Bearing failure

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The picture is the install ? Right ?

Couldn't they get a welder out there and build some proper motor mounting brackets ? Seems it would be worth it for that size motor.
 
I see quite a few irrigation pump motors installed that way over here. I don't think they'll have any issues.
 
growler said:
The picture is the install ? Right ?

Couldn't they get a welder out there and build some proper motor mounting brackets ? Seems it would be worth it for that size motor.
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I think the concern is the horizontal configuration of the original setup being used in a vertical installation. Am I correct OP?
 
If the chains are all that is holding it in line with the pump, about 2 days before the coupling fails. <g>

Ball bearings will last about 40% as long for a motor running by itself vertical vs. horizontal with no loads other than the rotor weight.
 
junkhound said:
If the chains are all that is holding it in line with the pump, about 2 days before the coupling fails. <g>

Ball bearings will last about 40% as long for a motor running by itself vertical vs. horizontal with no loads other than the rotor weight.
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I was wondering about that. Motors mounted horizontally don't need to deal with the thrust forces that a vertical motor has to contend with.
 
ptonsparky said:
I warned the owner the motor bearings may not be suitable for this install and expect failure sooner than later. Any bets on life expectancy?
50 hp.

They tell me a roof will be installed over the top.
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I'm of the same mind as Cow, I've seen a couple of pumps like that run okay. The bearings won't last as long as a vertical pump motor. Usually this happens because someone thinks they are getting a good deal on a motor.


How many hours a day will it run?
 
It's possible that it is a vertical motor and was installed improperly when it was made to operate horizontally, but that's a long shot.

My guess is the farmer already had this motor and it probably is a horizontal motor. If that's the case and he uses it today instead of buying a new motor today, and he gets some service life out of it, he can defer buying a new motor for that long. In this case it's just a business decision to make.
 
mgookin said:
It's possible that it is a vertical motor and was installed improperly when it was made to operate horizontally, but that's a long shot.

My guess is the farmer already had this motor and it probably is a horizontal motor. If that's the case and he uses it today instead of buying a new motor today, and he gets some service life out of it, he can defer buying a new motor for that long. In this case it's just a business decision to make.
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It's no doubt a horizontal motor. And yes, farmers are an adaptive bunch.
 
ptonsparky said:
I warned the owner the motor bearings may not be suitable for this install and expect failure sooner than later. Any bets on life expectancy?
{Clipped}

50 hp.

They tell me a roof will be installed over the top.
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Obviously a horizontal motor because it has mounting feet on the frame. So assuming no thrust bearing, it won't last as long as it could for sure.

But given that it's on a pontoon platform with virtually no lift and the pump appears to be a horizontal pump with the end suction immersed in the pond, the vertical thrust may not be as bad as it would if it were a vertical turbine pump and if it has ball bearings, it may last years. Sleeve bearings though, probably less than an irrigation season.
 
Jraef said:
Obviously a horizontal motor because it has mounting feet on the frame. So assuming no thrust bearing, it won't last as long as it could for sure.

But given that it's on a pontoon platform with virtually no lift and the pump appears to be a horizontal pump with the end suction immersed in the pond, the vertical thrust may not be as bad as it would if it were a vertical turbine pump and if it has ball bearings, it may last years. Sleeve bearings though, probably less than an irrigation season.
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I would have to disagree with that statement. We have several vertical motors with that mounting configuration, so as to be adjusted up and down for depth of cut (side heads on a planer mill).
 
ActionDave said:
Do your planer motors have open drip vents in the same place as the motor in the OP?
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no,TEFC. Nor are they subject to water. I was not disagreeing with that particular motor, rather just the comment of it obviously being a horizontal motor because ​ of the mounting configuration. I have seen alot of vertical motors with that frame style.
 
Johnnybob said:
no,TEFC. Nor are they subject to water. I was not disagreeing with that particular motor, rather just the comment of it obviously being a horizontal motor because ​ of the mounting configuration. I have seen alot of vertical motors with that frame style.
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I was just curious. I've seen some Italian stuff out there that is off the chart whacko.

I saw a 480V single phase motor for the first time not too long ago.
 
Looks like a flange mount to me. The feet seem strange but it’s not uncommon to use the same horizontal stator yolk on a vertical motor.

flange-mount_zpsyzoj80ct.jpg
 
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