Industrial hand pumps can save your business time and money. This may seem unlikely, since using hand pumps requires manual labor, but you can find yourself in situations in which hand pumps really earn their keep. For example, if you loose power and can no longer extract water from your farm’s well, then a manual hand water pump may just save the day. You wouldn’t have to wait for power to come back and can continue working, thus saving time and money.

There are a large number of hand pumps on the market for any number of necessary tasks. As you contemplate what type of hand pump you need for your business, consider the following possibilities:

1. You can transfer water-based liquids from one container to another with siphon hand pumps.

2. A hand water pump is convenient for accessing fresh water outside the home or workspace.

3. Hand-pump chemical liquids from steel barrels, or use a fuel hand pump for a gasoline dispenser.

4. Offer hand pumps that make inflating small items easier.

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Siphon liquids between containers with a hand transfer pump

Most siphon pumps consist of a plastic pumping mechanism and accordion tubing. Use them to pump water-based liquids, such as thin lubricants, gasoline, chemicals, liquid soap and the like from one location to another.

I recommend: Visit Pumpbiz.com to purchase siphon pumps that transfer 5 or 7 gallons per minute (gpm). In answer to the dangers of siphoning chemicals by mouth, Beckson Manufacturing offers an effective siphon pump.

Elevate water from a well with a water hand pump

For builders constructing cabins or farms, recommend that your clients have you install a hand water pump for the well. That way, if the power ever goes out, your clients can still obtain water manually, not to mention the additional bonus of a nostalgic appearance.

I recommend: Visit the FAQ page of Bison Hand Water Pumps to better understand what type of water pump you need before you make a purchase. Survival Unlimited offers water pumps for both deep and shallow wells.

Use chemical hand pumps to dispense liquids

Typically, industrial companies use a hand pump to dispense liquids and chemicals from large containers, such as steel drums. For example, a mechanic may keep a large quantity of lubricant for vehicles in a steel drum and use a hand pump to dispense as needed. The owner of a chain of fueling stations will need a gas hand pump at every unit on each lot for customers to fill their automobiles.

I recommend: Action Pump offers industrial hand pumps for steel drums that produce anywhere from 1 gallon per 8 strokes to 10 gallons per minute. Go to Pickup Specialties for a variety of Gasboy hand gas pumps, including turn crank and pumps with electric motors with a hand lever that controls the flow.

Inflate tires and sports equipment with air hand pumps

Sports equipment distributors and bike stores will not only use air hand pumps for their merchandise but should sell them to customers as well. These inexpensive and lightweight pumps are also great for sports teams and schools to maintain the correct psi in their sports equipment for maximum performance.

I recommend: Purchase a lightweight, low-grade hand air pump at Toy Splash. For a list of hand air pump manufacturers and suppliers, providing everything from plastic toy air pumps to heavy-duty metal pumps with gauges, use Global Sources.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Choose an industrial hand pump based upon the amount of liquid you need it to dispense pe

The hand water pump is perhaps the earliest example of such a device. However, the simple technology of hand pumps has also been long available in the form of a fuel hand pump, as well as oil hand pumps and chemical hand pumps.

Besides the economic benefits, the use of hand pumps, especially fuel hand pumps and chemical hand pumps, can prevent messes and save time. Hand pumps are used in agriculture, the automotive industry, factories and even homes to transfer liquids, prime pumps, dispense stored liquid products, and many other uses.

Here are the main parameters you should consider when purchasing industrial hand pumps:

1. Appropriate volume per stroke: Decide if you need a quart per stroke vs. gallon per stroke.

2. Applicability to liquid: Fuel, water and chemicals each require a different hand pump.

3. Make sure a hand operated vacuum pump has a connection type compatible with the product container.

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Save money by dispensing liquids from bulk containers

Many of the liquids used or sold in business and industrial settings are available in bulk containers, which gives you a chance to save money. Review the liquids you use and then research which among them are available in bulk. With a small investment in the appropriate industrial hand pumps, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year by dispensing from bulk containers into smaller applicators.

I recommend: Service Distributing offers a wide range of name brand oil, grease and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) products. Some products and distributors require that you supply the bulk container, in which case you'll want to visit Patrick J. Kelly Drums, Inc..

Choose the right hand pumps

A gas hand pump is usually different than a hand chemical pump; and a pitcher pump is different from a typical hand operated vacuum pump. Get the appropriate pump for the job.

I recommend: King Pumps categorizes their products well and will quickly point you in the right direction. Grainger, however, has a wider selection and provides details on each product, including applicable PH level (if appropriate).

Maintain your chemical, oil or fuel hand pump

An industrial hand pump often requires grease. Additionally, you may also need to clean your hand pump or event-adjust screws or moving parts. Your gas hand pump might work well this year, but you'll need to take care of it if you want it to work well next year. Read the manufacturer's care instructions. In almost all cases the maintenance will cost you nothing, but it will save you from replacing your hard working pumps. Keep in mind however, that a hand water pump must be greased with a lubricant safe for water supplies.

I recommend: In the case that you do need to repair your hand pump, check out KI Pumps. While you're there, take a took at their accessories.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your deep well water supply relies on an electric pump, consider adding an auxiliary hand water pump to your system. You'll have access to water, even when the power goes down.

Many industries and businesses use hand pumps to disperse and transfer water-based chemicals and oils for various tasks. Additionally, farms and rural houses may need a hand water pump to help manage their well water.

