What is the best fuel transfer pump on the market today? That’s what we will look into with this top 5 review round-up.

We have selected a range of transfer pumps, from manually operated units to 12V fast flow rate, battery-powered options.

For our findings at a glance, just head to the table below. For an in-depth review of each of our choices, plus a detailed buyer’s guide, keep on reading.

Best Fuel Transfer Pump – Top 5

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Fuel Transfer Pump Reviews

The different models of fuel transfer pump that we have selected can be rated and compared based on their design quality, durability, work efficiency, safety, and cost-performance considerations.

That’s the approach we have taken with this top 5 round-up. So without further delay, let’s jump into the review section.

1. TOP PICK: Fill-Rite FR1210G Fuel Transfer Pump

The Fill-Rite FR1210G is a high-performance, 12-volt, DC-powered fuel transfer pump that comes with a telescoping suction pipe, manual release nozzle, and a 12-foot long static-wire (delivery) hose.

Its flow capacity is 15GPM (or 57LPM) and is suited to transfer diesel, gasoline, kerosene, B20 diesel fuel, E-15 gasoline, and mineral spirits.

Its 12-volt DC motor has a power rating of 0.25horsepowers (HP) and its current requirement is 20amperes.

It is a positive displacement, non-continuous flow pump that uses a rotary vane to create suction as well as pump fuel out of the fuel chamber.

Its powerful rotary vane pump can achieve operating speeds of up-to 2600 revolutions-per-minute (rpm) and a maximum lift of 37feet.

Likewise, it can lift liquid that is stored up-to 8feet below its inlet port. This model is made by FillRite, a subsidiary of the U.S-based manufacturing company, TutHill.

This portable model weighs about 34pounds, which allows it to be fitted into small vehicles or the back of small trucks for use in on-site fuel transfer.

The fully-assembled pump unit (excluding the suction pipe and delivery hose) is 17inches long, 11inches wide, and 17inches tall.

It features a nozzle housing where the manual nozzle unit can be mounted and even locked, when not in use. The various non-mobile metallic parts of this part are welded together using the MIG-welding technique.

The flexible delivery hose is black in color, and its durability and strength are enhanced by being impregnated by static wire. Its inlet port allows for a suction pipe that has a diameter of 1-inch to be threaded into its fitting.

On the other hand, its outlet port allows for a 90-degree hub elbow with a diameter of 3/4inches to be threaded securely.

The delivery hose is then threaded to the hub elbow, and its front end is threaded into the fitting of the manual release nozzle assembly. The nozzle fitting has an internal diameter of 3/4inches which ensures the delivery hose is snugly tightened into the nozzle assembly.

Also, an automatic nozzle assembly can be connected with the delivery hose. This model comes with an 18feet long power cord.

The telescoping suction pipe that comes with this pump is made from steel and has a minimum length of 20inches, which can be telescoped to a maximum of 33.75inches.

This pump features a thermal protection switch that avoids the need for a circuit protection fuse, as any circuit overload causes the temperature in the internal circuitry to rise up hence triggering the thermal protection switch to turn off the pump.

The pump is threaded securely into the top (or sometimes to the side) of the storage tank via its threaded mount that has a diameter of 2inches.

This fuel transfer pump is suited for use with mobile tanks, farming vehicles (including tractors), and engine-powered construction equipment such as backhoe loaders, skid-steer loaders, bulldozers, and excavators.

It can be mounted on the truck-bed or placed next to the vehicle whose battery is to be used to power the pump.

Its housing features O-ring and a BUNA-N mechanical seal which prevents fluid leakage hence ensuring that the pump operates efficiently.

This also allows it to achieve a remarkable maximum lift. The maximum lift of a pump is the height to which, or how high up, it can pump liquid fuel. This model also comes with a built-in strainer.

The Fill-Rite power pump has a duty cycle of 30minutes, that is, it can continuously transfer fuel at a constant flow rate for 30minutes without any need to shut it off.

The housing of this model is made from heavy-duty cast iron, while its wetted parts (that is, parts that come into direct contact with the liquid being pumped) are made from BUNA-N nitrile rubber.

