VOLUME 3         

Automatic Cable Lubrication Can Save Time and Money

Properly designed pumping systems can both meter and apply Polywater® Cable Pulling Lubricant to cable as it enters a conduit. "Automatic lubrication" can eliminate messy hand application, and also ensure consistent and optimal lubricant use.

Pumps should be able to move the pulling lubricant without shearing the high polymers within. Pumps should operate at the lubricant flow rates appropriate for the cable size and pulling speed. Flow rates should be adjustable without creating excessive line pressure or pump wear.

American Polywater has been involved with the pumping of our lubricants for over 25 years. We sell manual pumps (the LP-3), drill-operated pumps (the LP-D5), and we have worked with users on the design of fully automatic electrical and pneumatic pumping systems. This background can be invaluable to anyone interested in pumping cable pulling lubricant, and we are making much of it available for free on the web (see references below).

1. For a calculator to determine appropriate flow rates for your cable pulling, please see http://www.polywater.com/calculators/LubeRate.asp.
   
   
2. To view a history of pumps that have been used successfully in the field, go to http://www.polywater.com/pumphist.pdf.
   
   
3. To read a technical paper analyzing both theoretical and experimental flow rate dependence on line size, hose length, and pressure, go to http://www.polywater.com/ieeepump.asp.
   
   
4. Finally, for an overview of pumping with links to all of the above and more, go to http://www.polywater.com/pumping.asp.

Feel free to contact American Polywater's technical service team with any questions you may have on our lubricants or our experience with pumping them.

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