Just found out my cutterhead is turning 15% slower than spec...

I was checking the manual on a new job up near Lake Champlain and noticed the dredge pump RPM is way off from what the manufacturer says it should be for that material... Has anyone else found a big discrepancy like that in their logs?

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2 Comments

mary_schmidt5mo ago

Well, that's a pretty big swing to just stumble on. Have you double-checked if that manual's spec is for a different viscosity or solids content than what you're actually pumping? I'm curious if maybe the manufacturer's number assumed a lighter slurry.

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shane_williams5mo ago

Mary, I gotta push back a little on that viscosity idea. A 15% RPM drop is too big to blame on slurry differences. Most cutterheads are built to handle a pretty wide range of material without losing that much speed. I'd check the drive belt tension first, especially if it's a V-belt setup. A worn or loose belt can slip just enough to cause a big drop like that without making any noise you'd notice on the deck.

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