Keeping a keen eye (and ear) on your equipment pump’s performance is crucial to continue running smoothly. Here’s a simple guide to help you maintain your pump maintenance effectively:
Pump Maintenance Observation Checklist:
Vibration:
While all machines produce some vibration, excessive vibration can shorten your pump’s lifespan.
If you notice excessive vibration, stop operation immediately, identify the cause, and fix it.
Noise:
Listen closely for unusual sounds, especially when the unit is under load.
Identify the cause of the noise and take corrective action promptly.
Operating Temperature:
Expect the pump bracket to be warm during operation (up to 150°F is normal).
If the temperature is excessively high, stop the operation, find the cause, and correct it.
Keep an eye on bearing temperatures, especially after packing; excessively hot bearings may need replacement.
The pump should run at the temperature of the water it’s pumping.
Stuffing Box:
Check that the stuffing box and gland are not overheating during operation.
If heating is detected, adjust gland nuts evenly until water leaks in droplet form – 40 to 60 drops per minute.
Periodically verify cool operation and adjust gland nuts, as necessary, for proper lubrication.
Packing a Water Pump:
Starting a New Pump:
Before starting the pump for the first time, loosen and retighten gland nuts finger-tight.
Allow the packing to leak liberally initially, then gradually tighten gland nuts until leakage is 40 to 60 drops per minute.
Repacking:
Follow illustrations for proper repacking procedures.
Ensure adequate drainage in cold/wet weather to prevent freezing damage.
Provide shelter for the unit if possible and ensure proper ventilation.
Consider using a space heater to prevent condensation and corrosion in severe weather conditions.
Packing Replacement Procedure:
Removal:
Unfasten the hardware holding the Packing Gland in place and slide it back on the shaft.
Remove packing rings using commercially available Packing Hooks.
Remove any remaining rings, including metallic ones, in the same manner.
Installation:
Clean the shaft sleeve and Packing Gland before installing new rings.
Inspect the shaft sleeve for wear and replace if necessary.
Install new packing rings over the shaft sleeve, rotating each ring joint 90 degrees during installation.
Gently and evenly tighten gland nuts to seat the rings without over-tightening.
Start the pump and allow the packing to leak initially.
Gradually tighten gland nuts until leakage is 40 to 60 drops per minute.
With these simple pump maintenance steps, you can ensure your pump operates smoothly and efficiently, keeping your business running without a hitch.