As with all industrial machines, buying an industrial pump can be a significant investment for your company. To avoid any financial difficulties, you can find used industrial pumps on the market. The fact that they aren’t new can be a source of worry and hesitation. To be sure you are getting a good deal, simply check out a few key points that you can learn about in this guide.
The brand of the used industrial pump
Before buying a used pump, you must pay attention to its brand. This will give you the chance to see if the company is still distributing industrial pumps. In this case, you can feel reassured because, should it stop working, you can easily find spare parts. Otherwise, your investment in a used machine won’t be profitable since its parts cannot be replaced easily.
At Carter-Wilson, our recommendations depend on the end use:
-Centrifugal Pumps: Fristam, Gormann Rupp, Ampco
-Lobe pumps: Waukesha, Ampco
-Diaphragm pumps: Sandpiper, Aro
Engine
After checking the brand, you must then look at the engine. For industrial pumps, there are electric motors and gasoline and diesel engines. When the electric motor makes a soft noise with no metallic whirring or snapping, then it is in good condition.
As for petrol and diesel engines, there are two important things to watch out for. The first is checking the oil. If it's clear, it is new and everything is fine. When the oil is black, it means that it hasn’t been changed in a while. This is a bad sign for the engine’s health, so be skeptical.
The second factor is in regard to the industrial pump’s start-up. When it doesn’t start the first time, there is a problem with the oil or gasoline, or a much more serious problem. You should not purchase a used industrial pump if the engine is in poor condition. Do not try to change the engine, as that would be quite expensive.
The priming parts of your industrial pump
Checking the priming parts of your industrial pump is essential, even more, if it is a water pump. The parts that must be checked in this case are the suction connection lining, the manual priming pump, and the valve. When the packing is in poor condition, liquid suction is limited. In extreme cases, your used vacuum pump will be defused, causing significant damage.
The purpose of the manual priming pump is to drive liquid, which must be non-viscous, to the centrifugal pump before starting. When its diaphragm is punctured, the fluid won’t be pumped, so you have to check that. The outlet valve keeps the industrial pump in a closed circuit so as to extract air from the pump alone and not from the entire system. If the valve is damaged, it loses its seal and must then be replaced.
The turbine
The last element to check is the turbine, an indispensable part of an industrial pump. The turbine is a rotating part which, by means of the kinetic energy of a fluid liquid or a gas, produces mechanical energy. Its main purpose is rotating the alternator with this energy. When the turbine fails, your pump will not work.
When you have a used vacuum pump, there may be some damage to the turbine. You should, therefore, check it out to make sure that it is perfectly round with slightly serrated sides. It must also be clean with clear openings.
In short, you have all the information on what to check out when buying a used industrial pump. If you need help purchasing a used industrial pump, contact our team, and one of our advisers will help you as quickly as possible.