Torque Factors for Pumping Units - How They Are Calculated from Rig Geometry - How They Are Put To Practical Use

Manufacturers are constantly being asked to furnish special combinations of stroke length, beam sizes and other structural modifications to meet the particular requirements of those responsible for the application of pumping units. These special demands are often made without due consideration of their effect on the loading of the unit gear reducer and prime mover. Torque factors which were made available through the workings of API committees have not been used as much as they should be; if they were, some of the special arrangements would not be requested. The proper use of would make it evident that such changes could easily overload the gear reducers. Although the use of torque factors was started approximately 15 years ago, their general adoption has been slow. Producers have not demanded and manufacturers have not furnished them because of the trouble in calculating them.