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RF MacDonald Co. offers sales, packaged systems design, service, installation, and parts for our customers!

To request information or a quote, please use our Information/Quote request form.

Foundation and Baseplate Installation Requirements   

• Foundation mass for centrifugal pumps should be three time the mass of the driver and baseplate. 
• The foundation should be designed to avoid resonant vibration conditions originating from normal excitation forces at operating speed or multiples of the rotating speed. 
• Specify a baseplate that has machined mounting surfaces. This will cost a little more, but the additional cost will probably be saved at the shaft alignment. 
• Before setting the pump baseplate, chip the surface of the concrete pad to remove the cement rich surface concrete, called laitance. This will provide a stronger bond between the grout and concrete foundation. 
• The anchor bolts should be properly sized for the equipment being installed. Provide sufficient free length in the anchor bolt to allow for thermal expansion of the baseplate. 

• The Baseplate: 
• All machined mounting surfaces should be coplanar to within 0.002". 
• All baseplate welds should be continuos and free of cracks. 
• All cross bracing under the baseplate should have cutouts to allow for grouting. 
• Vent holes (0.5" D) should be provided at each cross brace and corner. 
• The baseplate should be designed with a minimum of 1.0" radius corners to prevent cracking of the grout. 
• The mounting pads under the driver should provide for a minimum of 1/8" shims under the motor. 
• Jacking screws should be provided to assist in shaft alignment of driver to pump. 
• Machined mounting pads should extend 1.0" beyond pump and driver mounting feet on all sides. 

• Setting the baseplate: 
•  The underside of the baseplate should be cleaned and sandblasted, providing a surface that insures a good bond between the baseplate and grout. 
• Set and level the baseplate, using wedges or jacking screws to achieve level. Whichever method is used, remember to remove the leveling device after the grout has set. This is especially important when using wedges. The wedges generally have sharp edges, which can cause stress concentration points that can eventually result in cracking of the grout. 
• Check the pump suction and discharge connections for proper location and elevation. Remember, "Bring the piping to the pump, not the pump to the piping".