you might have an issue with lack of water this year. we have no snow in the hills to keep it running this summer.

The pumps leak no matter what you do. If it starts leaking bad, just add another piece of packing or tighten up the bolts around the pump shaft. You have to add water every month. Put on your swim trunks! Water hydros are easy.

Nice, I'll be sure to keep my Scuba and shorts in my truck.:)

Graphite grease and water soluble oil are your best friends. You may find that the building personnel try to help you out by adding more water to the tank. Always make sure the oil is milky white with water soluble oil. Little graphite grease on piston helps a lot too. The lack of either one of these will cause packing to roll or burn, then a flood. Important Tip: never run piston onto stop ring; there is none! the end of the piston is fluted and blows oil/water out to prevent top over-travel. When doing a load test, the pressure is-what-it-is. Most pumps are centrifugal and no way of setting/changing the relief pressure. If it happens to have a "Rack" valve, even more discussion.

I have never tried the graphite grease. Good tip, I will try that.