Diesel Hand Pump

A diesel hand pump is used to transfer diesel from a drum or tank into another container through a hose. Because even "clean" diesel has some impurities, that means that the impurities can be taken up through the diesel pump and cause clogging. In order to insure that the pump works properly, it is necessary to clean them. Before you try to take apart a diesel hand pump for cleaning, it is important that you understand how they work. Hand-operated pumps come in several different types: " Rotary " Semi rotary " Double acting " Lever " High flow Though each of these types of diesel hand pumps is designed to pump out the fuel with specific hand-operated actions, they all share certain characteristics. All of the diesel hand pumps will use suction pressure to cause the diesel fuel to rise through the pump and outwards, usually through a spout or hose. Generally, diesel hand pumps have a suction pipe which goes down into a diesel drum.

The most popular type of diesel hand pump is rotary. The quality types of rotary hand pumps are made out of a strong substance such as cast iron or aluminum. They attach to the diesel drum with fitted adaptors and have suction pipes which go down to the bottom of the drum. Because diesel drums come in various sizes, it is common to find rotary hand pumps which have suction pipes that come in pieces. The pieces can be fitted together in order to create a longer pipe that will reach the bottom of the diesel drum. The user simply will crank the rotary diesel hand pump until diesel comes out of the spout. Hoses may be attached if it is necessary to transport the diesel fuel further distances from the drum. The popularity of rotary diesel hand pumps is in part due to their effectiveness and ease of use. It generally takes little effort to rotate the hand pump and users can get around 5-10 gallons per every 100 rotations. This amount varies depending on the size of the pump.

If you feel that there is a lot of resistance while using a diesel hand pump, it is possible that a clog has occurred somewhere in the pump. This clog generally will not cause damage to the pump though it is best to clean it right away to ensure the pump stays functioning. The first step in cleaning out a diesel hand pump is to empty it of diesel. If the pump is in an empty drum, you can pump out any remaining diesel into a container. If the drum is full, have someone lift the diesel hand pump so that the suction pipe is no longer in the diesel fuel. Then, pump until the suction pipe has been completely emptied. Always be cautious when emptying that diesel fuel doesn't spill.Next, you will want to put the diesel hand pump on a stack of newspapers or old clean towels so that the diesel doesn't stain any surfaces. Take apart the suction pipe and spout. While wearing gloves, use an old rag to remove any buildup in the diesel hand pipe before returning it to the drum.