The rotor vane is made from sintered bronze while the rotor is made from cast-bronze that has been coated by powdered iron.

This pump has been approved as well as earned the following certifications; ATEX, UL, and cUL. The UL and cUL certifications show that it is recognized as an explosion-proof power pump.

The Fill-Rite FR1210G comes with a 24-month warranty provided by FullRite.

Bottom-line

The Fill-Rite FR1210G is a high-performance, low-flow rate 12-volt, 20amp and 0.25HP DC-powered fuel transfer pump that comes with a telescoping suction pipe, manual release nozzle, and a 12-foot long static-wire (delivery) hose.

With a flow capacity of 15GPM (or 57LPM) the unit is suited to transferring diesel, gasoline, kerosene, B20 diesel fuel, E-15 gasoline, and mineral spirits.

This rotary-vane positive displacement, non-continuous flow pump can achieve operating speeds of up-to 2600revolutions-per-minute (rpm) and a maximum lift of 37feet.

The overall design quality, durability and high work efficiency of the Fill-Rite FR1210G make it our top choice fuel transfer pump for 2018.

2. BEST BUDGET: TeraPump A-TRFA01-001 Fuel Tranfer Pump

The TeraPump A-TRFA01 is a second-generation DC battery-powered fuel transfer pump that can run off 4 AA-sized batteries. It has a flow capacity of 3GPM/11LPM.

This self-priming power pump comes with a flexible 35-inch long intake hose and a 2-feet long discharge hose that is fitted to a no-spill, auto-stop nozzle assembly.

Both its intake hose and discharge hose can fit into standard-sized plastic fuel cans. It also comes with 3 differently-sized adapters that allow its hoses to fit into non-standard fuel cans.

This low-weight and super-portable pump can be used anywhere within the workplace.

This model is made by TeraPump, and its model number is A-TRFA01-001.

The model weighs only 1.2pounds, which allows it to be mounted on the workbench, and if one is in the field, then it can be fitted into small vehicles for use in on-site fuel transfer. It is suited for transferring diesel, gasoline, and kerosene.

The fully-assembled pump unit (excluding the intake and discharge hoses) is 14inches long, 6inches wide, and 3.5inches tall. The color scheme for this pump model is white.

The flexible suction and delivery hoses are transparent. Both hoses are made from lightweight, yet strong and durable plastic.

The intake hose comes with a built-in threaded adapter that needs to be threaded on top of the fuel can, and if the fuel can come with a non-standard outlet, then a suitable adapter among the 3 adapters that are shipped alongside this model are selected and fitted to the intake hose.

On the backside of the pump is a removable panel that allows one to access the battery compartment. This compartment allows for a maximum of 4 size-AA batteries.

The standard 1.5volts non-rechargeable batteries work well. This also means that this model can work with 6-volts DC power.

The TeraPump is suited for use with engine-powered portable generators, small vehicles and engine-powered home-gardening equipment such as lawn-mowers.

Its housing features mechanical seals that prevent fluid leakage hence ensuring that the pump operates efficiently, as well as quickly achieve its maximum lift.

The housing of this model is made from heavy-duty plastic, and below the battery cover are 2 buttons for turning the pump on or off. The housing also provides a mount for placing the nozzle when not in use.

Bottom-line

The TeraPump is a well-built, second-generation DC(battery)-powered self-priming fuel transfer pump.

The flow rate is low at only 3GPM/11LPM, however, the fact it can be run off just 4 AA-sized standard batteries makes this an extremely handy pump to have available.

Easy to set up and operate this comes highly recommended for those after an affordable transfer pump kit.

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3. Fuelworks 10304010A Fuel Transfer Pump

The Fuelworks 10203010A is a 12-volt, DC-powered, fuel transfer pump that comes with an extensible suction pipe, 13-foot long delivery hose, and a manual release nozzle.

This self-priming pump has a flow capacity of 10GPM (or 37LPM) and is suited to transfer diesel only.

It is a positive displacement, non-continuous flow pump that uses a rotary vane to create suction as well as pump fuel out of the fuel chamber.

