Question about pump packing on the old dredge in Galveston

Used to repack the main pump every 200 hours. Did it by feel, just tightened until it felt right. Had a blowout last month that cost us a full day. Now I use a torque wrench set to 18 foot-pounds and check it every 50 hours. Anyone else have a better method for keeping that seal tight?

3 comments

3 Comments

eric_murray261mo ago

I read a post about torque specs for that exact pump. They said 18 foot-pounds is good, but to check for heat on the packing gland after a run.

fisher.adam1mo ago

Yeah, that's solid advice right there! I torqued mine to 18 and it ran smooth, but I still felt the gland after an hour just to be safe. Can't hurt to double-check.

graygonzalez1mo ago

That 18 foot-pound spec is a good call. I mean, it's the same thing I see with people just tightening a trailer hitch by feel until it "seems good," and then you see one bouncing down the highway. @eric_murray26 is right about checking for heat too, that's a solid backup. It's all about having a real number to hit instead of just a guess. Saves you from those random blowouts that wreck your whole plan.