Grizzly
04-05-2013, 05:14 PM
A Load of Balls! Bearings that is!
Okay Guys are you sitting comfortably?
I took over the maintenance of a site in January which has a major issue with it’s 4 evaporative towers.
Where at least 6 (That I know of!) of their water pumps have failed with either the bearings the shaft seals or the motors seizing.
According to the manufacturer there is no issue!
Or at least none that he is talking about
A brand new replacement I fitted in February failed in a matter of weeks.
So hears the story, no-one previously took up the mantle and questioned what was happening,
Basically when inspected it becomes apparent that these pumps have major bearing failure issues!
Whilst travelling around our region I have been discussing this with various site engineers.
The scenario is this:-
I believe there is an epidemic of spurious bearings, At best made out of cheap recycled steel in china.
Which have flooded the market Being packaged in genuine OEM packaging is no Guarantee!
Let me explain.
# My colleague whilst talking about this very subject, was told by the Engineering Staff of a well known very large Dairy group.
That they having purchased any new pump or motor, irrespective of how well known the manufacturer was.
Remove the bearings and replace with the same type, but purchased through their own supplier who has a proven supply record.
# I had a similar conversation with a site based Fork Lift Engineer.
Who has together with his colleagues, stopped ordering the French supplied OEM spares.
And now orders through a local bearing supplier, (Read proven source!)
Since doing this they have not had to replace 1 mast bearing, whereas before they were regularly having to be replaced.
# Again recently, whilst talking to a Site Facilities Engineer who is extremely experienced.
About the said problem replied!
Whilst he was part of a team, working for a huge International Telecoms component company in China.
Where they were there to inspect the quality of their Chinese component suppliers and issue the ISO 9000 accreditation.
Which enabled that manufacturer to supply the International Telecoms industry with ISO 9000 components.
Stumbled across a scam, where they turned up at the penultimate manufacturers factory a day earlier than scheduled.
To find the covers of the machines on this state of the art production line/ Factory.
Being removed and these machines being started up with components being stacked ect.
To give the illusion to the inspectors the following day that these were indeed the machines
Being used to produce the components that they were there to inspect and accreditate!
Whereas when their backs were turned or as was happening once issued with the accreditation. These parts were being produced with very cheap antiquated equipment elsewhere!
Apparently the same happened when they arrived early at their next scheduled Manufacturers site.
Back to the pumps!
# So I was recently walking through an Engineering workshop when I spotted an Impellor from on of the said water pumps.
“That looks like a it’s from **** cooling tower water pump?” I said!
“Yes they are Shi*! We have had 2 go in the last 2 years.” The site Engineer I was with replied!
“I can beat that I have one that has not even lasted 2 months!”
“Yes! But yours will have run 24/7 whereas ours only run occationally. The bearings are crap
The ball bearing cage has just failed and the whole bearing race has fallen apart!”
We both then went on to agree that there is indeed an issue with the bearing quality within these pump motors,.
Given that I have some sites with the same pumps that are 20 / 25 yrs old. In fact I have not even come across a case of a shaft seal failing BEFORE THESE 18MONTH OLD (Or less) ones.
Add it all together and component quality is becoming a huge issue irrespective of manufacturer.
# we have had the last 2 pumps that failed rebuilt locally from a motor rewind company with a proven track record.
More importantly a proven supplier of components!
Neither as of yet have any issues.
One of the 2 that I removed had seized, but the other had a badly leaking shaft seal.
When I looked at this I found at least ½” of linier movement when pulling upon the impeller.
No supprise why the shaft seal failed, I have it in my workshop at home so will update you all on the state of the bearings shortly.
Incidently a new set of bearings from the internet are around £5.00
I have yet to source a shaft seal, any ideas anyone?
Grizzly
Okay Guys are you sitting comfortably?
I took over the maintenance of a site in January which has a major issue with it’s 4 evaporative towers.
Where at least 6 (That I know of!) of their water pumps have failed with either the bearings the shaft seals or the motors seizing.
According to the manufacturer there is no issue!
Or at least none that he is talking about
A brand new replacement I fitted in February failed in a matter of weeks.
So hears the story, no-one previously took up the mantle and questioned what was happening,
Basically when inspected it becomes apparent that these pumps have major bearing failure issues!
Whilst travelling around our region I have been discussing this with various site engineers.
The scenario is this:-
I believe there is an epidemic of spurious bearings, At best made out of cheap recycled steel in china.
Which have flooded the market Being packaged in genuine OEM packaging is no Guarantee!
Let me explain.
# My colleague whilst talking about this very subject, was told by the Engineering Staff of a well known very large Dairy group.
That they having purchased any new pump or motor, irrespective of how well known the manufacturer was.
Remove the bearings and replace with the same type, but purchased through their own supplier who has a proven supply record.
# I had a similar conversation with a site based Fork Lift Engineer.
Who has together with his colleagues, stopped ordering the French supplied OEM spares.
And now orders through a local bearing supplier, (Read proven source!)
Since doing this they have not had to replace 1 mast bearing, whereas before they were regularly having to be replaced.
# Again recently, whilst talking to a Site Facilities Engineer who is extremely experienced.
About the said problem replied!
Whilst he was part of a team, working for a huge International Telecoms component company in China.
Where they were there to inspect the quality of their Chinese component suppliers and issue the ISO 9000 accreditation.
Which enabled that manufacturer to supply the International Telecoms industry with ISO 9000 components.
Stumbled across a scam, where they turned up at the penultimate manufacturers factory a day earlier than scheduled.
To find the covers of the machines on this state of the art production line/ Factory.
Being removed and these machines being started up with components being stacked ect.
To give the illusion to the inspectors the following day that these were indeed the machines
Being used to produce the components that they were there to inspect and accreditate!
Whereas when their backs were turned or as was happening once issued with the accreditation. These parts were being produced with very cheap antiquated equipment elsewhere!
Apparently the same happened when they arrived early at their next scheduled Manufacturers site.
Back to the pumps!
# So I was recently walking through an Engineering workshop when I spotted an Impellor from on of the said water pumps.
“That looks like a it’s from **** cooling tower water pump?” I said!
“Yes they are Shi*! We have had 2 go in the last 2 years.” The site Engineer I was with replied!
“I can beat that I have one that has not even lasted 2 months!”
“Yes! But yours will have run 24/7 whereas ours only run occationally. The bearings are crap
The ball bearing cage has just failed and the whole bearing race has fallen apart!”
We both then went on to agree that there is indeed an issue with the bearing quality within these pump motors,.
Given that I have some sites with the same pumps that are 20 / 25 yrs old. In fact I have not even come across a case of a shaft seal failing BEFORE THESE 18MONTH OLD (Or less) ones.
Add it all together and component quality is becoming a huge issue irrespective of manufacturer.
# we have had the last 2 pumps that failed rebuilt locally from a motor rewind company with a proven track record.
More importantly a proven supplier of components!
Neither as of yet have any issues.
One of the 2 that I removed had seized, but the other had a badly leaking shaft seal.
When I looked at this I found at least ½” of linier movement when pulling upon the impeller.
No supprise why the shaft seal failed, I have it in my workshop at home so will update you all on the state of the bearings shortly.
Incidently a new set of bearings from the internet are around £5.00
I have yet to source a shaft seal, any ideas anyone?
Grizzly