April 2009 Newsletter - Sent to over 1,400 subscribers

The Gorman Rupp 'Super-T' is a range of self-priming trash pumps designed for trouble-free operation in tough conditions, including pumping slurries and solids-laden liquids.

Australian Zircon came to AEM looking for a portable pumping solution to transfer dam water at their Mindarie mine site, and an 8" Gorman Rupp Super-T was just the ticket.

Australian Zircon's Mindarie Mine Manager Shaun Creswell
with a Gorman Rupp 'Super-T' self-priming trash pump from AEM

The 8" model has maximum capacity up to 180 Litres/second, and the twin vane impeller capably handles spherical solids up to 3 inches in diameter. The large volute design allows automatic repriming in a completely open system without the need for suction or discharge check valves.

With a range covering 3" to 10", flows up to 214 L/second, and total heads to 45m, there is a pump to suit most high-volume/low-head applications.

Drive options include close coupled, flex-coupled, or v-belt driven by electric motor, or as part of a packaged system like the Deutz engine-driven model pictured above.

For more information on Gorman Rupp Pumps and the Super-T Series Pumps, see the AEM website.

What are Non-Genuine Parts?

Non-genuine pumps and parts are manufactured by a third party, not the original pump manufacturer. The copier generally try to make their pump in the same shape, paint it the same colour and advertise it to provide the same performance as the genuine pump. The problem for the buyer is that they simply aren't getting "the same performance for a lower price".

How are they made so cheap?

Typically, cheap products are built by foundries, machinists and assemblers while genuine pumps (take Gorman-Rupp for example), are built by a team of hydraulic and mechanical engineers working in conjunction with production engineers.

Genuine pumps and parts are machined to within known tolerances, and are extensively tested before reaching the market. The non-genuine manufacturer simply "saves costs" by skimping on R&D and quality testing.

What are the hidden costs?

Let's say a 6" Gorman Rupp pump is purchased, consuming 22kW, and working an 8 hour day. A pump operating just 2 percentage points below it will cost an additional $320 per year. Over $3000 over 10 years. 5 percentage points, and you could be looking at a $7500 penalty in energy costs.

This isn't even taking into account premature wear which is common with inferior quality parts.

What about "cheap" parts?

We'd be outraged if a car dealer put inferior cheap Chinese parts into our car during an important service, wouldn't we? When confronted with the same scenario for your company's pump, this is something that you may have to face up to when it comes to handle breakdowns and excessive wear.

It's just not worth to consider the apparent "savings" by forgetting the above facts.

See AEM for genuine Gorman Rupp spare parts

Having said the above, don't discount a pump just because it is advertised as having similar performance to a well-known brand of pump.

PumpEng, an Australian company, was formed to create alternate pump components better suited to the harsh conditions typically found in Australia's mines.

Their range of Raptor pumps are similar to a world-renowned range of dewatering pumps, with a range of improvements:

For more information on the Raptor range of pumps, see the AEM website.

Ideal for BBQ's and Kebab rotisseries. Available in 1 or 3 rpm.

$210 inc GST

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