Causas comunes de avería de la bomba de agua

The centrifugal pump is a critical part of your water truck build. When it’s operating at peak efficiency, so are you. If you are using a lower quality competing brand’s water truck water pump, buyer beware. Cheaper quality pumps are more prone to failure when your water truck sees heavy use. Water pump failure can cost you time, money, and potentially bring your operation to a halt. In the words of Tony B., National Sales Manager of Access Truck Parts, “Time is money! Downtime is not an option.”

What should you focus on to prevent a catastrophe? Are there common points to look out for when troubleshooting an issue with a PTO driven or hydraulic water pump? Let’s find out below.

Dry running your centrifugal water truck pump serves as the #1 cause of failure.

Not Greasing Your Pump

Dry running your centrifugal water truck pump serves as the #1 cause of failure. According to Tony, once “the bearings get hot and seize, the show is over.” This might seem like a small detail, but neglecting this simple step can quickly lead to dry running, internal wear, and even catastrophic failure. A damaged pump could cost your operation thousands of dollars in downtime, so how can dry running be prevented?
The solution is simple. To prevent dry running your pump, simply grease your pump as part of your daily walk around before each workday. Choose a high-temperature, water-resistant grease that’s rated for use in automotive applications. Add grease to the grease zerk fittings on your pump and PTO shaft. These grease zerks are typically located near the shaft housing or bearing assemblies, as shown below.

Pump Shaft Issues

Another thing to watch is the Eje de la bomba. This is one of the main points of stress in any centrifugal pump system. There are many factors that can lead to a broken shaft. Continue reading below to learn about the most common issues that can contribute to water pump shaft damage, and steps you can take to reduce the probability of failure.

Golpe de ariete

When operating a fluid dispersal system, there is risk of shock to that system from hydraulic forces exerted by the fluid being pumped commonly referred to as a Golpe de ariete. When valves are shut off at high RPM, a shockwave can be sent back down the pipes to the pump; this can exert shearing forces on your shaft and potentially bend or snap the pump shaft.

You can prevent this by lowering the engine RPM before shutting off the valves. To further protect against Water Hammer damage, you can install a válvula de alivio para ventilar el exceso de presión y evitar que llegue a su bomba.

Desalineación y fallo de la bomba de agua

One of the most common causes of pump shaft damage is misalignment of the PTO and the pump. A frequent assumption when installing a new pump is that the pump and the PTO should be perfectly aligned with each other. This may make sense in theory, but in practice it can be a source of strain and eventual failure of your system. Proper installation requires a slight offset between the angled PTO and the pump. The difference in position is then compensated for by the driveshaft and U-joints used to connect the PTO to the pump.

However, too much deflection or misalignment can be catastrophic. When the distance between the PTO and pump becomes too great or the angles are too steep, it puts excessive strain on the U-joints and driveshaft. This misalignment leads to vibration, irregular rotation, and audible knocking during operation. Over time, the added stress can cause premature wear on bearings, crack housings, and even shear shafts.

To avoid this, follow the recommended mounting distances and make sure your shaft angles stay within tolerance. Installation of the water pump within the PTO driveline manufacturers specification for how many degrees of angle is acceptable. A properly aligned setup minimizes vibration and extends the life of your pump system.

Vibración

Vibration is never good for any mechanical system and puts unnecessary strain on your entire pump. One of the most common causes of vibration is cavitation, a condition where vapor bubbles form and collapse inside the pump, often due to insufficient inlet flow restrictions. Other contributors to vibration include excessive RPM, impeller imbalance from blunt force damage, or operating outside the pump’s optimal efficiency range. Left unchecked, vibration will lead to pump bearing wear, allowing the shaft to shift laterally from its mounting position. Over time, this flexing leads to shaft fatigue and eventual failure.

Cavitation can be prevented by ensuring proper inlet flow, avoiding dry running, and keeping all fittings airtight. Use the correct hose size, stay within the pump’s rated RPM, and clean screens or filters regularly. Most importantly, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to keep the pump operating within its optimal range. These small steps go a long way in avoiding vibration and costly damage.

One of the most common causes of vibration is cavitation, a condition where vapor bubbles form and collapse inside the pump, often due to insufficient inlet flow restrictions.

Reduce Downtime w/ Access Truck Parts’ Pumps

These are only some of the most common factors that can lead to water pump failure. So, you have a broken water pump; what now? Access Truck Parts has served the water truck industry for decades and is Your One Stop Water Truck Parts Solution! Why Choose us? Our pillars that we live by are: quality, pricing and service.

• Quality – We are the premier supplier of water truck parts. You will not find a more high-quality water pump on the market! Our products are built to strict compliances and specifications to ensure they are built to last. They serve as direct replacement for Berkeley Water Truck Pumps. Join the industry giants that already use our water pumps and have peace of mind on your next job.
• Pricing – We are the manufacturer of our products. Because of this, we dictate the price. We understand how in these volatile times, inflation can be a headache. Our prices are competitively priced so you can get your truck working again without breaking the bank.
• Service – If you call one of our competitors, you may be waiting on the phone while you lose money every second your pump is out of commission. Or, you may not even have a direct line to reach a real person! At ATP, we have a dedicated customer service team ready and waiting to get your water truck fleet back in tip-top shape!

Need more reasons to choose us? We offer extensive guides to educate you. Download our Guía de bombas centrífugas para más información sobre las prácticas de mantenimiento adecuadas. Con un cuidado adecuado y un funcionamiento consciente, la vida de su bomba y su eje será larga y fructífera.

You can also watch our collection of YouTube videos, which our subject matter expert Tony walks you through the ins and outs of water truck parts! Subscribe now!