1 trash pump.suction hose

Installation and Adjustment of Packed Gland

Here is an installation and adjustment procedure for packed gland arrangement:

Remove all the old packing with packing hooks, being careful not to damage the shaft or sleeve. Clean the stuffing box and examine the shaft and sleeve. Replace any worn parts that are scored or deeply grooved.

Check the packing length. If it is not the correct length, then cut accordingly. Always cut the packing into individual rings. Never wind the packing into a coil in the stuffing box. Rings should be cut with a butt joint at 45 degrees. Cut rings by using a mandrel with the same diameter as the shaft in the stuffing box area. If there is no wear, rings can be cut on the shaft outside the stuffing box.

Hold the packing tightly on the mandrel, but do not stretch excessively. Cut the ring and insert it into the stuffing box, making certain that it fits the packing space properly. Each additional ring can be cut in the same manner.

Install one ring at a time. Make sure it is clean and has not picked up any dirt in handling. Lubricate the I.D. of each ring lightly. Start one end and then the other, butted closely. Work around circumference from either or both directions. Joints of successive rings should be staggered and kept at least 90° apart. Each individual ring should be firmly seated with a tamping tool. When enough rings have been individually seated so that the nose of the gland follower will reach them, individual tamping should be supplemented by the gland.

If a lantern restrictor is provided, make sure the lantern restrictor is installed under the flush water hole.

After the last ring is installed, bring the follower down on the packing and finger-tighten the gland nuts. Do not jam the packing by excessive gland loading. Start pump, and tighten the bolts until leakage is decreased to a tolerable minimum. Make sure gland bolts are tightened evenly. Stopping leakage entirely at this point will cause the packing to burn up.

Allow packing to leak freely upon startup after repack. Gradually reducing leakage during the first hour of operation will result in a better seal over a longer period of time. Tighten the gland nuts one flat at a time until the desired leakage is obtained, and the pump is running cool.

If you are having trouble with a pump that regularly blows out packing or is consuming too much seal water, give Jasper Engineering a call to see how we can help. Often slight adjustments can have a significant impact on your operation.