Landscape & Irrigation

March 2011

Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.

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Knowing the applications for which Heartsong would use the pumps, Klein had no hesitation recommending centrifugal pump technology. “They were having trouble finding high-volume, low-head pumps that needed to be energy efficient because these things run 15 or 16 hours a day and they pump a lot of water — 1,000 gallons a minute for a small waterfall to two or three pumps pumping 2,000 gallons per minute for a large waterfall,” said Klein. “He started using centrifugal pumps, and he’s been using them ever since.” Centrifugal pumps are a top choice for meeting the needs of water feature con- struction and operation because they are engineered for flexibility, durability and versatility, with a number of design innova- tions over the years helping increase the pump’s performance in all of those areas. They are available with a wide range of sizes and capacities that make them ideal for any water-pumping application. The pumps generally feature flanged leading lines of ANSI centrifugal pumps have as much as two times the area in their casing and stuffing box/seal clearance areas, which allows them to handle volumes as high as 4,000 gpm. Other features of some lines of ANSI centrifugal pumps are self-tightening impellers that reduce leaks and failures. Many of the newer lines of ANSI centrifugal pumps also feature en- hanced power frames, which can be 33- percent stronger than previous models, that increase performance and longevity, and allow the pumps to be utilized in severe operating conditions while decreasing maintenance. Centrifugal pumps also offer another Above: HeartSong WaterScapes relies on Griswold E, F & G Series centrifugal pumps for all of its water features. The Griswold pumps pictured here have been performing perfectly for 14 years at the Canyon Isles housing develop- ment in Boynton Beach, Fla. must-have feature for waterfall operation — reliability. A water feature loses its effect when the pumps fail; and instead of seeing water cascading over rocks and settling into a pristine lagoon, passers-by are treated to the site of repair crews removing a mal- functioning pump. “I have some centrifugal pumps out cast-iron casings that are tapped for a drain, vent and pressure gauge and include a suc- tion wear ring that can be rotated to vari- ous discharge positions. Certain centrifugals offer heavy-duty bronze shaft sleeves and bearings that insulate the shaft from abra- sion and contact with pumped liquids, and a fully enclosed single-piece cast-bronze impeller that is precision-balanced to limit thrust load and reduce pressure in the seal- ing area. Options can also include an en- hanced power frame that increases performance and flexibility while simplify- ing maintenance. Centrifugal pumps can be operated via close-coupled NEMA electric motors or frame-mounted with a coupling to electric motors, engines, steam turbines, or even belt drives. Flexible coupling to motors is also offered, including open drip-proof, totally enclosed, and explosion-proof motors. Many centrifugal pumps offer 360-degree mounting capabilities that greatly extend and enhance installation options, including vertical mounting for close-coupled config- urations when space is at a premium. Some centrifugal pump designs now offer a back pullout that permits easy removal of the pump assembly for maintenance that doesn’t disturb the piping connections. Many styles of end-suction centrifugal pumps have en- larged pump suction and discharge nozzles that cut down on fric- tion and result in less component wear. Perhaps the biggest advantage for centrifugal pumps in water feature applications is their ability to meet ANSI standards. The www.landscapeirrigation.com there, from Griswold, that have been in service for 20-plus years,” said Heartsong. “They last a very, very long time, even in saltwater situations. I’ve never had to go in there and pull one out and replace it with anything else.” Another key for HeartSong WaterScapes Above: Griswold E, F & G Series centrifugal pumps meet the needs of HeartSong WaterScapes because they are designed with enlarged suction and discharge nozzles that cut down on friction losses, making them ideal for water- pumping applications. The Griswold pump pictured is lo- cated at the Valencia Isles’ waterfeature. is the fact that most centrifugal pumps are also easily configurable to meet the needs of a specific project. The most common sizes used by HeartSong WaterScapes are 8x8, 8x6 and 6x10 with motors that range between 10 and 25 horsepower. There are also smaller residential applications that use pumps that are powered by 5- and 7.5- horsepower motors. Although each HeartSong WaterScapes design is unique, if a water feature is to op- erate reliably and efficiently one thing needs to be uniform — the use of centrifugal-style pumps that keep the water flowing 24/7/365. LI Deb Roth is the owner of HeartSong Water- Above: HeartSong designed and constructed the entrance waterfalls at Valencia Isles (Boynton Beach, FL) commu- nity that consists of nearly 800 single family residences. Scapes, Inc., Jupiter, Fla. She can be reached at 561-747-1476. For more on her company, or to see examples of the projects that HeartSong WaterScapes has worked on over the years, visit www.heartsongwaterscapesonline.com. Steven Cox is a regional manager for Grand Terrace, Calif.-based Griswold™ Pump Com- pany, an operating company within Dover Corporation’s Pump Solutions Group (PSG™). He can be reached at 229-223-4817 or Steve.Cox@pumpsg.com. For more information about Griswold pumps, visit www.griswoldpump.com. Landscape and Irrigation 23

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