Tree limb passing through Jet

N/R Salmon slayer · 01-24-2009, 07:37 PM

Last week while out sturgeon fishing I picked up a small branch which passed through the grate on my Hamilton 212 pump and found itself impelled on impeller blade. The impeller blade had cut half way through the branch and then stuck to the blade and wouldn't clear, but just spin on the impeller. This caused the boat to vibrate and found myself heading back to load the boat very slowly.

My question is... today I took the grate off and broke the 1/4" branch off on the grate side of the impeller. So it can hopefully pass though? Will the stick or branch that I broke off pass though the rest of the jet? Or will I have to go front the back of the jet.. This I have never done...

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

BIGCSS · 01-24-2009, 07:43 PM

You need to clear the rest out of the jet, otherwise it will just continue to vibrate and may not clear since it's on the impeller. This seems to be about the only weakness of the 212. You know what is funny is the 241 uses a built up 212 turbo impeller and it doesn't seem to have the problem, the only difference in the units is the diameter of the impeller and shaft.

JuneHog · 01-24-2009, 08:58 PM

you may be able to fit a 213 stomp gate to your 212 after you get the limb cleared. helps to clear the intake when one of those floaters comes along. great for gravel hump hits.
talk to your pump shop.

don't run it with the limb in there

N/R Salmon slayer · 01-25-2009, 07:50 AM

Thanks guys,

It's time for the annual North River annual check-up (service) so while it's in I will go over it with them. (Stomp grate). What I would prefer to do is be able to watch as they tear into it as if it happens once, it will surely happen again. I would prefer to fix myself, and not be dependent on a shop or the the fee to repair.

Thanks again for the feedback!

Jim

IDWITHELD · 01-25-2009, 10:32 AM

I would remove the grate and inspection plate and give her a thorough look-see. Now is the time to get familiar with your equipment.
I have sucked up everything you can think of. Hearing wrappers, Mcdonalds bags, weed bets, sticks and the dreaded polypropelene rope. With my kind of luck, I keep the tools in the boat to do a field tear-down.

brokenhorn1 · 01-25-2009, 11:17 AM

On the top of the 212 there is a round cap about 3" in diameter held on by a few 1/4 20 bolts. If you pull this cap you will have access to the back of the pump and impeller and should be able to free the rest of the stick. Then I would go for a stomp grate. Good lick.

hawgspanker · 01-25-2009, 11:26 AM

I have the same pump. You need to remove the inspection plate on the impeller housing and clean the debris out, otherwise it will continue to cavitate. If you dont have a grate rake, get one as it will help you remove superficial stuff off the grate, and a stomp grate helps with rocks and some sticks, but doesnt seem to help with weeds and plastic, etc.

BIGCSS · 01-25-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuneHog

you may be able to fit a 213 stomp gate to your 212 after you get the limb cleared. helps to clear the intake when one of those floaters comes along. great for gravel hump hits.
talk to your pump shop.

don't run it with the limb in there

The stomp grates are made by Ketchum Manufacturing which is over in the Lewiston/Clarkston valley. However they are pretty spendy at around $500+. Also unless you run alot of really shallow water and constantly get rocks in the grate, it's better to just get a grate rake (less than $100 for one from KEM). Also stomp grates definitely effect performance and will cost you 2-5 mph on your speed, due to added drag and if you have a cooler on your swim platform for a fish box, you generally won't be able to keep the cooler there. All of this information is from personal experience with the stomp grates and I removed the one I had on my boat because of the performance loss and also loosing the ability to mount my cooler on the swim platform.

jet · 01-28-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGCSS

The stomp grates are made by Ketchum Manufacturing which is over in the Lewiston/Clarkston valley. However they are pretty spendy at around $500+. Also unless you run alot of really shallow water and constantly get rocks in the grate, it's better to just get a grate rake (less than $100 for one from KEM). Also stomp grates definitely effect performance and will cost you 2-5 mph on your speed, due to added drag and if you have a cooler on your swim platform for a fish box, you generally won't be able to keep the cooler there. All of this information is from personal experience with the stomp grates and I removed the one I had on my boat because of the performance loss and also loosing the ability to mount my cooler on the swim platform.

What he said, I have heard the story a few times regarding the stomp grate. The rake and a good dive suit is the best way to go. Regarding the stick stuck on the leading edge of the impeller, it has happened to me 2x over the past 10 years... make sure your boat nose is on land if you open the inspection cover to remove the sticks.

Jet~~~~~