How to identify Your Piston Pump

Whether you’ve just purchased a farm or a bach and discovered that your water supply relies on a piston pump, encountering a broken pump can be frustrating—especially if you lack documentation and the pump has minimal markings. Let’s work together to identify what you have!

Option 1: If possible, please take a photo of your pump and email it to us at pumps@trackind.co.nz. This will help us assist you more effectively.

Option 2: If a photo isn't an option, let's break it down step-by-step:

1. PUMP Size

Start by determining the size of your pump. Pumps generally fall into three categories:

• Small Pumps:
  - Length: 500mm to 800mm
  - Weight: 25-40 kg
  - Can be carried by one person
• Medium Pumps:
  - Length: 1m to 1.5m
  - Weight: 80-200 kg
  - Requires two people to move
• Large Pumps:
  - Length: Over 1.5m
  - Weight: 200-500 kg
  - Typically moved with a forklift or crane

2. Bore Size

The bore size is crucial for identifying your pump. This measurement refers to the water end (head) of the pump, where the plunger cup (made of leather or synthetic material) and piston assembly operate. To find this, you’ll need to remove the end cover and measure the internal diameter of the liner where the plunger cup moves.

• Small Pumps: Bore sizes range from 25mm (1") to 45mm (1 3/4")
• Medium Pumps: Bore sizes range from 50mm (2") to 89mm (3 1/4")
• Large Pumps: Bore sizes range from 100mm (3 1/2") to 127mm (5")

Bore Size (mm)	Bore Size (inch)	Pumps with this bore size
25mm	1"	Renown 150
32mm	11/4"	Renown 200, B1-HP, MacEwans H0-HP
35mm	13/8"	Anderson 253
38mm	11/2"	Renown 400, B1-STD, MacEwans H0-STD
44mm	13/4"	Renown 931, Anderson 402, B1-LP
51mm	2"	C1-HP, PowerFlo AHR
57mm	21/4"	MacEwans H1-HP
60mm	23/8"	Anderson 355-357
64mm	21/2"	Renown 912
67mm	23/4"	Anderson 605-607, C1-STD, MacEwans H1-STD, PowerFlo
76mm	3"	Renown 905, PowerFlo B, MacEwans H2-HP
83mm	31/4"	PowerFlo C
89mm	31/2"	Anderson 1105-1107, MacEwans H2-STD

3. PUMP Design

Different brands have unique designs, which can help in identifying your pump. Let's break it down by brand.

Anderson Pumps

One of the defining characteristics of Anderson pumps is their Water-End (Head) construction, which consists of three main components:

1. Valve Cover: Located at the top, the valve cover sits on the valve plate
2. Valve Plate: This large, flat brass plate houses four valve assemblies—two facing upward and two downward
3. Cylinder: The cylinder forms the core of the head, containing the brass liner where the plunger cups and assembly operate.

These components are secured together with studs and large brass valve nuts. The number of brass nuts can be instrumental in identifying specific pump models:

• Model 253/402: Features one brass nut; small pump weighing approximately 35 kg
• Model 355: Also has one brass nut; medium-sized pump weighing around 100 kg
• Model 605: Contains two brass nuts; weighs about 200 kg
• Models 1105 and 1705: Equipped with six brass nuts, weighing 350 kg and 450 kg, respectively.

 

 

MacEwans Pumps

The MacEwans range stands out with its distinct design, differing from other pumps on the market.

Models H1, H2, and H3 feature a three-part construction that is securely bolted together:

1. Top Chamber: The uppermost component, designed in a bell shape, sits atop the suction chamber
2. Suction Chamber: This chamber includes two valve assemblies that are screwed into its top, facilitating efficient operation
3. Cylinder: The cylinder houses the liner and the other two valve assemblies, forming the core of the pump.

Two long bolts run down each side, ensuring the head components are tightly secured.

Model H0
The H0 head features a simpler structure, consisting of a main cylinder that contains the liner. An air chamber is vertically mounted and secured, with top valve assemblies bolted to the top of the cylinder for optimal functionality.

 

Track B1 and C1 pumps

B1 (300) Pump

The compact B1 (300) weighs approximately 36 kg and measures 600 mm in length. Its valve assemblies are stacked on the head. The delivery side is positioned at the top of the pump, with the valve assemblies sitting vertically on the head. The suction side is located at the bottom of the pump, below the liner and plunger assembly, with the valve assemblies arranged horizontally.

C1 (500) Pump
The larger C1 (500) weighs around 90 kg and is 900 mm long. It follows the same valve configuration as the B1: delivery side on top, vertical in the head; suction side at the bottom, with valve assemblies positioned horizontally.

Valve and Cover Details
On both the B1 and C1, the suction valve caps are secured with a bolt and clamp, while the delivery valves are enclosed by an air chamber. The B1 uses a square-shaped cover, whereas the C1 features a bell-shaped cover.

Valve Seat Design
Please note that the valve seats differ between suction and delivery:

• Delivery valve seat – includes a groove on the face
• Suction valve seat – plain face, no groove
   

 

Wallace-PowerFlo Pumps

The PowerFlo series shares a common back-end and head design, closely resembling the Renown 900 series and some of the earlier Anderson pump designs.

• Suction Valve Assemblies – positioned on the side of the head at a 45-degree angle
• Delivery Valve Assemblies – mounted vertically within the head
• Suction Chamber – fitted to the suction side of the head (factory-installed). On older pumps, this chamber may have been removed.

These are medium-sized pumps, weighing approximately 90–100 kg.

PowerFlo Variants

• PowerFlo C – features an additional chamber cast into the head: a square box located on the suction side of the pump.
• PowerFlo A, B, and AHR – designed with a flat suction side. From the top bell-shaped air chamber to the bottom of the head casting, the side runs flush and smooth (as shown in the image below).

 

Renown Pump Range

The Renown range includes a diverse selection of pumps. Below are the most common models: 150, 200, 400, and the 900 Series.

Renown 150 / 200 / 400

These models share a similar design where the Back-End and Water End are built into a single unit.

• Renown 150 – Uses the same body as the 200, but with 5 bolts around the Side Cover on the head to handle higher pressures.
• Renown 200 – Identical body to the 150, but with only a single brass nut in the centre securing the Side Cover.
  Weight – 150/200: approximately 30 kg
• Renown 400 – A scaled-up version of the same design, weighing approximately 40 kg.

Head/Side Cover design notes:

• 150/200: Earlier versions featured a rounded, pear-shaped head, while newer designs are squarer.
• 400: Only available with the rounded, pear-shaped head.

 

Renown 900 Series

The 900 Series are larger, medium-sized pumps, weighing 90–100 kg. They share the same back-end design and parts, but differ in head and valve configurations.

Renown 912 / 905

• Share the same head design.
• Suction Valve Assemblies – mounted at a 45° angle on the side of the head
• Delivery Valve Assemblies – positioned on top of the head, beneath the bell-shaped air chamber
• Cast markings: 912: “FIG 912” and “2 ½ x 3” on the sides of the head; 905: “FIG 905” and “3 x 3” on the head

Renown 931

• Delivery Valve Assemblies – positioned on top of the head
• Suction Valve Assemblies – located at the bottom of the head, arranged horizontally
• Cast marking: “FIG 931” on the head
• Head design resembles the C1 model