Plunger Pump Maintenance

Critical Pump Component Maintenance Check list

The following critical components check list are essential to the proper functioning of your plunger pump.

Connecting Rods

It is important that the connecting rod eccentric bearing receives adequate lubrication to avoid excessive heating and scoring of the bronze insert.  When the pump is first placed in operation, flush the rod bearing with oil from a hand oiler in addition to the oiler feed.  When the pump is operating satisfactorily, adjust the oiler on the connecting rod as indicated here.

Standard Sight-Feed Oiler

This oiler requires manual opening when the pump is started and manual closing when the pump is shut down.  Oiler is open when lever is vertical.  To set the oiler to the proper flow rate, fill with the correct grade of oil.  Lift lever to the vertical position, loosen the larger nut by turning clockwise, and now turn the nut under the lever clockwise until the flow of oil stops.

Reverse this procedure until the oil flows at the desired rate as described in the lubrication guide chart.  To lock the flow at this point turn the lower nut counterclockwise until it contacts the upper nut, tighten.  The oiler must be manually operated each time the pump is activated.  Further adjustment should not be required.


Wrist Pin Lubrication

When starting a new pump cover the wrist pin bearing half way with oil from a hand oiler, using same oil as at top of rod.  After pump is in operation, surplus oil running down the rod will maintain this oil level.  The wrist pin may be wholly or partially covered with oil.  If water enters the plunger and floats the oil above the wrist pin, this water must be removed through the plunger drain.

Packing Information

Pumps are shipped with standard graphite impregnated braided flax packing installed, for hydrostatic testing and storage purposes.  Wastecorp's sludge pump leak-free packing system is shipped loose with the pump(s) and must be installed by customer when ready for use.

Wastecorp. Pumps recommends leaving standard packing in place for operation until replacement is necessary.