If your slurry pump is belt driven, check the tension at least once a quarter. A belt that is too tight can cause damage to the light tandem motor bearing and once that bearing fails, the thrust bearing in the pump will begin to fail. Running the belt too loose can lead to poor performance and slippage, which can damage the pulley.
I like to use the Gates Tension Tester. It is a simple tool with instructions. An experienced ear can tell if the belts are too loose. They will make a fluttering sound. Before you start noticing bearing failure, a belt that is too tight may cause the motor to pull high current or the bearing temperature to rise.
If your pump is oil lubricated, check it regularly to make sure there is no water or product in the oil. If your seals are OK, regular oil changes will extend the life of any pump.
Water is bad because it can cause bearing and/or motor failure. Seals will leak naturally and a small amount of water will be fine. Large amounts of water in the oil will cause the oil to be milky white.
Your pump's design may already include some key features to help identify water in the oil. One such feature is a moisture sensor that will trip when there is too much water in the oil. Moisture in the oil is an early indicator of seal damage.
The first thing to check is the seals used on a particular pump. If you feel that the moisture sensor is giving false alarms, try adjusting the sensitivity setting.
Another thing to check is the set distance from the end of the probe to the housing.
Occasionally checking impeller clearance will allow for optimal performance. Consult your manual for the correct clearance. When checking the clearance, watch for excessive wear on the impeller and other fluid catching parts. Wear of the fluid-connected parts can cause an increase in clearance, which can lead to a decrease in performance. Wear can be caused by wear of the product being pumped or by the pump running off the pump design curve.
If the motor overheats, the sensor will trip and the pump will shut down until the motor cools. If the sensor is not connected, you run the risk of burning out the motor.
Our horizontal and cantilever pumps require a weekly check of the bearing temperature while the pump is running. Use a temperature gun to check the temperature of the bearing housing closest to the bearing.
While most pump bearings operate in the 140 to 170 F range, I recommend never letting the temperature exceed the 200 F maximum. Bearing temperatures can be a sign of excessive lubrication or the beginning stages of bearing failure.
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