It comes with a by-pass valve. This model is made by FuelWorks, and its model number is 10304010A.

This compactly-built and portable model weighs about 17pounds, which allows it to be fitted into small vehicles for use in on-site fuel transfer.

The fully-assembled pump unit (excluding the suction pipe and delivery hose) is 12.6inches long, 12.6inches wide, and 7.9inches tall.

It features a nozzle housing where the manual nozzle unit can be mounted and even locked, when not in use.

Just like the Fill-Rite FR1210G, the outlet port of Fuelworks 10304010A allows for a 90-degree hub elbow with a diameter of 3/4inches to be threaded securely.

The delivery hose is then threaded to the hub elbow, and its front end is threaded into the fitting of the manual release nozzle assembly.

The nozzle fitting has an internal diameter of 3/4inches which ensures the delivery hose is snugly tightened into the nozzle assembly. On the other hand, its inlet port allows for the extensible suction pipe to be threaded into its fitting.

Its power cord comes with a pair of alligator clips that allow one to quickly connect this model to the car battery, and then quickly disconnect it after it has accomplished its task.

This pump features a thermal protection switch which avoids the need for a circuit protection fuse. The pump is threaded securely into the top (or sometimes to the side) of the storage tank via its threaded mount.

The Fuelworks is suited for use with farming vehicles (including tractors) and engine-powered construction equipment such as backhoe loaders and skid-steer loaders.

It can be mounted on the truck-bed or placed next to the vehicle whose battery is to be used to power the pump.

Its housing features a BUNA-N mechanical seal which prevents fluid leakage hence ensuring that the pump operates efficiently and quickly achieves its maximum lift. This unit has a duty cycle of 30 minutes.

The housing of this model is made from heavy-duty cast iron, while its wetted parts (that is, parts that come into direct contact with the liquid being pumped) are made from BUNA-N nitrile rubber.

The rotor vane and the rotor are made from high-quality corrosion-resistant materials.

Bottom-line

The Fuelworks 10304010A is a durable, 12-volts DC-powered self-priming fuel transfer pump with a flow rating of 10GPM/37LPM, and can only be used to transfer diesel.

It comes with an extensible suction pipe, 13-foot long delivery hose, and a manual release nozzle. If you are after a reliable pump for farming, of other types of diesel vehicles the Fuelworks represents an excellent choice.

4. GoPlus 20GPM Fuel Transfer Pump

The GoPlus is a well-designed, 12-volt, DC-powered fuel transfer pump that comes with a telescoping suction pipe, manual release nozzle, and a 12-foot long delivery hose.

The flow capacity of this self-priming model is a high 20GPM/75.7LPM. The model is suited to transfer diesel, gasoline, kerosene, heptane, hexane, and mineral spirits.

The GoPlus comes with an integrated by-pass valve. Its 12-volt, 264-watts DC motor has a power rating of 0.25horsepowers (HP) and its current requirement is 22amperes.

It is a positive displacement, non-continuous flow pump that can achieve operating speeds of up to 2600rpm and a maximum lift of 37feet.

Likewise, it can lift liquid that is stored up-to 8feet below its inlet port. This pump features oil seals and its ball-bearing constructions eliminate the need for constant lubrication. This model is made by GoPlus.

This compactly-designed and portable model can be fitted into small vehicles for use in on-site fuel transfer.

The fully-assembled pump unit features a nozzle housing where the manual nozzle unit can be mounted and even locked, when not in use.

Its inlet port allows for a suction pipe that has a diameter of 1-inch to be threaded into its fitting. On the other hand, its outlet port allows for a 90-degree hub elbow with a diameter of up-to 1inches to be threaded securely.

Even though the delivery hose shipped with this model is 3/4inches wide, this model comes with a 3/4-to-1inch adapter that enables one to connect a 1-inch thick delivery hose.

The delivery hose is first threaded to the hub elbow, and its front end is threaded into the fitting of the manual release nozzle assembly.

The nozzle fitting ensures the delivery hose is snugly tightened into the nozzle assembly. Moreover, an automatic nozzle assembly can be connected with the delivery hose.

