Leading pump manufacturer Grindex of Sweden claims that its recently unveiled range of rescue pumps and a new slim-line drainage pump will add more ease to pumping operations.

Grindex Tubo – an electrical submersible drainage pump for restricted access situations and wellpoint applications, was unveiled at the bauma earlier this year.
In normal applications, the Tubo has a maximum head of 19 m. The high-pressure version increases the maximum height to over 35 m. This high head capability combined with a maximum submersion depth of 20 m and a diameter of just 185 mm makes the Tubo ideal for use in well pointing applications, soft, sandy ground and other demanding situations, says the spokesman. The discharge connection is on top of the pump with option of BSP or NPT threaded.
Although designed for down-the-hole and other restricted access applications, the Grindex Tubo is said to retain several proven features of the Grindex range to ensure durable, reliable performance under demanding conditions. These include:

• Double mechanical shaft seals with an oil compartment between the seals to prevent the ingress of water; and
• Chrome alloyed impeller and nitrile rubber diffusers to resist wear in harsh conditions.
  The Tubo can handle solids in suspension up to 8 mm diameter and liquid temperatures up to 40 deg C. The pump motor has a rated output of 3.0 kW, three-phase 400 V as standard.

Rescue pumps
The new range includes the Resq-One for drainage and Resq-Solo for sludge, two modified models from the successful Tuff range alongside three pumps – the Minex, Minette and Salvador – from the Proline range. All pumps are provided with 20 m power cable.
The new products were unveiled at the bauma 2004 construction equipment fair held in Munich Germany early this year.
“A key feature of the Grindex rescue pumps is their ease of use,” says a company spokesman.
The rescue pumps are single phase and equipped with both start and run capacitors for trouble-free starting and optimised motor operating performance.
With the smallest pump weighing just 13.5 kg (drainage) and 15 kg (sludge), getting them into the position where they are most effective is no problem. In addition, Grindex has simplified the set up process, making it easy to start a pump. Users can switch on the pumps by putting it in place, connecting the discharge hose, and plugging it in, says the spokesman.
He continues: “Grindex pumps are recognised for their durability. The corrugate casings maximise resistance from impacts and the reinforced cable protection prevents damage where the cable enters the pump body. In addition, a unique patented air valve allows the impeller to act as a cooling fan when the pump runs dry, enabling the pumps to run without supervision, thereby allowing the personnel to concentrate on the emergency.”
Once installed and operational, these pumps are great performers. The Resq-One can shift water at six litres per second while the Minette discharges 14 litres per second. For sludge handling, the Resq-Solo has a capacity of seven litres per second with particles up to 38 mm diameter. The more powerful Salvador handles 11 litres per second and solids in suspension up to 50 mm in diameter.
“The new range will be welcomed by firemen and emergency services that require small yet powerful pumps for public service applications,” says the spokesman. The compact, lightweight and extremely durable rescue pumps take up little space in routine utility vehicles such as service trucks and can also be stored close to where the risk is, for immediate installation.
The pumps make a very cost-effective solution for what could be an extremely expensive emergency and for many, they are as essential as a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher, he says.
Grindex markets, distributes and support its products around the world. For more than 40 years, the Swedish company has earned a reputation around the world for reliability, durability and performance in a wide range of demanding dewatering applications.
Although the pumps were originally designed for construction, mining, quarrying applications, over the years, emergency and rescue services around the world have recognised the benefit of these highly portable submersible pumps for their ability to be used quickly in an emergency.
The new range of rescue pumps has been launched in the European market and the Tubo will be available worldwide through the company’s regional subsidiary and dealer network, he adds.