it was their own fault. Perhaps the distributor is partially right, only time will tell, in the mean time however being the owner of seven FX5's I have seven spare gate valves as FX5's come with 3 but not becasue they brake, but wouldn't you know the FX5 gate valve is perfectly interchangeable and work perfectly on the CSF500, although a little smoother.
You yourself are taking about removing the CSF500 internal plumbing and installing an exterior dry pump, how much harder can replacement of a simple gate valve be that required no mods. We just have to have light handed patience when dealing with machines before we make a determination that the machine and not "the operator" is at fault.