Tried a different pump speed on the old Erie Sand Sucker and it clogged way less

I mean, I was working on a channel clearing job near the Willamette last month and the intake kept getting jammed with river grass. On a hunch, I dropped the pump from 1200 rpm down to about 900, idk, maybe it's just me but the suction felt smoother. It pulled slower but way more steady, and we finished the section without a single full stop. Has anyone else messed with pump speeds to handle different bottom junk?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancy_west19d ago

Honestly that makes a lot of sense for the river grass. Did you notice if the slower speed changed what kind of sediment you were pulling up, like did you get less of the fine stuff and more of the heavier junk? I've always just cranked it to max and fought the clogs.

kai83919d ago

It's like when you turn down a fan to stop it from rattling. Sometimes the slower, steadier pull just works better with messy stuff. I see it with my shop vac at home too, full power just wraps cords around the brush.

rosecarr19d ago

Ever try the medium setting first? I found that sweet spot where it pulls steady without sucking up all the mud. You still get the heavy stuff like rocks and thick weeds, but it leaves most of the silt cloud alone. Crank it to max after that just to clear the hose. Saves your pump and you aren't fighting a clog every five minutes.