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Three hours chasing a clog that was just a bent impeller blade
Took the dredge out on the Mississippi near Alton last Tuesday, and the suction dropped to maybe half capacity right after lunch. I spent three hours pulling hoses, checking the vacuum gauge, even had my helper climb down with a flashlight to inspect the intake screen. Turns out a bent blade on the impeller was letting just enough water slip past to cut the flow, and I only found it because I finally took the pump housing off at 4 pm. Has anybody else fought a mystery performance loss that turned out to be something that simple?
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julia55729d ago
Man, I feel that in my bones! Had almost the same thing happen with my old 6 inch pump two summers back. Lost suction on a job near the lock and dam, and I messed with the foot valve and every hose connection for half a day before my buddy said to just pull the wet end apart. One of the wear plate bolts had backed out and was rubbing the impeller, cutting my flow way down. You kick yourself for not checking the pump first, but it's always the last place you look. At least you found it before you ordered a whole new pump. Those bent blades will get you every time.
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