Discussion Points
• Key Features
• Operation
• Flexibility
• Evacuation Rates
• Installation
• Repair Costs
• How to Compete
• Key Features
• Operation
• Flexibility
• Evacuation Rates
• Installation
• Repair Costs
• How to Compete
Key Features
1. High Pressure
2. Inflatable Seal
3. 99.5% Evacuation
4. Unloads 2,000,000 CPS Materials
5. Handles Tapered and Straight Sided Drums
6. Quick Knock Down Lowers
7. Stalls under pressure with no VFD or special controls
Operation
• Graco
o Pumps can run dry for extended period of time without damage
o Pumps stall under pressure by simply closing a valve
o 99.5% evacuation rates
o FDA compliant with tri-clamp connections
• Progressive Cavity Pumps
o Cannot run dry without severe damage and costly repairs
o 10 seconds of running dry will cost +US$5,000 to repair
o Bolted wiper seals are not sanitary and required additional time and labor for cleaning
o High RPM required to create flow and can separate liquids from solids in the material
o Progressive cavity pumps do not create suction and need to be primed or pressure fed
o Level sensors can be installed to shut down the progressive cavity pump to prevent it from running dry
If level sensors are used, the pump must stop prior to reaching bottom of drum, thus reducing the evacuation rate and leaving costly material in drum or requiring extra labor to remove the remaining material
o Progressive cavity pumps are designed for continuous use applications. Progressive cavity pumps should not be used in applications with intermittent use, such as drum unloading.
Flexibility
• Graco’s drum unloaders can evacuate most drums by using an inflatable seal
• The same unloader can be used with conical shaped drums and straight sided drums
• Ability to handle drums from 19” to 24” id with same unit
• Graco is only company to offer an inflatable seal for sanitary applications
• Wiper seals can only be used for straight sided drums and can harbor bacteria with threaded bolts fastening wiper to follower plate
Evacuation Rates
• Graco drum unloaders can evacuate up to 99.5% of the material from a drum
• Piston pumps are self loading
• Most products can be unloaded in less than 5 minutes, with lower viscosity products unloaded in less than 1 minute
Installation
• Graco drum unloaders run on air and the only requirement is an air line
• Progressive cavity pumps generally require 440 VAC power and electricians to install
• Progressive cavity units may claim portability, but are limited to location of the power drop
• Graco SaniForce drum unloaders can be mounted on wheels and moved from station to station
Repair Costs
• Graco
o Low cost of ownership
o Inflatable seal designed to last for +6,000 drums
o Pump repair kit: less than $250
o Parts lead time:
One day in USA/Canada
Four days in Mexico
• Progressive Cavity Pump Companies
o A new stator and seal will cost between US$5,000 and US$10,000 depending on the size
o Most companies replace stators once per quarter due to running dry
o The lead time is normally + 4 weeks for parts due to overseas shipments
How to Compete with Progressive Cavity Pumps
Drum Unloader Key Selling Points
1. Unload Tapered or Straight Sided Drums with same Unit
2. Enclosed Controls Designed for Chemical Wash Down
3. Inflatable Seal Helps Keep Product from Being Exposed Air Borne Particulates
4. Ability to Unload Material up to 1,000,000 CPS
5. Pressure up to 1,200 PSI for Transferring Long Distances
6. No Oil Required for Air Motor
7. Unload a Drum in Under 5 Minutes
8. Available with Ball Check or Priming Piston
9. Remote Exhaust
10. Up to 99.5% Transfer Efficiency
11. FDA Complaint
How to Win Against Murzan
- Only Low Pressure AODD Option
- No Inflatable Seal
- Cannot Handle Tapered Drums
- Bolted Wiper Can Harbor Bacteria
- Inferior Frame Design
- Cannot Transfer Medium to High Viscosity Materials Pump Long Distances
- Manifold Holds Approximately 7% of Material