Choosing a Diesel Transfer Pump - The Guide
Mon, Jun 24, 2013
Do you think that all you need is a pump, but are slightly baffled at the choice available to you?
The answer for a lot of users is yes! We can imagine that clicking onto the diesel transfer pumps section on our website and being faced with 40 alternative pumps is quite daunting if you aren’t sure exactly what you’re looking for. If that is you, then here is a guide to picking a diesel transfer pump for your application.
Is an individual fuel transfer pump or a complete fuel dispenser required?
Perhaps the first thing to establish is whether you require a replacement fuel pump for an existing transfer system, or a complete fuel dispenser. Available in our range are numerous retrofit fuel transfer pumps that can be easily installed into an already working system if just the pump needs to be replaced. We also cater for users who either want to replace an entire, old diesel dispensing system including nozzle, flow meter and hose, or are buying their first unit.
What power do you have available?
Both individual pumps and complete fuel dispensing systems are available as mains powered electric fuel transfer pumps in 230v, 110v and 400v. Refuelling points where there is a static fuel storage tank, for example in a yard, usually have mains supply and would use an electric fuel transfer pump.
For applications where there mains power is inaccessible, perhaps mobile refuelling is required in a remote location, users are able to select from low voltage 24v and 12v diesel transfer pumps, engine driven pumps and hand fuel pumps. 12v fuel transfer pumps come complete with cable and clips for vehicle battery connection.
What type of vehicle is being refuelled?
The flow rate, or the speed of dispensing, is another way in which our diesel transfer pumps differ. The type of vehicles being refuelled is therefore important, as the larger the vehicle, the longer it will take to refuel and consequently the higher flow rate required. For a typical fleet of trucks, the flow rate of our standard fuel pumps (around 50-70lpm) is sufficient. However, for large agricultural or plant machinery, our higher flow rate diesel fuel transfer pumps are often preferred.
If you are not refuelling a vehicle, perhaps you want to move diesel from one drum to another, or pump diesel out of a bund, you may be interested in looking at a submersible pump or a manual fuel hand pump.
What is the environment in which the vehicles are being refuelled?
Whilst most pumps are suitable for most applications, there are certain features that make a specific diesel fuel transfer pump particularly relevant for a specific environment. For example, the refuelling of vehicle fleets usually takes place from the same static fuel tank in the company yard. The pumps designed for these applications are compact fuel dispensing systems, where the diesel transfer pump along with nozzle, hose and flow meter are enclosed in a box or on a plate, which is not designed to be moved.
The agricultural market is another that has a very clear type of preferred pump. Due to the need for in the field, mobile refuelling, they have a large requirement for portable 12 volt fuel transfer pumps, which are powered by connecting the pump to the tractor or combine’s battery. This is very similar for other off-road applications such as quarries and construction sites where plant machinery needs refuelling. There are however a number of even more specialised 12v fuel transfer pumps for this market, which are categorised by their larger flow rates and particularly sturdy, heavy duty construction.
When only small quantities of fuel will be dispensed, manual diesel hand pumps are most cost effective. For example, this may be the case for the refuelling of diesel powered lawn mowers or forestry equipment.
Considering each point in this guide should give you a much clearer idea on the pump you require.