flot pumps

[cbblood]

do any of you use flot pumps and do you like them do thay work good and what brand is beter

[coldfront]

My rural department uses two types of floating pumps.We have two waterous Floto -pumps that have one 1.5 inch discharge and flows around 140-160 gallons per minute.We have had the units in operation since the early eighty's.The are a pain in the *** to start sometimes, however they do come handy during wildland fire operations.We have also used them for mopup during structure fires.During freezing conditions they have saved homes.In those cases truck were out of water with no chance of tanking in water,we pressed the float pumps into service in nearby ponds or creeks.The water could not be reached any other way.

We have also recently purchased a Hale Chief II floating pump with a max flow of 410 GPM for drafting from streams or ponds.The pump as two 2.5 inch discharges.The pump is standard equipment on our water tanker/tender.

We like our float pumps!

[FFCOPEMT]

I don't know about the Hale, but those Waterous pumps are real noisy.....but still a good pump.

[CMullen8]

My rural department uses two types of floating pumps.We have two waterous Floto -pumps that have one 1.5 inch discharge and flows around 140-160 gallons per minute.We have had the units in operation since the early eighty's.The are a pain in the *** to start sometimes, however they do come handy during wildland fire operations.We have also used them for mopup during structure fires.During freezing conditions they have saved homes.In those cases truck were out of water with no chance of tanking in water,we pressed the float pumps into service in nearby ponds or creeks.The water could not be reached any other way.

We have also recently purchased a Hale Chief II floating pump with a max flow of 410 GPM for drafting from streams or ponds.The pump as two 2.5 inch discharges.The pump is standard equipment on our water tanker/tender.

We like our float pumps!

My department has one similar to the Waterous described; it makes an excellent addition to fire suppression where a swimming pool is present. We dropped ours in the pool and used this as an additional handline in the rear of a fully involved structure. As mentioned earlier, the pumps are very loud, but lighter and more dependable than the conventional portable pumps we carry.

[mikeyboy]

Our Hale Floto-Pump is awesome..... regarding the noise factor though, I've found that most are very noisy due to most being two strokes.

[NonSurfinCaFF]

The Hale floto-pumps are pretty good but I prefer the portable pumps that sit beside the water and use a draft hose.

There are several with Honda motors that are very nice, easy to start, reliable and relatively quiet.

[devildog4]

Yu shud lern how too spel be4 yu ax a qushtawn.

[slackjawedyokel]

the biggest problem is they are used in a pool or porta pond --- as the level drops , the discharge line will cause it to tilt and lose prime. Most have little clearance and clog easily if used in a silty water source.

[pletch]

Im understand that float pump are good for some department, however, ours sit in a corner busted and it been used a good dozen times, we simily are able to get more water with a draft than take the time to set up the pump and actually get it working.