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Author	Comments
Linerman Posted: Dec 02, 2008 07:21 PM	How often do you guys rebuild your pumps, both displacement and feed pumps?
Bubba Pallo Posted: Jan 28, 2009 09:55 PM	You should see a minimum of 1 year between rebuilds on any properly maintained pump, transfer or proportioning, no matter the usage. 2 or more years is not uncommon. If you're rebuilding more often than once per year, business is either really really good, or your preventive maintenance program needs some work. On transfer pumps, stick or diaphragm, clean the dirty grease and water out of the air motor with a clean lint free rag and re-lubricate with a light coat of white lithium grease. Do this quarterly or as needed. Also on stick pumps keep the rod clean and if it has a wet cup / packing nut keep it just tight enough to prevent leakage and fill 3/4 full (when rod is down) with DOP or equivalent. This will prolong the throat packing and rod life. The "A" side proportioning pump life is dependent on the care you give the fluid in the lube pump bottle (if applicable). Change the fluid when it turns milky white just before it starts to thicken. If the fluid turns brown your throat packings are leaking and you should rebuild the "A" pump ASAP. Make sure the plasticizer in the bottle is circulating when the pump is pumping. If it's not circulating it's not doing you any good. Troubleshoot ASAP and repair. For the "B" side proportioning pump, keep the rod clean. If it has an adjustable packing nut keep it tight enough only to prevent polyol seepage. Fill the packing nut 3/4 full with DOP. If it's a Graco E series machine, add a few drops of TSL to the throat felt in the "B" side packing nut every spray day. Keep your inlet strainers clean to prevent contaminants from entering the pumps and scoring the cylinder wall, piston seat, foot valve seat and the displacement rod. Inspect the cylinder wall and displacement rod for pitting and scoring every time you're in a pump. Also check the piston seat and the foot valve seat for scratches, chips and uneven wear. If you can catch a fingernail on a scratch or pit and you can't work it out with fine emery cloth, replace it. If you don't it will cut your new packings, leak internally and will affect your production in no time.
Posted: Feb 07, 2009 08:08 PM	(bubba,,this is one of the most informative posts i have read in some time...cudo's man keep up the good work)

Author

Comments

Linerman

Posted: Dec 02, 2008 07:21 PM

How often

do you guys rebuild your pumps, both displacement and feed pumps?

Bubba Pallo

Posted: Jan 28, 2009 09:55 PM

You should see a minimum of 1 year between rebuilds on any properly maintained pump, transfer or proportioning, no matter the usage. 2 or more years is not uncommon. If you're rebuilding more often than once per year, business is either really really good, or your preventive maintenance program needs some work. On transfer pumps, stick or diaphragm, clean the dirty grease and water out of the air motor with a clean lint free rag and re-lubricate with a light coat of white lithium grease. Do this quarterly or as needed. Also on stick pumps keep the rod clean and if it has a wet cup / packing nut keep it just tight enough to prevent leakage and fill 3/4 full (when rod is down) with DOP or equivalent. This will prolong the throat packing and rod life. The "A" side proportioning pump life is dependent on the care you give the fluid in the lube pump bottle (if applicable). Change the fluid when it turns milky white just before it starts to thicken. If the fluid turns brown your throat packings are leaking and you should rebuild the "A" pump ASAP. Make sure the plasticizer in the bottle is circulating when the pump is pumping. If it's not circulating it's not doing you any good. Troubleshoot ASAP and repair. For the "B" side proportioning pump, keep the rod clean. If it has an adjustable packing nut keep it tight enough only to prevent polyol seepage. Fill the packing nut 3/4 full with DOP. If it's a Graco E series machine, add a few drops of TSL to the throat felt in the "B" side packing nut every spray day. Keep your inlet strainers clean to prevent contaminants from entering the pumps and scoring the cylinder wall, piston seat, foot valve seat and the displacement rod. Inspect the cylinder wall and displacement rod for pitting and scoring every time you're in a pump. Also check the piston seat and the foot valve seat for scratches, chips and uneven wear. If you can catch a fingernail on a scratch or pit and you can't work it out with fine emery cloth, replace it. If you don't it will cut your new packings, leak internally and will affect your production in no time.

Posted: Feb 07, 2009 08:08 PM

(bubba,,this is one of the most informative posts i have read in some time...cudo's man keep up the good work)

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