Staff reports serious defects in hydro gearbox; city to compile costs and pursue vendor remedies
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Summary
City utilities staff reported extensive assembly defects on a recently purchased gearbox (reported purchase $129,000), listing damaged bearings, backward-installed seals, and worn gears; staff will package repair costs and pursue recovery from the vendor while prioritizing repairs to return generation.
Mount Pleasant utilities staff reported significant assembly and component defects in a recently purchased hydro gearbox and said the city will compile expenses and pursue recovery from the vendor.
A utilities staff member described multiple problems discovered during inspection: incorrectly installed bearings and seals, spray‑welded bearing fits that are now flaking, worn and pitted pinion teeth, and a low‑speed shaft with excessive run‑out. The staff member said the defects likely require replacing bearings, seals, shafts and couplings and recommended full repair or replacement.
"I'm a little pissed off to be honest with you," the staff member said, summarizing the frustration after paying $129,000 for the gearbox and seeing assembly problems. The staff member said they had contacted other utilities that reported similar problems with the same vendor and that the city will assemble a packet of costs (purchase price, shipping, lost generation) to pursue reimbursement or corrective action. Staff asked council for guidance and said they would return with the compiled information at the next meeting.
Councilors asked that staff document all costs and next steps; staff also noted limited options to increase hydro flow without risking equipment damage and will proceed cautiously while repairs are arranged.