How-to: Select a Contractors Pump
Contractors' pumps are heavy-duty pumps designed to withstand the rough and tumble conditions expected on industrial and construction sites. Read on to learn more about T-T's range and the main points to consider when selecting a contractor pump for your application.
WHAT IS A CONTRACTOR PUMP?
Contractors' pumps can be submersible; designed for industrial use, civil construction, quarries or mining; and applied to dewatering, flood recovery, water features, slurry handling or high-flow sand/silt applications.
T-T's popular Kino Titan range of Submersible Contractors’ Pumps includes models ideal for site drainage, process supply, heavy slurry handling, dewatering and irrigation. Additional features can include adjustable level control, high heads and an agitator for solids handling as required.
Selecting the right contractors’ pump for your application will ensure reliable and efficient long-term operation.
Pumping Medium
The first things to consider is the type of liquid being pumped, such as clear water, muddy water, or water with solid contents like sand or gravel (in this case a specialist pump would be required). The KT Sand Devil, for example, is a high performance contractor pump designed to handle abrasive liquid and is equipped with an agitator for handling sand and small solids.
Pump Specifications
Consider the required flow, the volume of water that needs to be drained for your application and the discharge pipework (including its length and whether the paperwork rises or falls). From this information you can calculate the head, which is the height that the pump must be capable of pumping required volume to. Contractor pumps will specify the head that they can perform to, ensuring it will work effectively for your application (e.g. a large water feature would require a greater head capability).
Additional features such as an impeller (for chopping solids in pumping matter) will make the contractor pump suitable for heavy-duty applications. This vastly reduces the risk of a breakdown due to a blockage from pumping liquids with a high solids content.
Construction Materials
The materials the contractor pump is constructed from will affect its performance. For rougher applications you would need a pump with wearing parts (components that endure the most wear and tear such as an impeller) that are made from durable materials such as high chrome. This will make sure your contractor pump will effectively process materials with high solids content with little need for maintenance or repairs.
Consider the medium you will pumping and whether your contractor pump needs to be able to withstand corrosion from chemicals, or whether you require ATEX rated equipment for safe operations in Zoned Areas (risk of an explosive atmosphere).
Power Supply
T-T Pumps offers contractor pumps suitable to be powered by electrics and hydraulics. Hydraulically powered pumps are generally more powerful and therefor better suited to large and heavy-duty applications, points to consider are:
- The length of hydraulic hose required from the power pack to the pump.
- The type and size of power pack and its hydraulic performance capacity that you have available
Also, take into account the available power supply and its distance from the control box as this will determine the length of cable required.
If you are looking for a contractor pump and want help in choosing the most effective solution, contcat the experts at T-T Pumps and discuss your application specifics today by calling +44 (0)1630 647200, emailing pumpsales@ttpumps.com or completing our online enquiry form.