What is exactly is a furl transfer pump and why would you need one? That’s what we will look into today.

And while our recent fuel transfer pump review round up covered some of these details, our aim there was to give you the complete low down on some of the best pumps on the market.

If you remain undecided on whether a transfer pump is the right choice for you, we will clear that up by the end of this article.

First though, let’s dive in with the basics.

What is a fuel transfer pump?

The simplest way to describe a transfer pump is to look at what the name of the product actually tells you.

In its simplest terms, the pump is used to conveniently move fuel from one place to another.

Normally this transfer takes place from a fuel storage tank to a vehicle via a pump and dispensing nozzle.

What does a fuel transfer pump do?

To elaborate on the process of transferring fuel from one location to another, a transfer pump can also be used to transfer fuel from one car to another.

The pumping process means that fuel can even be transferred from the vehicle to a strand alone storage tank.

The right transfer pump with sufficient power is a very versatile beast.

What kind of fuels does a fuel transfer pump work with?

Most transfer pumps have been designed for commercial use. This means diesel is the most common type of fuel that is used.

However, the same technology can also be used for petrol, even food products such as olive oil.

Which is the best fuel transfer pump for me? (How to choose)

There’s a number of factors to consider when deciding whether a transfer pump is the right choice for you. These include:

Power Source

The three choices you have here are mains, battery or manual powered pumps.

To decide which is the best for you, you need to consider the circumstances you will normally be using the pump.

If fuelling using a static fuel tank at home or work, a pump that works of a regular power supply, (ie 110v or 230v) will be the best option.

If you’ll be working away from mains power, a low voltage 12v or 24v DC fuel transfer pump that can be easily connected up to your vehicle battery is the way to go.

A manual fuel pump is a cheap way to have access to a fuel transfer pump, but is only recommended for light uses and small volumes of fuel.

• Related Content: Best fuel transfer tank – top 5 reviews

Flow Rate

Flow rate is exactly what it says on the tin. A unit with higher flow rate will mean you can transfer fuel faster.

If you are fuelling commercial vehicles, with large tanks on a regular basis, you will need a high flow rate pump, (70lpm is recommended for trucks and large vans).

For even bigger vehicles such as lorries and buses, 90lpm is advised.

On the other end of the scale, cars and motorbikes would only require a flow rate of 50lpm.

Weights & Measurements

In a situation where the amount of fuel being transferred has to be carefully recorded, you will need a pump that has the facility to measure weights and volumes of fuel.

This is a necessity for situations where fuel is being sold. It is also recommended where company accounts need to have a record of fuel consumed.

And there you have it, our short OC guide on the fuel transfer pump. If you are looking to buy one we recommend you take a look at our top 5 review round up here.

We lifted the lid off 5 of the best transfer pumps currently available, (across a host of price points and functionality), in order to highlight what’s available for all budgets.

Enjoy and happy pumping 🙂