As a business owner, it’s important to plan expenses and map out costs before making an investment. Before purchasing, consider these facts about pricing and costs of hand pumps:

1. Installing a hand well pump may require the purchase of additional parts, such as the cylinder.

2. Chemical hand pumps for industrial businesses come in a variety of sizes, materials and production rates.

3. Consider the purchase of hand gas pumps in bulk quantities to save money.

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Determine prices and installation costs for a hand water pump

Builders who erect rural homes or farmers will likely need a hand water pump for wells, in addition to typical electrical and machine connections. These manual hand pumps provide convenient outdoor access to the water, as well as a fail safe should the power go out. If the water level in the well is less than 20 feet below the surface, then you need a shallow well pump (pitcher pump); otherwise, a deep well pump is necessary.

I recommend: PlumbingWorld offers a pitcher pump for $75, while Survival Unlimited has them for $90. Manufacturers like Bison Pumps price their handcrafted hand water pumps from $500 to $900.

Find inexpensive industrial hand pumps

A drum pump, often used by industrial companies or those running or repairing large machinery, allows you to hand pump chemical liquids from large steel drums. For example, a mechanic who sees a lot of business may keep a large amount of lubricant in a steel drum onsite and use an industrial hand pump to obtain the liquid as needed. Prices for these pumps vary based upon how much liquid you want dispersed per stroke, which is often anywhere from 8 ounces to 10 gallons a minute. You can also use a hand transfer pump (also known as a siphon pump) to transfer these liquids from one location to another.

I recommend: Rand MHE offers a variety of siphon and drum pumps ranging from $9 to $90, depending on the intended usage, size and materials. Alsco Industrial Products also offers a variety of hand drum pumps ranging from $20 to $300, again, depending on the type you buy.

Offer a fuel hand pump at gasoline dispensers

Often large industrial gas stations provide hand pumps in addition to the typical nozzle unit. These pumps are also useful for fleet companies that maintain their own delivery trucks or other vehicles. These companies can maintain large gasoline tanks onsite and use a gas hand pump to transfer the gasoline from the tank to smaller portable tanks or the vehicle directly.

I recommend: You can purchase a piston-style gas hand pump, like those sold by ARK Petroleum Equipment, in a range of $50 to $300, depending on the particular model you choose. Gempler’s offers a discount on piston hand pumps if you order five or more. The first four are $132 each, but five or more are only $116, which is a saving of nearly $100.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you need a well drilled before installing a hand water pump, contact local drilling contractors for itemized price quotes. They will all be different but should charge by foot dug rather than by hour.

By definition, a hand pump uses power supplied by the operator's own muscles to operate. Though many types of hand pumps have become increasingly more automated over the years, they're still used in many applications and industries including automotive and agriculture and often in homes to move liquids, prime pumps and distribute stored liquid products. Determine what hand pump would work best for your application by reviewing a few styles, types and other relevant terms associated with hand pumps.

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Siphon pump, hand transfer pump

Most siphon pumps, also known as hand transfer pumps, consist of a plastic pumping mechanism and accordion tubing. Siphon pumps are used to pump water-based liquids, like thin lubricants, gasoline, chemicals, liquid soap and other liquids from one location to another.

I recommend: Gempler's offers a variety of siphon or hand transfer pumps. Click on each design to get specifics for your intended application.

Lift

Lift hand pumps, as the name implies, lift or draw water or other fluids, rather than forcing the liquid through the device, by using a reciprocating (up and down) motion. Lift pumps include types such as water and pitcher hand pumps - often used for wells. When using a lift pump certain factors need to be considered, including static level - the distance between the top of ground level and the top of the water level in the well itself.

I recommend: Look over various lift pumps offered by Bison Hand Water Pumps and SurvivalUnlimited.com.

Piston

Piston hand pumps are used in more high-flow applications and are ideal for transferring gasoline, oil and other petroleum-based products.

I recommend: Integrated Publishing provides a more complete definition of piston pumps.

Hydraulic

Hydraulic hand pumps deliver an extra boost of strength when you need to move fluid through the pump outlet faster. These pumps are used in low- and high-pressure testing and various other oilfield applications that include removing plungers from testing valves, insert liner pumps, casing, tubing and fittings, as well as cores from core barrels.

I recommend: Hydraulic Equipment Manufacturers provides a brief definition on this type of pump. Granger offers useful pics of hydraulic hand pumps. Click on each photo for detailed spec information.

Diaphragm

A diaphragm hand pump is a versatile style of hand pump that can handle just about any type of fluid or liquid, from clear to slurry to liquids that contain solid material. Diaphragm hand pumps can run dry without damaging the pump and have a self-priming mechanism. This style of pump can work with multiple applications including emptying drums; handling mud, sewage drains, manholes and clogged drains; and irrigation, ideal for dry farming and small farms.

I recommend: Chemineers offers a picture of a diaphragm pump as well as the applications it's most used for.

Flow capacity, pump capacity

Flow capacity, or flow rate as it's sometimes called, measures how much fluid is being moved or work being performed within the pump system. Flow capacity is often measured in GPM (gallons per minute) or LPM (liters per minute).

I recommend: Tooling University offers a brief definition of flow capacity. For a more detailed look at flow capacity and other pump measurements, visit Kiwi Pumps and scroll down to Pump Capacity.