Has your Red Lion transfer pump been feeling a little flat lately? It could be due to the pump needing a little maintenance. Keeping up with the needs of your pump ensures that it stays in good working condition. It is true that modern pumps are reliable and rarely need extra care. However, as they age, they will need a “check-up.”
The Different Types of Pump Maintenance
This fact may come as a shock, but there are different types of maintenance depending on what your pump needs. Even your Red Lion Water Transfer Pump is not immune to needing a tune-up now and then.
- Corrective Maintenance: Corrective maintenance involves repairing or replacing parts as needed.
- Preventive Maintenance: It’s exactly what it sounds like. You should take preventive maintenance regularly to ensure that your pump doesn’t run into any problems in the future. This kind of work may include routine inspections and adjustments.
- Predictive Maintenance: Predictive maintenance applies the use of sensors and equipment to monitor the pump’s condition in real-time. With the help of the sensors, you will be able to detect potential problems before they become serious. Remember that this kind of maintenance can be costly and unsuitable for smaller pump systems.
- Condition-Based Monitoring: Condition-based monitoring is actually on the newer side when it comes to water pump maintenance. This maintenance type uses the data from the sensors from predictive maintenance to assess the condition of the pump and equipment. The information is then gathered into a customized maintenance plan tailored to your specific needs. Since the care is customized, it can be more effective than traditional water pump maintenance. However, similar to predictive maintenance, it will be more costly.
Daily and Monthly Checks
If some of these types of maintenance are too costly for you, there are ways to keep your water pump running smoothly without breaking the bank. You can do a daily or monthly maintenance checklist of your water pump.
Daily List:
- Check the pump exterior for any leaks
- Clean the pump
- Listen for pump vibrations or any unusual noises
- Check for any foaming or oil discoloration
- Make sure the bearings aren’t overheating
- Check the gaskets for oil leaks
- Inspect the self-flush pumps
- Clean bearing covers as needed
- Check the cooling system
Monthly List:
- Top off the oil of bearing reservoirs as needed
- Clean oil bulbs and level windows
- Check the pump guards and replace them as needed
- Clean the bearings and grease them.
- Check that the hydraulic governors are working properly
- Clean the whole pump system and system surroundings
As you can now see, a lot of work goes into water pump maintenance. Hopefully, this little blog gives you a clearer understanding of how to go about it. Keeping on top of your water pump’s maintenance will ensure that it has a long life.
