Reciprocating pumps are used in a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, water treatment and research. Some jobs simply require you to know how a reciprocating pump works, while others may need you to be able to install or repair a reciprocating pump. How much you'll need to know depends on what field you're working in and what you must accomplish.

Occasionally, a job may require you to concentrate on a specific type of reciprocating pump, such as a reciprocating piston pump or a reciprocating submersible pump. This type of concentration may require special safety and maintenance procedures. If you're interested in reciprocating pump design or just want reciprocating pumps education and training, consider the following:

1. Check out reciprocating pump information available online.
2. Go to industry events to keep your knowledge up-to-date and relevant.
3. Take classes to learn more about reciprocating pump types and purposes.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn more about reciprocating pumps online

It's important to learn the basic types of reciprocating pump and how they work. Being able to name each part can help you when ordering new or replacement parts from a reciprocating pump supplier and aid in the understanding of installation instructions and maintenance. You can find this information online, in the form of diagrams and articles, for many different types of reciprocating pumps.

I recommend: Check out this diagram and explanation of how a reciprocating pump works from Seton Hall University's Chemistry Department, or learn about reciprocating pumps at Engineers Edge.

Attend reciprocating pump manufacturer events

Trade shows, conferences and workshops allow you to meet with other industry professionals and exchange ideas and information about reciprocating pumps and other tools of the trade. By attending trade shows in related industries, you can check out new reciprocating pump parts and models, get information on new industry trends and polish your skills at a workshop. Conferences and workshops can also keep you up-to-date on repair and maintenance techniques for newer models.

I recommend: See the Cat Pumps event page for industry show information, or learn more about reciprocating pumps at an IDS Water industry event.

Get hands on reciprocating pump experience by taking classes

If you'd like to learn about reciprocating pumps in a more formal environment, classes on most types of pumps are available. These classes usually cover a wide variety of pump types and pump parts, including reciprocating pumps. Sometimes, plumbing and water treatment classes will cover the use of reciprocating pumps in their industries as well.

I recommend: Take a class on reciprocating pump maintenance from American Trainco, or take a reciprocating pumps training class from TrainingClasses.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you plan to work with an industrial reciprocating pump, additional training like a college degree, may be required depending on what job you are doing. Degrees specializing in plumbing or water treatment can often provide this education.

Reciprocating pumps are types of pumps that use pistons and cylinder arrangements integrated into the pump. There are two types of reciprocating pumps - a piston pump and a diaphragm pump. They also have suction and discharge valves. A reciprocating pump is generally used for industrial type uses, including concrete and oil.

The best way to find a reciprocating pump is to view vertical industrial directories. Here's what to look for when searching for a reciprocating piston pump:

1. Do you need an industrial piston pump or a diaphragm pump?

2. What type of fluid will you being using for the industrial reciprocating pump?

3. What other types of supplies will you need for your reciprocating pump?

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Use a reciprocating pumps specific directory

Forget sites like Google or Yahoo, instead use an industry specific search engine or directory for locating reciprocating pumps.

I recommend: ThomasNet has an extensive reciprocating pump manufacturer list. The Hydraulic Institute has white papers and assembly information for reciprocating pumps and other types of pumps as well.

Look for key names in the business of reciprocating pumps

Find industrial reciprocating pump manufacturers from all parts of the U.S.

I recommend: CAT PUMPS offers you Triplex Reciprocating Pumps and Industrial Triplex Plunger Pumps with output in direct proportion to their RPM. They contain three synchronized plungers that operate to discharge liquids with minimal pulsation. Their pumps are great for industries such as misting, cleaning, injecting, blasting and metering. They can operate in harsh seawater desalination systems, car washing systems, or multi-station central cleaning systems. You can request an online quote for reciprocating pumps from Cryostar. Myers-Aplex offers you a complete reciprocating line of pumps. James Walker Group offers almost 20 compression packing grades for reciprocating pumps and rams that can handle a variety of applications.

Keep up your maintenance with reciprocating pumps parts and service

Keeping your reciprocating pumps running in tip-top shape requires regular maintenance and knowledge of where to obtain spare reciprocating pump parts. The good news is that you don't have to solely rely on your manufacturer. You can often go with a less expensive outside company to update or maintain your piece of equipment.

I recommend: IEQ Industries is a reseller of new, used and remanufactured parts and pumps from the following brands: Wheatley, GASO and Wheatley/GASO. Industrial Pump and Motor Repair, Ltd. is a parts and reciprocating pump supplier. They can also offer you service after the sale. They can help you with removal from jobsite, on-site troubleshooting, cleaning, disassembly and inspection, testing, repairs and replacement and fabrication of parts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you have the correct assembly information for your reciprocating pumps.
• •  Ask the reciprocating pump supplier about training via videos or software if you plan on operating the pump yourself.
• •  Consider hiring an industrial pump expert to install and maintain the reciprocating pump.

Because of the wide range of applications for reciprocating pumps, the capacities are equally wide-ranging. Able to handle high pressure and specializing in a low flow of liquid, reciprocating pumps can move viscous oils and liquid concrete as readily as they move water. Small reciprocating piston pumps can also be used for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and other specialized uses requiring precision.
With such a wide range of reciprocating pump types, you will find an equally wide range of prices when you shop for a reciprocating pump for your business. A small pump with a relatively low psi capability may run you a few hundreds of dollars, while a larger pump with greater durability and high psi capability will be in the thousands. The three main types of pumps you may want examine as you explore reciprocating pumps pricing and costs are:
1. Reciprocating pumps for high water jetting.
2. Industrial reciprocating pumps for moving heavier materials.
3. And refined reciprocating piston pumps for specialized applications.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Price a reciprocating water pump designed for high pressure jetting

One major application of reciprocating pumps is in high pressure water jetting situations, including pressure washing. The range of prices is extreme for these pumps, as it depends upon the pressure, size and capacities of the pump-from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.

I recommend: Reciprocating pump manufacturer CAT produces a wide range of reciprocating pumps that offer capabilities for high pressure washing, such as those for sale at AutowashOnline for between about $350 and $1,000, depending upon their power. View additional pumps from CAT as well as pumps from Hypro at BPH Pump & Equipment, ranging from around $350 for smaller units to about $5,000 for larger units.

Find industrial reciprocating pumps designed to move heavy materials

Heavy-duty reciprocating pumps can move just about anything that's viscous, from oil to concrete. Prices for these pumps start around $1,500 and can run over $8,000. However, you can often find refurbished industrial reciprocating pumps at a discount.

I recommend: Black-Jack Grout Pumps reciprocating pumps, designed to move grout, mud and concrete, start at about $1,800, while a combination pump and mixer starts at about $5,000. At Power Zone Equipment, you can purchase new or refurbished single- or double-acting reciprocal pumps, including a reciprocating submersible pump model, suitable for pumping oil, mud and other heavy substances. Contact the company for pricing.

Get a quote on a small, low-flow reciprocating pump for specialized applications

Generally, a smaller pump is less expensive than a larger one, though some specialized pumps designed to work with small amounts of liquid at high pressure are pricier than larger pumps, starting near $1,000. For applications like HPLC, you need absolute accuracy, and the price of these pumps reflects their accuracy.

I recommend: Eldex’s Optos Series of metering pumps are based on a reciprocal design and each provides precise metering, making them ideal for flow injection analysis, chemical feed and HPLC. Eldex can also customize its pumps for your application. Contact the company for a quote. At Biocompare, you can view a range of HPLC pumps offered by various vendors and easily receive quotes on them.