Pucks - Pump Leveling's Best Friend

Leveling pucks are machined surfaces used for aligning and leveling a pump baseplate or soleplate (referred to as 'baseplate' for brevity) before grouting, following the recommendations of API RP 686. The pump's leveling screws use these machined pucks to facilitate precise alignment. The advantage of using these pucks lies in their ability to provide a stable and consistent reference point, reducing the time needed for a pump installation project.

Two Pump Leveling Pucks

Whether you're installing a new pump or regrouting an existing one, integrating leveling pucks into your project can significantly enhance the precision and efficiency of the installation.

Why Do We Care About Alignment?

It's simple: a well-aligned pump lasts longer, vibrates less, and more efficient. It's truly surprising how many new pump shafts we've been machining lately. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something in the air—just take a look at this pallet stacked with junk pump shafts.

Junk Pump Shafts

Whether the failure was caused by bearings running hot and failing, leading to excessive wear on the internal bushings, or by some other factor, something undoubtedly dug into and ultimately destroyed these shafts. While wear and tear on these consumable components is anticipated, it's noteworthy that over half of these shafts exhibit damage, signaling a potential misalignment issue within the pump train (motor, coupling, or gearbox). Alternatively, improper positioning of the pump relative to the piping flanges could also be at fault. The forces exerted during the bolting of the piping to the pump can lead to warping of the casing, ultimately transferring stresses to the rotating parts and causing gradual damage over time.

Pump Train Alignment

When the pump is out of alignment, the system experiences vibrations beyond normal levels. This not only increases the temperature in the bearings but also adds stresses to the seals and the rotating assembly. Consequently, the bearings, seals, and bushings wear out or wear unevenly and at an accelerated rate. Ultimately, this can lead to the damage seen in the pump shaft, as illustrated in the following picture, or, in more severe cases, result in catastrophic failure.

Pump Shaft Destroyed From Poor Alignment

On the pumps inboard side (left side of the picture), the balls in the bearings came out of the races and dug into the shaft. Simultaneously, on the right side of the picture, a sleeve, seal, bushing, etc. dug into and created an uneven groove in the shaft. Unfortunately, this damage rendered the shaft beyond repair, necessitating the machining of a new one.

Why Leveling Pucks?

While any method to ensure that the base plate is perfectly level and aligned with the other components in the system is acceptable, leveling pucks facilitate this process by providing a firm, machined surface for the leveling screws from which to adjust. Furthermore, the use of leveling pucks is specified in the API recommended practice "Recommended Practice for Machinery Installation and Installation Design" (API RP 686). Once the weight of the pump is on the pucks, their design is optimized to minimize any further movement, simplifying and speeding up the process of leveling the pump.

The following video discusses the process of grouting a pump to a concrete pad and explains how leveling pucks are used in this process.

Interested in Leveling Pucks?

Contact Southeast Texas Pumps for any of your pump installation or leveling needs.

Attention Pump Repair Specialists on the Gulf Coast!

If you're involved in pump repairs in the bustling Texas Gulf Coast area, you're familiar with the unique challenges of maintaining equipment in our dynamic environment.

At Southeast Texas Pumps, we specialize in supporting professionals like you who are committed to delivering top-notch repair services. We're more than just a vendor; we're your partner in ensuring every pump repair meets the highest standards of reliability and performance. Whether dealing with a worn shaft requiring new sleeves, a defective Babbitt bearing, retaining rings, or a compromised seal, we have the expertise and resources to assist you promptly and efficiently.

Why Partner with Us?

• Expertise: Leverage our extensive knowledge of pumps and their components to enhance your repair solutions.

• Quality: Depend on our premium parts and meticulous fabrication to maintain your service standards.

• Speed: We deliver on time, as quoted. With us, delays for replacement parts are a thing of the past.