Macerators and Grinders: a common pump design that is commonly misunderstood

A submersible pump which contains a grinding / macerating action are designed for applications where the statis head and / or lateral distance to be pumped are high and required discharge flow rates are low. The macerator / grinder breaks down the pumped medium so that the liquid can be transferred via a smaller bore discharge pipe, therefore retaining pressure within the pipe work and reducing the need to large kw motors, where as a larger kw motor would be required on alternative solids handling pump units which handle sewage waste as a whole without the need to macerate. Grinders / macerators are great when new, all the cutting blades are sharp yet unless they are maintained frequently and exposure to common flushed items such as wipes, sanitary products are reduced, the blades deteriorate and this type of pump therefore increases the risk of blockage and system failure.

How do macerator pumps work?

A macerator pump works by breaking the solid matter suspended in the liquid using a rotating shredder. This rotating system shreds the solids before they are passed through the pump.

What is a macerator pump?

A macerator pump is a submersible pump fitted with a cutting system in the suction side of a pump allowing the pump to handle a heavier application.

How do you clean a macerator pump?

With the pump isolated, rotate the pump 180° to gain access to the suction side of the pump, inspect for any debris caught up in the mechanism and carefully remove with a suitable tool, rinse with pressured water to clear the loose debris.

How do you replace a macerator pump?

Contact one of our team with your model type or duty details, and we can assist with finding the correct replacement.

How do you install a macerator pump?

A macerator pump can be installed using an auto coupling kit or freestanding base as you would with a standard submersible pump.

Can a macerator pump discharge up an incline?

The maximum head/lift is listed on the datasheet as with any pump. This is the same for a macerator pump and can be matched to your application by one of our team.

Can you pump macerated waste?

Macerated waste can be pumped. All sewage pumps have a maximum free passage that determines the size of the solid it will freely pass.

Do I need a grinder pump for sewage?

A grinder pump is not always required for sewage applications. A grinder pump may only be required should the solid contents need reducing to suit the existing pipe size.

How long do grinder pumps last?

Pump longevity is determined by the service program on-site, for uninterrupted working hours, and regularly scheduled maintenance is highly recommended.

Grinder and Chopper Pumps

Robust and reliable grinder and chopper pumps to suit every purpose. Our range of grinder pumps has been specifically produced for wastewater and industrial applications. The cutting system is constructed of hardened steel with three blades that cut on an eight-hole cutter plate that rotates at 69,000 per minute, which is then taken into a multi-channel impeller.

Our grinder and chopper pumps are suitable for almost any housing, industrial, sewage treatment, agriculture, transport, biogas, food processing, agricultural, and environmental applications. We can also offer standard motor or full ATEX-approved grinder pumps in this range.

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