General Pump Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is a key component in maximizing a pump's lifespan, not to mention cost savings, increased profitability, increased pump availability, improved productivity and decreased maintenance repair costs. Thus, it makes sense for pump owners and pump users to implement a comprehensive service and maintenance program.

To yield maximum profit, equipment must be operated properly. Effective service and maintenance keeps equipment working at peak efficiency; so service and maintenance should not be viewed as a strain on income. Rather, they should be considered a contribution to output. The key to a good service and maintenance program is preventive maintenance. This includes adjusting and tuning up equipment and detecting and correcting small problems before they become major problems.

Scheduled preventive maintenance is typically viewed as oil, fuel and air filter changes every 200 to 250 operating hours, as recommended by the manufacturer. While this is necessary, it also provides an excellent opportunity to perform a general machine audit that includes inspection of all wear components and to make replacements or adjustments as needed.

Good equipment maintenance requires that everyone share the responsibility. Field operators and mechanics must make sure the equipment is operated properly and that required maintenance intervals are performed. The supervisors must ensure that the proper maintenance schedule and procedures are completed by the mechanics. Finally, the purchasing or parts department must procure necessary parts, in advance, to avoid delays and downtime.

Having a manufacturer's trained service technician perform these tasks may increase the initial cost of the service when compared to using on-staff personnel. However, a trained technician will do
the job correctly and also identify components which are susceptible to failure, which avoids downtime and damage to other parts. This will reduce repair costs throughout the Iife of the equipment and result in savings much more than the initial cost of a service call.

General Pump Maintenance for Aggregates

During visual inspection of the pump, all areas of material buildup should be noted and removed after the unit is shut down. Look for and remove dust especially around the alternator, radiator, and control panel. Especially with aggregates, dust can create waterways and channels affecting electronic and non-electronic components. An air hose is the most effective tool to remove the dust buildup.

Often with the aggregates market the substance being pumped has varying pH levels. These high and/or low pH levels can cause extra wear on the pump. Thus, some pump manufacturers offer pumps with special materials such as bronze or stainless steel or with special coatings to prevent added wear, depending on the application. Hardened impellers, wear plates, and volute rings can also be helpful to lengthen the life of
the pump.

For pit dewatering, always be sure to use a strainer. This keeps unwanted foreign materials out of the pump. Some of the most common pumps used in pit dewatering are high head, high pressure pumps such as the Thompson Pump JSC series. Hydraulic submersible pumps also provide pumping power for common aggregate applications.

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