When a pump can outlast a generation of farmers, it speaks volumes about both engineering excellence and the value of local manufacturing. “It’s not uncommon for someone to ring up and say they’ve had one of our pumps for 40 or 50 years,” says Jason Martin, GM of the pumps division at Track Industries. Comments like ‘the farm came with an Anderson 355 pump when we bought it in the 1990s, now we need to replace the pump, and we think the next one will outlast us on the farm’ represent common customer feedback. “We regularly hear similar comments like this for the full range of pumps Track manufactures and sells," adds Jason.
Founded in 1986, Track Industries’ pumps division is mostly known for its reciprocating pumps, commonly known as bulldozer or piston pumps. It manufactures five brands of piston bulldozer pumps and spare parts: Anderson, Wallace-Powerflo, WH Price Renown, MacEwan’s H Series and Track B1 & C1 (300 & 500 model pumps).
The secret to the pumps’ durability lies in the simple design, says Jason. Piston pumps operate through a reciprocating motion within a cylinder, using just two sets of moving parts in the water end: the plunger assembly and valve sets for suction and delivery. This simplicity makes diagnosis and repair straightforward and reduces potential failure points. “For example, at the moment we are organising parts for one of our agents ’ clients’ piston pump,” explains Jason. “The pump’s been in service for decades, with our agent servicing the water end. Now it needs some work on the back end to get back to great condition for many more years of service. “Give it a water-end service kit once a year, and keep the oil topped up, and our experience is that it’ll run for years.”
He says the pumps’ ability to generate substantial pressure makes them ideal for New Zealand’s challenging rural areas, particularly for pumping water uphill over long distances. “Our pumps are suitable for a wide range of applications, including creek, river, lake, and bore water intake and farm irrigation. They are also ideal for high-head or high-pressure applications, as well as various industrial processes, such as boiler operations and fire-protection priming.”
Track Industries’ pumps division also manufactures deep-well cylinders, deep-well gearing pumps, leather cups, geared pumps, water-control flow units and well riser flanges (which connect pipes on bores to draw water from below ground to the surface for distribution to tanks, houses and troughs). The division also sells pressure tanks, motors, synthetic cups and other pumping accessories.
For farmers considering pump solutions or requiring parts and servicing for existing equipment, Track Industries recommends consulting with local agents, who can provide tailored advice. They are all experts in their areas,” says Jason. “ I believe customers need someone who’s close by, who can come out and solve their problem fast and efficiently. As a production-line manufacturer, increasingly rare in New Zealand today, Track Industries maintains vast quantities of spare parts for all pump ranges, ensuring rapid availability when customers need replacements or repairs.”
*published in Business North Magazine, August 2025 edition, p.60