PSA: My main pump impeller cracked on the James River job last Tuesday

Honestly, it was a 14-inch Ellicott pump, and the thing just gave out after we hit a patch of really dense clay. We had to shut down for a full day while we pulled it and welded a temporary patch, which cost us about $2,500 in lost time. Anyone have a better source for heavy-duty impellers that can take that kind of abuse?

2 comments

2 Comments

charles_coleman1mo ago

That's rough, but a 14-inch Ellicott pump shouldn't crack from dense clay alone. Those are built for way worse. Did you check the suction screen before the run? A small rock or piece of rebar could have gotten through and jammed it. A temporary weld is a good fix to get going, but it changes the balance. You'll want a full replacement soon to avoid shaking the whole pump apart. Have you talked to Ellicott directly about what might have caused it?

claire_hayes351mo ago

Actually @charles_coleman, a bad weld can be balanced if it's done right, but yeah, a new part is still smarter.