How to Choose the Best Fuel Transfer Pump for Your Application

With numerous fuel transfer pump options available, selecting the right one for your needs can be challenging. This series of simple questions will narrow down your choices and lead you to the best fuel transfer pump for your application.

1. What type of work will you do with your fuel transfer pump?

First, determine whether you need a Standard Duty or a Commercial Duty/Heavy Duty fuel transfer pump. Will you be refueling small equipment like lawn mowers and recreational vehicles, or will you be fueling heavy equipment out in the field?

Examples of standard duty use include:

• Landscape/lawn service (lawnmowers)
• Small farms (small tractors and equipment)
• ATVs/snowmobiles
• Racing/automotive
• Electrical/plumbing contractors

Examples of commercial duty/heavy duty use include:

• Construction sites
• Large farms/farm equipment
• Logging
• Mining operations
• Oil exploration

Why is it important to choose the right pump?

Commercial duty pumps, like GPI’s GPRO line, have higher flow rates and larger motors to meet the demands of heavy-duty industrial and agricultural use. They’re designed to fill large gas tanks quickly and withstand the most rugged conditions. Standard-duty pumps are engineered and constructed for everyday use.

2. What power source will you use to operate the pump? Will you use a mobile or fixed tank installation?

Consider whether you will have access to your building’s electrical service to run your pump, or if you need a battery-powered pump for field use.

Electric fuel transfer pumps come in two basic types:

• 12V DC power for mobile applications (like a tank in a truck bed)
• 115V AC power for fixed applications (like an above-ground fuel storage tank)

In commercial duty lines, you will also see mobile 24V DC and fixed 230V AC pumps.

The fuel transfer pump you choose MUST match your power supply. You can’t power a 115V pump effectively with a 12V battery. On the flip side, trying to power a 12V pump with a 115V power supply will not only damage the pump but also be dangerous.

If you don’t have access to a power supply, you need a hand pump. These simple-to-use and economical pumps transfer fluid safely and cleanly. Choose the transfer method you prefer (lever-action piston pump, diaphragm pump, or rotary-action pump), then check the features to ensure it works with the fluid you want to transfer. The GPI HP-100 is a premium hand pump for gasoline and diesel fuels that generates twice the flow of other models.

3. What type of fluid do you need to transfer?

Now that you know the basic type of fuel transfer pump you need, it’s time to look at the features of individual models to see what types of fluids they transfer. Not all pumps work for all fluids.

Most fuel transfer pumps handle gasoline, diesel, ethanol, and kerosene. However, other pumps are designed for lubricants and high-viscosity fluids such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and antifreeze. Make sure the pump you select matches the fluid you need to transfer.

4. How often will you use your fuel transfer pump? What size of the equipment fuel tank will you be filling?

Consider the frequency of use and the size of the fuel tank you’ll be filling. Will you use your pump occasionally or every day? Is time a factor when refueling? Will you be filling a 3-gallon tank on a riding lawnmower, or a 300-gallon gas tank on a combine?

Your answers will determine the flow rate you need for your pump. Flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM), impacts how quickly you can refuel. A pump with a GPM rating that’s too low will take a long time to refuel large tanks, while one with a rating that's too high may cause spillage or frothing.

Also consider whether you want a manual or automatic nozzle. An automatic nozzle has an automatic shutoff feature for hands-free refueling. This feature costs more than manual, but may well be worth it in the long run if it frees you up for other tasks.

Looking for specific fuel transfer pump recommendations?

This Product Selection Guide provides specific fuel transfer pump recommendations for your application, power source, and tank size. It even offers recommendations for corresponding meters and accessories.