How to find the best hand pump for your design project

3 views of Sarum Hydraulics Hand Pumps, 1 in reality, 1 in a 3d design environment on Solidworks, and 1 as shown on a technical drawing

How to select, configure and integrate hand pumps for designers and specifiers.

With a massive range of pressures, flows and formats for all sorts of operating conditions, where do you start?

Work up a specification. Start with pressures and fluids. Try to find the fluid generic type, not a single trade name. Describe the functionality and what circuitry needs to be included in the pump and what is external.

Maybe your hand pump only needs inlet and outlet check valves. Or maybe a release valve, relief valve, gauge or four way directional control valve. What is the fluid and what temperature range? Reservoir or no reservoir? Is the pump for filling, charging, testing actuation or what other duty? The application or duty will also govern the choice of materials. For example, use in an offshore splash zone or subsea Are there any overriding requirements like a hazardous area and the need for ATEX/IECEx certified equipment. A good designer or specifier will record the history of how they ended up with their specification should a question arise. With a massive range of our own pumps, we are the experts. We will also say if the requirement isn’t within our capability.

A specification is only a starting point. Keep in mind that moving away from mainstream products adds to cost and normally lead time. In the limit, you won’t be able to source something too exotic. Compromise with a customer may be needed but do documents the process. For example, dropping 10 degrees on the minimum temperature might move you from nitrile seals to something more exotic. Yes, that lower temperature may be a big thing for the customer if the unit is being used in near the Arctic Circle.

EXAMPLE SPECIFICATION TABLE

These are typical considerations to keep in mind when specifying a hand pump. We can help with and advise you on any of these questions should you need any guidance.

Specification:	Answer:
What maximum pressure do you need to reach?	Example: 350 bar
Do you have a specific flow rate to achieve? Is your preference to have more control on pressure, or maximum flow rate?	Example: No specific requirement. Prefer max flow rate over precise pressure control.
Operating Handle length or load restrictions?	Example: space envelope where unit will be used only has a gap of 1 metre
What is the operating fluid? Do you want a specific seal compound fitted?	Example: Mineral oil, 32 weight.
What is the operating temperature? Minimum and maximum if possible.	Example: Minimum of 3°C, maximum 35°C
Do you need a release valve fitted to the pump to vent system pressure back to the pump or reservoir?	Example: Yes
Do you require a pressure gauge? Does it need to be calibrated for accuracy or just as a reference?	Example: Yes, for reference only. Not calibrated.
Do you need a relief valve to limit maximum pressure on the pump?	Example: Yes, maximum pump pressure should not exceed 350 bar.
Do you need a fluid reservoir? Portable or fixed designs?	Example: 3 litre fluid reservoir required. Prefer fixable model against wall.
What environment is the unit being used in? Offshore / potentially explosive atmospheres? Other harsh or demanding locations?	Example: Workshop use. No harsh environment. Not ATEX or IECEx certified.
Do you need specific inlet or outlet fittings to be compatible with a wider system? Hoses? Other valves or hydraulic components we can help with?	Example: Hose required with 1/4BSP female fittings
Anything else pertinent to your system you think we need to know? Large quantity? Quick delivery deadlines?	Example: 1 off required, 4 week delivery deadline.

What can we offer at the design and specifier stage for your proposal?

Expect competent engineering support on your proposal through the whole process, with data sheets, 2D drawings and 3D models available. None of our hand pumps are factored, so we know exactly the configuration for today and for years past. They are all our own Micropac products made in our Salisbury UK factory. We are passionate about our own specialist product. A product that for decades has offered good value, long service life and low cost spares. Start that discussion now.

If you are browsing our web site, we have set out Products, Solutions and Industries as a means of helping match the right product to your need.

What Micropac pumps can we offer?

Our hand pumps run up to 1000 bar, configured exactly as you require them. Whether you are filling, charging, hydrostatic pressure testing, providing standby power or powering actuators, there is a unit for you. Configure a pump with your choice of materials and seals to meet your exact need. Specify a component pump to pipe into your system, a pump on a fixed reservoir, one of the portable carry-around MP series or our 2 wheel carts and four wheel trolley units. Reservoirs range from 1 litre up to 100 litres. Talk to us about your ideal pump solution.

How can a pump that is ideally suited to the application can give you that big competitive edge in your design?

As a designer, you always strive to provide something that is “better” but without taking risks or adding cost. Is the big requirement space envelope, mass, cost, durability or one of lots of overlapping big issues in the design brief? One of our customers required a truly miniature hand pump for a vehicle seat lift coupled with a very small pull cylinder. Our Micropac MC series pump is a specialist small displacement hand pump with an integral reservoir machined into the compact body. We offered both our MC series pump, a small pull cylinder of our design and a micro bore Parker Polyflex hose. This combination was a big element in the design. Something that was unique and not offered by other people yet used our standard Micropac parts for reliability and low cost. It has been a great success over many years. Have we an interesting pump that might make your design stand out or make the project happen? Talk to us.

What can we offer to make a real difference to your hand pump proposal?

We are driven by Engineering and a passion for our own Micropac product, not meeting sales targets for factored products. If our product isn’t for you, we will say. Expect seamless technical information to help you finalise your design. Talk to us.

Should I deal with Sarum Hydraulics or a massive manufacturer?

We specialise in our own product sector and have over 40 years of experience as designers and manufacturers. We are not offering a massive range of products through distributors and diluting the product knowledge. The major manufacturers are keen on selling through distributors and not talking about applications. Engineering is our passion. We are an ISO 9001:2015 registered company and hold Cage code U5148. The company is JOSCAR registered and an approved supplier to a wide range of companies throughout the world. Include Sarum Hydraulics as your approved hydraulic hand pump supplier.

Quality British hydraulics. Valued by Professionals since 1982.

Our Micropac® hydraulic hand pumps started with an exhibition enquiry in 1981. A big construction company had searched the world for a durable high pressure hand pump for their specialist water hydraulics application, with no success. That was our first product to meet that need and we still make it to this day.

We are proud of our hand pumps. A properly engineered hand pump for multiple fluids including water, oil, fuels and a lot more. Hard chromed 316 stainless rod and a 316 stainless liner for low corrosion. Soft seat and poppet check valves for very low leakage and easy servicing. PTFE bearings for low lubricity fluids. Serviceable, not throwaway. Plus, great Engineering support on your application from the Micropac® hand pump experts.

We now sell our Micropac® pumps throughout the world, but at heart they are the same well engineered British equipment from true specialists. Whether you are a designer, specifier, reseller or user, Micropac® is a brand that is trusted and valued by Professionals.

Our Products

Hand pumps from 1 to 1000 bar on multiple fluids.
Single speed, two speed, cartridge and CETOP pumps.
Fixed, portable carry-around reservoirs plus service carts
and trolleys.
Air driven pumps and combined hand/air driven units.
Hydraulic jacks, filters and presses.
Anodised alloy, carbon steel and 316 stainless.
ATEX/IECEx certified for hazardous areas.

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Our Solutions

We provide full Engineering support on even the most basic products for everyday applications.
Move to more demanding applications and we have
considerable experience.

Explore some of our different operating conditions and requirements for customers and users worldwide.

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