Tried running the dredge pump at 80% instead of full throttle for a week on the Mississippi job

My foreman told me to throttle back to save fuel. I figured we'd lose production. But we pulled the same yardage and burned way less diesel. I learned running wide open isn't always best. Anyone else tried backing off the throttle?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_joseph7d ago

80% is actually a good sweet spot for those pumps, not quite half throttle though.

hart.sage7d ago

Yeah @the_joseph you're basically running it at a lazy cruise pace then. 80% is like telling your friend you're 'almost ready' when you're still in bed. Once you go 100% for a season you can't go back, that half throttle life feels like you're stuck in a school zone. But hey, if the pump's still moving water who am I to judge your speed limits.

eva_thompson6d ago

Used to swear by running pumps at full tilt, thought anything less was leaving money on the table. Last summer tried dropping to 80% on my main well pump after seeing some guys online talk about it. End of season my electric bill was noticeably lower and the pump didn't have that heat stress feel it used to get. You got me rethinking my whole approach for next season. What kind of run time are you usually seeing at that setting?