Vane pumps are excellent at handling low viscosity liquids like alcohol, propane, ammonia, solvents, gasoline, refrigerants and fuel oils. They have no internal metal-to-metal contact, so they compensate for their own wear which helps them maintain peak performance. Whether you are looking for flexible vane pumps, rolling vane pumps, swinging vane pumps, external vane pumps, sliding vane pumps or a rotary vane pump, they are a quality choice for their dry priming, suction characteristics and ease of maintenance during the life of the pump.

Be mindful of the disadvantages of vane pumps, though. They can have complex housing and a lot of parts. They aren't suitable for high pressures or high viscosity, and they aren't good with abrasives.

To find the right vane pump design for you:

1. Determine your need because each type of vane pump gives you a different advantages. Some can handle large solids, while others can only handle small solids but have good vacuum. Others can even run dry for short periods of time.

2. Determine your budget on the project.

3. Unless you are an expert, have the pump installed by an expert.

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

Look for suppliers of vane pumps who have a strong industry background

You are trusting your vane pumps with the livelihood of your business. Use suppliers and products that have been around consistently for a long period of time.

I recommend: Viking Pump has been in business since 1911. Their LVP series vane pump sets have chrome oxide coated shafts that turn in a hard silicon carbide bearing. They also have self-adjusting, PEEK® plastic vanes and push rods to give you better vacuum capabilities. The president of Finemech has been in the industry over 25 years. The Finemech on-line business model helps reduce the costs of distribution for their suppliers, which helps pass the savings on to you.

Look for innovative vane pump design

Seek out manufacturers who have taken what they know and sell in regards to their vane pumps and have made it better. Look for the manufacturers so dedicated to quality that they solve their own problems with innovative new designs.

I recommend: The PVR Vane Pumps from Continental Hydraulics give you a patented "Walking Ring" design that can help extend your pump life. Their rotor shafts are created out of one piece to minimize shaft deflection, and their patented pressure balanced thrust plate give you better rotor running clearance, which can mean pump overall efficiency up to 90%. Their pumps are great for use as machine tools, food processing equipment, brick and block machinery, for the Marines, production and material handling equipment, oil fields and aerospace ground support and training equipment. The PZ-Series Coro-Vane® Petroleum pumps by Corken Inc. are great for fuel oil delivery trucks. They can also be used for stationary uses of refined petroleum products and industrial solvents.

Find a high quality vane pumps

Don't settle for anything less than a high quality vane pump brand. Your vane pump supplies should come with a background of long testing and proven design.

I recommend: Eaton’s Hydraulics Operations brings you the Vickers™ VMQ Series Fixed Displacement Vane Pump, which is designed for high pressure industrial uses as well mobile applications under harsh operating conditions. It has offers the lowest noise ratings in the industry, and it was designed with a unique bi-metallic wafer plate that shows notable cold start-up capability. The rotary vane vacuum pump from Travaini Pumps USA, Inc. has an air-cooled and direct-coupled monoblock design. They offer you standard systems as well as custom designs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discuss vane pump design, use and maintenance with your manufacturers of vane pumps.