Tool Kits for Hydra-Cell Pro Pumps

A great aspect of Wanner Engineering Hydra-Cell Pro pumps up to the D66 model/size is that you do not require any specialized tools for standard pump maintenance or repair. However, Wanner Engineering has designed several specialty tools which make it easier to maintain Hydra-Cell Pro pumps and it is possible to purchase these specialized tools by pump model/size. Wanner Engineering has a datasheet A03-991-2402 describing their tool kits, this article compliments their datasheet and will help you decide if you want certain tools or complete tool kits.

 

 

Using the complete tool kit applicable for all the D/F/G/M series pumps as shown above, following is a detailed explanation of each component.

 

1. Toolbox: provided when a complete tool kit is ordered. Complete tool kits actually have every tool applicable to all sizes D/F/G/M series pumps.

2. Inserter/Rotator: This serves two purposes, as an inserter it is used to install the pump shaft seals (Figure 2). Although these seals are not considered a wear item, if you are replacing hydraulic end components which requires removing the pump housing, it is recommended to replace the shaft seals. I have used various sized socket wrench ends before having a kit, the inserter is tapered and provided in the correct diameter to make seal removal and insertion easier, reducing the chance of damaging a new seal. This is used in conjunction with #5 the seal protector (Figure 1).
   
   As a rotator it helps grip the pump shaft so you can rotate it by hand. You do not necessarily need to rotate the pump shaft by hand, you can “jog” the pump if it’s attached to the motor and for the latest generations (Kel-Cell & Pro) there is no need to rotate the pump shaft at all for fluid end maintenance. One reason you would need to rotate the shaft manually is when you have completed hydraulic end service and are reassembling the cylinder housing to the pump housing.
   
   #7 is a rotator for hollow shaft pumps.

3. Lever: Used in conjunction with the seat puller #4. Each pump has 2 to 10 check valves located in the pump head and these valves eventually wear-out and need to be replaced. Many reclaimed water applications result in replacement after 9000 hours of usage, abrasive liquids may require more frequent changes. Refer to our article regarding valve wear for additional insight.
   
   The lever helps lift the seat puller directly out of the valve plate (the part of the pump the check valves are located). The check valve seat is precisely machined such that its outer o-ring seals tightly to the ID of the corresponding valve plate chamber. While it is quite easy to pop-out the inlet check valves where the valve seats are at the outer edge of the valve plate (Figure 4), the seats for the outlet check valves are recessed and can be difficult to dislodge (Figure 5). Without the lever and puller, you would remove the valve plate, flip it over and use a screw driver with light taps from a hammer around its perimeter to remove it. When using the lever and puller, you can leave the valve plate attached to the pump and “pulling” the seats out is easier.

4. Puller: Provided with the proper OD for each pump model, this can be inserted through the ID of the valve seat and enables you to either pull it out by hand or using the aforementioned lever to help dislodge the seat from the valve plate.

5. Seal Protector: Whereas the #2 Inserter helps push the shaft seals into the pump housing, the seal protector prevents damage of the shaft seal ID from the pump shaft as it is inserted.

6. Valve Plunger Holder: The pump diaphragms are attached to a “plunger” and “valve plunger” (a freely rotating component of the Hydra-Cell piston assembly) via a Phillips head screw. Thus, to remove the screw you need to hold the shaft firmly. This shaft does not extend far and would be difficult to grip with needle nose pliers. Each shaft has a hole through it and prior to having this tool, I’d insert a fine diameter Allen wrench or similar item which would prevent it from rotating and enabling unscrewing the retaining screw. There are “holders” for each size pump and the center portion is designed to fit into the plunger’s hole to hold it still. The holder tool is stiff and won’t bend as easily as a small Allen wrench might.

7. Shaft Rotator: Used for hollow shafted pumps, it enables pump shaft rotation manually as described in #2.

8. & 9. Plunger Guide/Lifter: The plunger is a disc shaped component which connects the diaphragm to the valve plunger and if it needs to be replaced (a non-standard, atypical situation), the threads of this tool match the threads of the screw used to affix the diaphragm to the plunger. This tool is used to either extend the valve plunger sufficiently to use #6 or is used to disconnect the valve plunger from the plunger when replacing the Hydra-Cell piston assembly or its components.

10. Assembly Studs: Used to draw the cylinder housing (containing the spring-loaded Hydra-Cell pistons) and the pump housing together after performing hydraulic end service. These are essentially properly threaded studs and nuts which enable you to slowly tighten the two housings together

 

The handiest and most commonly used tools for customers are the Lever, Puller and Valve Plunger Holder because those are all utilized when performing standard service on the liquid end side of the pump. While the check valves are the main “wear component”, diaphragms can be damaged due to excessive temperature, pressure or chemical attack. Some customers prefer to replace the diaphragms when replacing the check valves simply because it does not require much additional time or cost.

 

There is another handy tool that is not part of the “tool kit” and that is the Hydra-Cell Vacuum Priming Kit.

 

 

This hand-held vacuum pump with the specialized connectors to attach it to Hydra-Cell oil fill caps offers a very easy way to ensure there isn’t air trapped behind the diaphragms after servicing the pump. Once connected all you need to do is to create a 25 in. HG vacuum and let it sit for 15 minutes. Not only is this very easy, it is not a subjective process such as pressing against the diaphragm as the pump shaft is rotated by hand, “burping” the air from behind the diaphragm (for non-Kel-Cell and Pro designs) or requiring inlet pressure to ensure air is purged from the Hydra-Cell pistons.

 

We are always a phone call away to answer your questions! Additional articles related to pump aintence follow.

 

Related Articles:

• Description of wetted components in Hydra-Cell Pumps

• Oil used in Hydra-Cell Pumps

• Check Valve Wear Insights

• Troubleshooting Hydra-Cell Pumps

• How to Service a Hydra-Cell Pump