Pump Repair

Water is everything around Worland. There are about a half a dozen canal systems in this area, and all are managed by a board of directors. Dad sits on the Bluff Canal board, which runs past our place south of town. Most of the water is gravity fed off the river. But every so often there is an offshoot pump station that lifts water to higher plane and allows for more fields to be water. Well, sometimes those pumps go down.

Not your standard pump. This guy sits in a cistern and, along with a sister pump, raises water about 75'. Not long ago it started making a real rough sound. So Dad and crew pulled it out and had it repaired. Today we reinstalled it. 

The Bluff Canal begins about 15 miles south of Worland near Winchester. It is actually fed by the Upper Hanover Canal. 

This telehandler was indispensable. When the canals need repair, often local farmers donate equipment and personnel to help. After all, it's their crops that are dependent on getting the water going.  

Stand back boys. 

Here's the set up. The station has been around for decades, but rebuilt and maintained along the way. 

Electrician, Anthony Marcus, was on hand to help with the technical work. 

It fit in the hole fine, but wouldn't line up with the bolts. We think that running the other pump while this one was down allowed the manifold to creep forward. So we drained the system and put a 20 ton bottle jack against the manifold and made enough room to get the pump set right. 

Once bolted down, we brought in the pump motor. 

This 150hp bad boy runs off 480 three phase power. Hence, the need for an electrician.  

Anthony's boy, Brendon, was there when we needed him. Good work son. 

These big pump motors sit vertical so that the entire bearing surfaces carry the weight at all times. Verses horizontal pumps that only the bottom part of the bearing carries the weight. The drive shaft also runs through the length of the motor. 

Not their first rodeo. 

Hooking up the power was the final step before touch off. 

Once kicked on the water started to flow. 

About the only adjustment on these pumps is the packing. 

They allow a little water by to keep the drive shaft cool as it goes through the packing, which keeps pumped water heading in the right direction. 

Done.

Alls well the ends well. Most canal board members help make decisions. Dad also helps keep the water flowing. Definitely a man you want on your team. It can be easy to take the water in the canal for granted. But there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes. Dad and crew keep the pivots turning and the crops growing. To them, America tips her hat.