The telescoping suction pipe that comes with this pump is made from steel. This pump features circuit protection. The pump unit can be threaded securely into the top (or sometimes to the side) of the storage tank via its threaded mount.

This fuel transfer pump is suited for use with trucks, farming vehicles (including tractors) and engine-powered construction equipment such as backhoe loaders, skid-steer loaders, bulldozers, and excavators.

It can be mounted on the truck-bed or placed next to the vehicle whose battery is to be used to power the pump.

Its housing features mechanical seals that prevent fluid leakage hence ensuring that the pump operates efficiently and also achieves its remarkable maximum lift.

The GoPlus pump has a duty cycle of 30minutes. The housing of this model is made from heavy-duty cast iron, while its wetted parts are made of nitrile rubber.

This model is recognized as an explosion-proof power pump.

Bottom-line

The GoPlus 20GPM is a high-performance, 12-volts DC-powered self-priming fuel transfer pump with a flow rating of 20GPM/75.7LPM.

Its versatile application means it can be used to transfer diesel, gasoline, kerosene, heptane, hexane, gasoline, and mineral spirits.

A robust choice that customers highly recommended.

5. Gastapper Pro V60 Fuel Transfer Pump

The Gastapper Pro is a high-flow rate 12-volt, DC-powered fuel transfer pump that comes packaged in its specialized air-tight weather-proof carrying case, and is shipped alongside its suction pipe, nozzle, and a 16-foot long delivery hose.

The flow capacity of the model is a very high 30GPM/113.6LPM. This makes the unit suited to transferring diesel, gasoline, blended alcohol, and biodiesel as well as aircraft fuel.

The fact it can be used to transfer fuel into aircraft and boats, which makes it a suitable transfer pump for maritime and aviation uses.

The Gastapper also comes with two 8-foot long coils of USA-standard fuel lines, with the diameter of each coil being 3/8inches.

There is a 6-foot line that has a diameter of 1/4inches. These coils give the user the option to use this pump for refueling cars, boats, or airplanes.

It also features a 12-volt auto-power plug and an inline switch that can be connected to the 15-foot long 12V power cord. This model is made by GasTapper.

The unit weighs about 4.4pounds, which allows it to be fitted on any workbench or on small vehicles for use in on-site fuel transfer.

The fully-assembled pump unit (excluding the suction pipe and delivery hose) is 11.5inches long, 9.5inches wide, and 4inches tall. The color scheme for this pump model is black.

The flexible delivery hose is transparent and is made from a strong, durable material. Its inlet port allows for a suction pipe to be threaded into its fitting; while its outlet port allows for a delivery hose to be threaded securely, with or without using a hub elbow.

The front end of the delivery hose is then threaded into the nozzle assembly.

This pump features circuit protection. The pump unit can be threaded securely into the storage tank via its threaded mount.

It can be mounted on the truck-bed, boats, or placed next to the vehicle whose battery is to be used to power the pump.

Its housing feature seals which prevent fluid leakage hence ensuring that the pump operates efficiently and quickly achieves its maximum lift.

This power pump has a remarkable duty cycle and can be used to fill the fuel tanks in sailing boats.

The housing of this model is made from heavy-duty, airplane-grade steel, while its wetted parts are made using nitrile rubber. This pump can withstand high external pressure.

Bottom-line

The Gastapper Pro V60 is a high-quality and durable high-flow rate fuel transfer pump that is powered by 12-volt, DC current.

Its flow capacity is 30GPM/113.6LPM and is suited to transfer diesel, gasoline, blended alcohol, and biodiesel as well as aircraft fuel.

By far the fastest, more industrial transfer pump in our top 5, this is a model for those that require a high flow rate, for regular transfer purposes.

Fuel Transfer Pump Buyers Guide

What is a fuel transfer pump?

A fuel transfer pump is a mechanical device that draws fuel from a storage container (or tank) by suction and then delivering it at high-pressure to the fuel tank of a vehicle or any other fuel-powered engine-operated system.

Fuel transfer pumps are classified as external mechanical pumps because they are placed outside (that is, external) the liquid fuel tank, as opposed to submerged mechanical pumps which are placed inside, or sank (submersed) inside, the fuel tank.

