Should I choose a transfer pump or a fire fighting pump?

If you need a pump mainly for transferring water but also want it as a backup for fire defence, choose a fire fighting pump. It also transfers water well.

Do I need an electric or engine driven pump?

Choose engine driven if you need to move the pump around or run it without mains power, as in a bushfire. Choose electric for a fixed pump that runs for long periods.

What does max head mean?

The total height a pump can move water, counting the suction height and the lift. At max head the pressure is zero.

Which pump handles dirty water?

A trash pump. Ours pass solids up to 25 mm or 28 mm depending on the model.

Pump guide

How to choose a water pump

Choose a water pump in three steps: work out the job, check the head and flow you need, then pick the engine and fuel. This guide covers engine driven pumps, which is all we make.

Pump types

Knowing the main types of pump helps you rule out the wrong ones.

What we make

Engine driven

Driven by a petrol or diesel engine. They are portable and run without mains power. Every Water Master pump is engine driven.

Electric

Often stationary, such as a pump that gives a house water pressure. They run for long periods but need power.

Jet

Designed to draw water from deep sources such as bores and wells. Most are electric.

Diaphragm

Use a different mechanism to centrifugal pumps, for thick contents such as sewage and mud.

Stationary

Large pumps for industry and agriculture that move big volumes over long periods. Our parent company Welling & Crossley makes large pump engines and generators.

Welling & Crossley

Match the pump to the job

Job	Fire fighting pump	Transfer pump	Trash pump
Defend a home or farm from fire	Best fit	Not designed for	Not designed for
Fill tanks and move clean water	Also suits	Best fit	Also suits
Irrigate from a dam or tank	Also suits	Best fit	Not designed for
Wash down vehicles and equipment	Best fit	Not designed for	Not designed for
Dewater a work site	Also suits	Also suits	Best fit
Pump flood water or water with solids	Not designed for	Not designed for	Best fit
Pump effluent or slurry	Not designed for	Not designed for	Best fit

Defend a home or farm from fire
- Fire fightingBest fit
- TransferNot designed for
- TrashNot designed for
Fill tanks and move clean water
- Fire fightingAlso suits
- TransferBest fit
- TrashAlso suits
Irrigate from a dam or tank
- Fire fightingAlso suits
- TransferBest fit
- TrashNot designed for
Wash down vehicles and equipment
- Fire fightingBest fit
- TransferNot designed for
- TrashNot designed for
Dewater a work site
- Fire fightingAlso suits
- TransferAlso suits
- TrashBest fit
Pump flood water or water with solids
- Fire fightingNot designed for
- TransferNot designed for
- TrashBest fit
Pump effluent or slurry
- Fire fightingNot designed for
- TransferNot designed for
- TrashBest fit

Fire fighting

High pressure, moderate flow. Defends homes from fire and also transfers water.

Fire fighting pumps

Transfer

High flow, moderate pressure. Moves clean water in 1″ to 4″ sizes.

Water transfer pumps

Trash

Very high flow, moderate pressure. Moves water containing solids and debris.

Trash pumps

Head and flow

Flow

Flow is measured in litres per minute (L/min). The higher the flow, the more water you move in a given time.

Max head

Max head is how high a pump can move water: the height it sucks from plus the height it lifts to. If you need to suck water up 5 metres and move it to a point 25 metres above the pump, you need a pump with more than 30 metres of max head.

Pressure

Pressure is linked to head. At a pump's max head the pressure falls to zero, so choose a pump with head to spare and think about how far from the pump you need the pressure.

Petrol or diesel

Petrol

Petrol pumps cost less and come in more models.

Diesel

Diesel pumps are more fuel efficient and better suited to running for long periods. They cost more. Diesel is less flammable than petrol, so it can be safer.

Warranty and support

Quality

Choose a name that uses quality materials and engines. Our fire fighting and transfer pumps are cast aluminium, our trash pumps are cast iron, and our engines come from Honda and Yanmar.

Warranty

Water Master covers the pump and frame for 12 months, or 24 months on the MH15-SHP and MH215-SHP. Honda covers GX engines for 36 months and Yanmar covers its engine for 12 months.

Warranty details

Service

Engine driven pumps need regular maintenance and sometimes parts. Our dealer network supplies parts and service, and our branches are a phone call away.

Find a dealer

Our range at a glance

Model	Type	Size	Engine	Max head	Max flow	Weight
MH15-SHP	Fire fighting	1.5″	Honda GX160	74.5 m	390 L/min	24 kg
MH215-SHP	Fire fighting	1.5″	Honda GX200	74.5 m	570 L/min	27 kg
MYD15HPE	Fire fighting	1.5″	Yanmar L70N	60 m	640 L/min	70 kg
MH10-2	Transfer	1″	Honda GX25	33 m	130 L/min	6.2 kg
MH20-2	Transfer	2″	Honda GX160	32 m	610 L/min	25 kg
MH30-2	Transfer	3″	Honda GX160	32 m	1,000 L/min	27 kg
MH40-2	Transfer	4″	Honda GX270	33 m	1,420 L/min	50 kg
MH40E-2	Transfer	4″	Honda GX270	33 m	1,420 L/min	55.5 kg
MH30T-2	Trash	3″	Honda GX270	30 m	1,400 L/min	65 kg
MH40T-2	Trash	4″	Honda GX270	28 m	2,000 L/min	80 kg
MH40TE-2	Trash	4″	Honda GX270	28 m	2,000 L/min	85 kg

Pump guide questions

Questions about a pump?

Call 1300 833 513 or email info@watermaster.com.au.

Find a dealer Call 1300 833 513