Tried to save a day by skipping the silt screen check on the Ohio River job

Figured the current was strong enough to keep things clear, but a big piece of driftwood got through and jammed the pump intake. Cost me about $1,200 in lost time and a new impeller. My boss was not happy. Anyone have a good rule of thumb for how often you check those screens in fast water?

3 comments

3 Comments

xena5827d ago

Ever think "it won't happen to me"? My rule of thumb is that's exactly when it does. Learned that the hard way with a clogged intake last spring.

fionafoster7d ago

My old foreman in Pittsburgh always said check every two hours in fast water. He was right, it's just cheap insurance. @xena582 has a point about that feeling.

cameron_hernandez697d ago

Man, that's rough. @xena582 is totally right, that "it won't happen" feeling is a curse. Reminds me of a guy on a site who swore he didn't need to check his fuel filters because he used clean gas. Well, some water got in there somehow and his whole rig just died mid-pour. He was stuck for hours. It's always the thing you skip that gets you.