Designed for Safety

This design concept is an operational safety feature that is necessitated by the fact that liquid fuels are volatile fluids that can be set aflame and explode or simply deflagrate (burn without exploding).

If a fuel pump suddenly raises the temperature or increases the pressure inside the fuel tank.

Also, it allows for the pump to be easily installed and removed from different fuel storage containers, hence enabling one to use it to refuel different vehicles, including forklifts, large commercial vehicles, and large utility vehicles; by delivering (by pumping) fuel from different storage containers into the tanks of these vehicles.

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Easy Transportation

Fuel transfer pumps can be used to transport different types of liquid fuel from their storage containers into fuel tanks.

These liquid fuels include diesel, petrol, kerosene, lubrication oil, and diesel exhaust fluid better known by its proprietary name, AdBlue.

These pumps can also be used as fuel dispensing pumps in small fuel stations, such as local family-run kerosene vendors, or vehicle fuel(petrol or diesel) stations.

Still, these (fuel dispensing) pumps must have ATEX certification as well as be approved based on the legal stipulations governing weight and measures equipment.

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How to operate a fuel transfer pump

The operation of the pump can be divided into 2 stages. The first stage uses mechanical action to create a vacuum inside the chamber of the pump, and this allows for suction, which causes fuel to flow from the storage tank into a chamber.

In the second stage, the pump delivers this fuel into the outlet pipe at high pressure. This phenomenon is described as displacement, and thus fuel transfer pumps are categorized as hydraulic displacement pumps.

This is because they convert the mechanical energy of the moving pistons or rotary impeller into hydraulic energy that displaces the fuel from its chamber under high pressure.

It is this pressurized output that determines the flow rate of the pump. Based on their method of displacement, these pumps can be divided into centrifugal (non-positive) and positive displacement types.

Positive displacement fuel transfer pumps

In positive displacement pumps, a fixed quantity of fuel is first trapped inside the chamber before being forced out (displaced) into the outlet pipe by the mechanical action of a piston, gear set, screw set, plunger, or rotary vane.

They are therefore regarded as fixed-volume (volumetric) output pumps as they pump out a specific amount of fuel in during each complete pumping cycle.

They can also be described as non-continuous flow pumps because no fuel flows out of their chambers when fuel is being sucked into the chambers.

Centrifugal fuel transfer pumps

Centrifugal pumps use non-positive displacement to produce continuous flow. In these pumps, a rotating impeller, usually engine-powered or powered by an electric motor, causes its swept blades – that is, curved and bent blades that are placed at right angles to the shaft of the impeller – to move in a radial circular motion inside the chamber.

As one blade moves over the inlet port of the chamber, it creates a vacuum behind it which allows fuel to flow into space between this blade and the blade following it; and the same happens to the blade following it (and all subsequent blades) as they move over the inlet port.

The fuel enters at low velocity from the edge of the blade and then swirls along the curves of the blade towards the impeller shaft.

Thereafter, when the blade passes over the outlet port, it allows the blade following it to push the fuel between these 2 blades out of the chamber.

The same happens to the subsequent sets of blades hence creating a continuous flow with the inlet port feeding fuel to the chamber while fuel is pushed out of the outlet port, with both events occurring simultaneously.

During the output phase, the motion of the blades causes the fuel to flow out at high velocity by whirling the fuel near the impeller shaft towards the blade edge at a high speed.

The rotating speed of the impeller determines the rate of the radial flow in these pumps. Generally, they are described as high-velocity, low-output pumps; as compared to the positive displacement pumps.

This is because, when the impeller is rotating at a high speed, the space between any 2 blades never fills with fuel, and this fuel quantity is then ejected from the pump at a high speed.

The different methods of operation

Before acquiring any fuel transfer pump, one needs to know how it is operated. Basically, there are 3 ways in which these pumps are operated; manually-operated (using a hand pump), engine-powered, and electrically-powered.

Engine-powered pumps

In engine-powered models, the pump is coupled to the engine, with the propeller shaft of the engine connecting to the shaft of the impeller shaft.

