If you need reliable and effective pump equipment for your construction, mining, drilling or irrigation project, it’s important to know the variety of pumps available and their uses. Different types of pump equipment are designed for specific capacities and situations, making some models more suitable than others depending on your project needs.
This guide to construction pumps will cover the differences between portable vs. submersible vs. towable pumps and how to choose the right one for your application. We’ll also explore the benefits of renting your pump equipment from The Cat® Rental Store.
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If you’re looking to rent pump equipment for construction, agriculture or other applications, you first need to know what types of pump equipment are available to you.
While all pumps serve the same purpose 一 to displace large amounts of water or fluids 一 some pumps work for more unique situations. Certain types of construction pumps also have features that make them advantageous in specific settings. The pump's design matters when you’re looking to choose the right solution for your needs.
Below are three types of pump equipment to choose from:
If you need a pump that’s easy to transport between projects or around different areas of the same site, a portable pump can be the right solution. Portable pumps are easy to transport and set up without additional accessories or parts. As stand-alone units, portable pumps are smaller than many other models and can be carried and moved around by one or more people.
While portable pumps provide mobility, the trade-off is that they generally offer lower output capacity compared to mounted or permanently installed pumps. However, because they’re portable, these machines are easy to reposition as needed to ensure you get the thorough dewatering you need. Small portable pumps are also sometimes called self-priming because they do not need a separate pump primer. However, the pump casing does need to be filled with water to prime it before pumping.
Portable pumps range in size, with smaller ones being much easier to position precisely. You can choose from a range of maximum flow rates and discharge head sizes to get the right functionality you need.
Submersible pumps are positioned underwater to push water to the surface, where it gets collected and removed. The pump motor is hermetically sealed, making it waterproof so that it can operate directly within a body of water. To operate a submersible pump, you submerge the entire assembly into the water, making it useful for confined spaces. A submersible pump must remain completely submerged during operation for it to function properly.
Being submerged, a submersible pump operates more efficiently than other types of pumps that use jet-streams because it doesn’t require priming. This is because it operates directly in the water. Without needing separate priming, submersible pumps can save your operation time and effort.
Because submersible pumps push rather than pull water, they conserve more energy and reduce power costs compared to units that remain near the body of water. For this reason, submersible pumps can be used as basement sump pumps in commercial and industrial buildings.
When you need a heavy-duty construction or industrial pump that can be easily transported between job sites, consider a towable pump. Towable pumps are mounted to a two-wheel chassis with a hitch that can attach to your truck or utility vehicle for towing across job sites.
Towable pumps range in design, from self-priming models that only need water added to the pump casing to high-pressure pumps that require separate priming to operate. Coming in a range of maximum flow capacities, towable pumps are available for every size application. With different discharge heads available for a range of pumps, you can find the right towable machine for your situation. Some towable pumps can also handle solids and are rated as trash pumps to help you remove debris in the water and prevent clogging.
When choosing between a portable, submersible or towable pump, it’s important to understand the different uses and applications each type is suited for. When deciding between types of pump equipment, consider whether you need a temporary or permanent solution, what the size of the area is and whether the water in question is saltwater or freshwater, among other factors.
Depending on the size and capacity, portable pumps can be suitable in a range of project sizes, from residential construction to industrial oil and mining jobs. Below are some different portable pump uses:
Submersible pumps have a unique design that allows them to be used in special circumstances where other types of pumps won’t be as effective. Because submersible pumps can be submerged directly in the body of water, they’re used in large drainage and underground projects. The following are some common ways that submersible pumps are utilized:
For immediate pumping needs, a towable pump can be the right solution for easy transportation and temporary use. A towable pump can easily hitch to a vehicle and be transported to a site, making it easy to move from location to location to perform dewatering as needed. Some common towable pump uses include:
In addition to the different uses for each type of pump, there are many other factors to explore when choosing a construction pump model. The type of construction pump you select depends on your specific job requirements. Keeping these considerations in mind can help you choose the right machine for your application:
To find out which water pump is best for your application, it is helpful to speak with knowledgeable professionals who can adequately assess your situation and make an informed decision.
No matter your equipment needs, The Cat Rental Store has the right construction pump for your application. Whether you choose a portable, submersible or towable pump, you can find the right one for your next job.
In addition to our different pump models, The Cat Rental Store carries pumps made by several top brands, including Wacker Neuson, Multiquip, Godwin and Gorman-Rupp. Easily pick the appropriate model for your needs by selecting from various flow rates, discharge head sizes and other critical features.
For all your portable pump needs, choose The Cat Rental Store. Whether you require a short- or long-term portable pumping solution, trust our equipment experts to help you find the ideal solution.
At The Cat Rental Store, you can select a model from the following portable pump rentals:
The Cat Rental Store has you covered for all your submersible pump rentals. Renting a submersible pump provides a short- or long-term deep-well pump solution and allows you to test different pumping machines before installing a permanent assembly. Our various submersible pumps for rent can suit projects large and small, ensuring you complete a job well-done on every work site.
Choose from the following submersible pump rentals:
When you need an emergency pumping solution that’s easy to transport, consider a towable pump rental. Towable pumps come in a range of configurations, discharge heads and flow rates, providing plenty of options for your application. Get the right short- or long-term towable pump rental solution when you do business with one of our locations near you.
Find the following towable pump rentals:
If you need additional help with selecting the right towable, portable or submersible pump size and capacity for your needs, contact The Cat Rental Store near you to speak with a rental expert.
When you need a pump for an emergency, short-term or long-term solution, consider the benefits of renting your pump equipment from The Cat Rental Store. Renting your pump equipment provides many advantages, including getting expert advice from experienced rental representatives and receiving professional machine maintenance.
Some benefits of renting your construction equipment from us include:
Discover more benefits of short-term construction equipment rentals by visiting our store near you.
If you need a short-term or long-term pump equipment rental, choose The Cat Rental Store for your solution. Known for our reliable, high-quality rentals, we can provide you with a high-performing and effective rental pump for the toughest jobs.
For a wide selection of portable, submersible and towable pump rentals, visit The Cat Rental Store location near you today. For exceptional customer service, call us at 1-800-RENT-CAT or fill out a Quick Quote online.
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