Although choosing the right GIW pump for your application is important, it’s also important that each pump is properly installed and maintained. A key part of installation and maintenance of GIW pumps is moving pump parts into place. Despite their reputation for great performance in rough conditions, GIW pumps are precision equipment, and care has to be taken in moving pump parts.Lifting devices are essential equipment for any operation that uses slurry pumps. Lifting, moving and installing impellers is a huge job, and one that could be hazardous without the correct equipment.

A lifting device is a steel component that is installed below the hook, that is, between the crane hook and the part to be lifted. Lifting devices are designed for specific parts or families of parts, taking into consideration the orientation, weight and center of gravity of each part. The lifting device holds the part in the correct position for installation so it can be moved right into place. GIW lifting devices are designed, fabricated and tested by outside manufacturers that conform to specific design and fabrication standards. Below-the-hook lifting devices are governed by specifications issued by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Welding Society (AWS).

The particular standards are ASME B30.20-2006, ASME BTH-1-2008 and AWS D14.1/D14.1M:2005. Under ASME BTH-1-2008, GIW uses design category B and service class 0 unless otherwise requested. Design category B is designated when the magnitude and variation of loads applied to the lifter are not predictable and where the loading and environmental conditions are severe or not accurately defined. The service class specifies the number of load cycles or lifts. Service class 0 is 0 to 20,000 lifts. The lifting devices provided by GIW are not designed for or intended to lift personnel or to transport parts directly over occupied areas.

Lifting devices are available as an option when ordering new pumps or from GIW part sales for existing equipment. GIW offers lifting devices for a variety of its parts, including:

• impellers, both closed and open shroud impellers
• shells
• suction plates and liners
• stuffing boxes
• shaft sleeves

In order to identify the correct lifting device for a pump assembly, the following information is needed:

• customer market
• specific pump assembly number or serial number
• the pump discharge position
• the maintenance room available above and in front of the pump assembly

Lifting device designs have to take into account the pump discharge position clearance and, on some pump assembles, the suction plate clearance. For example, to accommodate impeller designs in 2,102 pump assemblies, there are 70 impeller lift device designs for standard impellers, 10 for open shroud impellers and 20 adjustable lift device designs for high specific speed impellers.