As expected, most engine-powered pumps are centrifugal pumps, and some come as a combined unit with the pump being mounted on a single-cylinder engine.

Some centrifugal pumps are coupled to either single-phase or 3-phase electrical motors. In electrically-powered pumps (also called power pumps), the coupling can be either a long-coupled or closed couple.

In long-coupled systems, the impeller shaft and motor shaft are separate from each other, and they are joined together by a flexible coupling that allows for torque and rotary motion to be transmitted while providing for accommodation for misalignment between these 2 shafts.

In closed couple systems, a rigid spacer acts as a coupling device as well as rigidly connects the impeller shaft to the motor shaft.

Electrically powered pumps

Power-pumps can be designed to be explosion-proof by completely encasing all the spark-producing parts along with the parts that can ignite so that they do not contact either the atmosphere or the liquid fuel being pumped.

Power pumps are broadly divided into direct-current (DC) and alternating-current (AC) pumps. DC pumps can either be 12-volt or 24-volt models; and can be run using the car battery hence allowing them to be transported and used on-site.

AC pumps can either be the 110-volt or 230/240-volt models; and can be used as fuel dispensing pumps.

Manual operation

Manually-operated pumps require the owner to use a hand pump (usually lift pumps, suction, or rotary-hand pumps) to draw fuel from the tank and then eject it into the vehicle tank.

These pumps can be tiresome, and their efficiency depends on how fast one can turn the hand pump.

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Other considerations – Flow rates

Another important factor to consider when purchasing a fuel transfer pump is its flow rate. Generally, the flow rate is broadly grouped into 3 levels; low, medium, and high flow-rates.

Low flow rates ranges from 50liters-per-minute [LPM] (13 gallons-per-minute, [GPM]) to 70LPM (18GPM), and is best suited for small vehicles.

Medium flow rates range from 71LPM (19GPM) to 90LPM (23.75GPM), and is suitable for medium-sized vehicles.

High flow rates are anything above 91LPM(24GPM), and is suitable for large heavy-duty vehicles.

One can use the vehicle tank capacity to estimate the right flow rate.

As a general rule, small tanks demand a low flow rate because a high flow rate moves the fuel too quickly into a limited tank space hence causing rapid frothing which causes the automatic nozzle of the pump to prematurely shut off.

The frothing also risks causing fuel in the tank to spill out by generating high pressure inside the tank that pushes the fuel out of this tank.

Some notes on installation

The fuel transfer pump needs to be installed or connected, to both the storage tank and the vehicle fuel tank. This is done using a suction pipe, a delivery hose, and a nozzle.

Basically, one starts by assembling the suction pipe by dry fitting the pipe assembly together and then threading the pipe snugly into the inlet fitting of the pump.

Afterward, the suction pipe-and-pump assembly is held next to the storage tank to ensure that the pipe is at least 1.5inches above the bottom of the tank.

If not, trim the pipe as appropriate. Likewise, suction pipe trimming can be done before threading the suction pipe assembly to the inlet of the pump.

Next, properly clean the interior of the tank and then insert the suction pipe-and-pump assembly into the tank (only the suction pipe goes in) and then tighten the pump securely onto the tank.

Proper ventilation

Then, check to ensure that the storage tank has been properly vented. Afterward, in power pumps, install the power cord to the pump by first removing its utility cover plate and plugging the cord to the electrical circuit of the pump before covering this assembly by the cover plate.

Connecting engine-powered pumps

In engine-powered pumps, couple the impeller shaft to the motor or engine propeller (power take-off, PTO) shaft.

After that, securely and tightly thread a 90-degree steel hub elbow to the outlet fitting of the pump. On the opposite end of the hub elbow, securely thread the rear-end of the delivery hose to ensure a nice fit.

Next, the front-end of the delivery hose is threaded securely and tightly into the nozzle holder of the nozzle assembly.

After that, the pump can be powered and tested to ensure the fuel is delivered properly from the nozzle without any leaks occurring in the entire pump-hose assembly.

Image Credits: Youtube/Northern Tool