PSA: Heard a guy at the supply yard say 'bigger pump always means better production' and I gotta disagree

I mean, maybe it's just me but that's a fast way to burn fuel and wear out parts. I ran a 12 inch pump on a sand job in Mobile last year when an 8 inch would've done it, just because it was on the barge. We moved maybe 15% more material but our fuel costs went up by almost 40%. It's not just about the size, it's about matching the system to the material and the distance. Has anyone else had to talk a project manager out of over-speccing a pump just because it's available?

2 comments

2 Comments

brookepark20h ago

Yeah that's a solid point... used to think bigger was always the move until I saw a pump just churn itself to bits on slurry it was way too strong for. Matching the job makes way more sense.

rivera.henry18h ago

Right, "churn itself to bits" is the perfect way to put it. My buddy tried to use a massive shop vac for a flooded basement, the thing was so strong it just welded the fine silt into a solid brick inside the filter. He spent hours chiseling it out. Total overkill for the mess he had.