Improved OPERATION

THIS PAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

Typical operation for Mueller IMPROVED series fire hydrants
What does a Main Valve Opening Size mean?
Changing The Direction Of The Hydrant
Head Maintenance Help for IMPROVED hydrants [LINKS]

Typical Operating Cycle Of All Mueller Chatta.- Improved Fire Hydrants


	The Main Valve opens against the incoming water pressure and closes with pressure for a positive seal against the seat ring.


	Mueller Hydrant In CLOSED Position. Incoming water pressure is against the bottom of the main valve assembly. Drain ports are fully open.

			It takes approximately 15 1/2 turns to fully open a Mueller IMPROVED series hydrant from the closed position.

The Mueller fire hydrant is now being opened. When opened to approximately 3 complete turns, the incoming water begins to force-flush the double drain valves and drain openings; establishes drainage field around hydrant.

		Mueller Improved series hydrants were furnished WITH or WITHOUT a self-draining feature. This option would be used where ground water might seep into the drain tubes and could fill the lower and upper barrel.

By the 7th complete turn, the main valve guides have close-off the drain ports. Continue to fully open the main valve assembly. Always open fully whether you are fighting a fire or using the hydrant for other purposes.

The Mueller fire hydrant is now being closed. Again during close down, the water pressure force-flushes the drain ports.

The Mueller fire hydrant main valve assembly is now closed and the drain valves are open to allow drainage of the barrel.


	Proper shutdown of all Mueller hydrants is to fully close the main valve assembly, *then turn in opening direction approximately 1/4 turn to relieve the tension on the operating mechanism.*

Any Mueller IMPROVED hydrant can be converted from a self-draining type to a non-drain style.

If the IMPROVED series hydrant was completely pulled out of the ground, thread tapping and plugs can be installed in drain tube holes that are located on the Shoe Casting making sure the plugs installed are not too long to interfere with the seat ring operation.
The IMPROVED Seat Ring can be pulled out of the hydrant and tapped-plugged the holes within the bronze ring. A 11/32" diameter drill is used followed by using a 1/4" - 18 NPT tap. Use a 1/8" allen hex-socket pipe plug. Depth of tap should be controlled so that plug will not extend into machined valve plate guide area and so that top of plug will not extend beyond plain diameter below drain groove.

NOTE: Mueller CENTURION Series fire hydrants cannot be converted as stated above.


	Main Valve Opening Sizes made for IMPROVED series hydrants

The term Main Valve Opening [MVO] is the opening size for the waterway to travel up through the Seat Ring Opening. The Main Valve Opening Size can be described as the inside diameter of the round bronze seat ring or as illustrated, the diameter of the Upper Valve Plate which travels up and down inside of the Seat Ring.

The IMPROVED series of hydrants were produced in (4) sizes of Main Valve Assemblies.

Main Valve Opening Size	Inside Diameter Of Lower Barrel
4-1/4"	6-1/2"
4-1/2"	6-1/2"
5-1/4"	7-1/4"
6-1/4"	8-1/2"

CAUTION: Main Valve Assembly Parts for a Improved 4-1/4" VO do not interchange with a 4-1/2" VO size.

Other than the Main Valve Assembly Parts, the 4-1/4" and 4-1/2" VO size parts are interchangeable, such as the Break Flanges, Upper Barrel Parts including the Bonnet Parts.


	Changing The Direction Of The Hydrant Head


	If the main is pressurized; Assure the hydrant is fully closed and the hydrant shoe is pressurized (water pressure is on the main valve).


	If the main is NOT pressurized; Open the hydrant fully until the stem hits the stop.

Loosen the Safety Flange Bolts until they are one turn looser than finger tight.
Turn the Operating Nut in the opening direction No More Than One-Half turn. This raises the Upper Barrel only enough to allow it to turn.
Rotate the Upper Barrel and Operating Nut TOGETHER in the closing direction until either the Nozzles are facing correctly, or the Upper Barrel will no longer turn.
Do not allow the top of the Lower Barrel to slip out of the recessed area
in the bottom of the Upper Barrel.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the Nozzles are properly faced.
Without allowing the Upper Barrel to turn from its desired position, turn the Operating Nut in the closing direction until it is tight.
Make sure Safety Flange fits snugly against the Lower Barrel and retighten bolts to approximately 50 ft.-lbs. DO NOT OVER TORQUE.
Turn the Operating Nut in the closing direction to make sure the Main Valve is closed tightly, then turn in opening direction approximately 1/4 turn to relieve tension on the operating mechanism.






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