Choosing the right rotary lobe pump for your job is important. Keeping your rotary lobe pump in top running shape for a long life is equally, if not more, important. Vogelsang has five simple but vital tips to maximize your pump’s life and ensure it’s always in tip-top shape and working efficiently.

1) Stay on the Vogelsang recommended maintenance schedule.

• Startup: The pump needs to be rotated (at least one revolution), and nipples need to be greased.
• 10 operating hours: Check belt tension (for pumps with a belt drive) according to specifications.
• 20 operating hours: Tighten the screws to the motor unit, check quench liquid/buffer fluid, and change the gear oil.
• 200 operating hours: Check quench liquid/buffer fluid.
• 500 operating hours/minimum of three months: Check the gear oil.
• 2,000 operating hours: Check belt tension (for pumps with belt drive) according to specification, change the quench liquid/buffer fluid, and change the gear oil.

2) Start up, rotate and grease if your pump is out of service for 30 days or more. Doing this prevents seal faces sticking together, which will damage or destroy the seal; lobes sticking together and being damaged; and bearings not getting proper lubrication which can lead to extra bearing wear at startup, and possibly rust in the bearings.

3) Make things easier with custom tools. Vogelsang offers tools that make service and repairs easier. These include lobe pullers. Before you get started, you’ll find it best to have two lobe puller tools ready to go. The dimensions vary by model. Customer service can provide a part number to you based on your pump’s model or serial number. Although you can service a Vogelsang pump using standard Allen sockets, Vogelsang Allen sockets are designed with a special tip to prevent stripping the strain screws when using power or pneumatic tools. Stripping the stain screws will add a lot of extra time to a routine lobe change. A special seal carrier is a very simple tool to make removing Vogelsang’s block ring mechanical seal easily. The seal carrier is placed over the seal face. The small Allen screws are threaded into corresponding holes in the seal. The long screws are advanced to remove the entire seal in one piece. There are three carriers available to fit each pump series.

4) Attend service school. Vogelsang’s Service School is factory training open to all Vogelsang distributors, contractors, OEM or end users. These two-day schools are held in Vogelsang’s Ravenna, Ohio, facility. Vogelsang pays for lodging and food during the stay. (Attendees are responsible for transportation to and from Ravenna.) This is a hands-on training that includes demonstrations of various pump configurations and components. Attendees will disassemble and build a pump during the training. Each attendee will be tested on the information provided prior to completing the course. Certifications will be issued to all students who pass the course.

Can’t attended a service school? Vogelsang has monthly service webinars that cover specific topics and allow for you ask questions. View upcoming dates, times and topics for service webinars here.

Need tips now? Vogelsang’s YouTube channel has eight videos covering all standard wet-end service procedures for VX Series pumps.

5) Keep your O&M manual, Vogelsang service number and serial number handy. O&M manual updates are available on the Vogelsang website, as shown here. In addition, service specialists are available weekdays from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (ET) at 330-510-1557. You will need your pump’s serial number when calling. Click here to visit the Vogelsang Service contact page.

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