Air operated pumps

[Hal]

I need to get a pump to handle bulk oil, both waste and new, and occasionally gasoline or diesel. I am pretty much done hand cranking, or pouring from one container to another. Because of the occasional gasoline, I would rather not fool with electric power.

There are a multitude of air operated diaphragm pumps available online, and I am looking for some guidance on my choice. I don't want to pay for more than I need, but don't want to spend a month returning DOA or malfunctioning junk. A lot of the online reviews seem to be either I loved it, or DOA, horrible junk, don't buy, nothing in between.

I just spent about a thousand bucks for a certified lead-free unit for maple syrup, and don't want to go that high if I can help it.

I notice all the cheaper pumps claim to handle "all" petroleum products, but the more expensive warn against "gasoline or flammable liquids".

Is this CYA on the part of the higher end stuff, and the sellers of cheaper ones don't care, or is there a real issue: material compatibility, or static electricity?

I hope to hear from someone whom has actually used one of the pumps in question.

 

[u2slow]

we use air diaphragm pumps at work for oil, coolant, fuel (diesel), and water. the diaphragms are replaceable. one brand i know we have is Dayton.

 

[ArcReactorKC]

I have been using variants of this https://www.grainger.com/product/ARO-Double-Diaphragm-Pump-1-4-19RU82
to pump all kinds of fluids at the shop. We have one we use for anionic polymer which is extremely thick, on the other hand we are using a larger one to pump large volumes of hydraulic fluid.

They are spendy, but as of yet we haven't even needed to rebuild one and they have pumped thousands of gallons very reliably. They do use a large quantity of air though.

 

[RTM]

I'm used to seeing the double diaphragm pump Arc showed above in industrial settings. No idea about air usage, we had giant scroll and recips back then. Many models, might be able to size down to one that uses less.

 

[nadogail]

Wilden and Yamada both make Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pumps. I have enjoyed good results with Wilden pumps;I have no history with the Yamada pumps.