12 B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR
Components
September/October 2017
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Cheap imitations of Blackmer TX Series transport pumps may have a lower upfront cost, but lab tests show ‘knockoff’ pumps
result in increased maintenance, replacement and downtime costs, argues Thomas L Stone
T
here is no shame in thinking that the product you produce
is the best for your particular market. No one who decides
to create anything – from cell phones to microwaves,
skateboards to luxury automobiles – does so with the idea
that they would be happy if the final product turned out to
be just “OK.”
When a manufacturer does hit a bullseye in terms of design,
performance, reliability and demand, it is only natural that others
would want to try and copy that design and capitalise on the
product’s popularity and reputation in the market. That’s where it
becomes tricky for the end user. While the developer of the so-called
‘knockoff’ version can say that the product is as good as the original,
it’s best to keep in mind the old saying that, “If something appears
too good to be true, it probably is.”
That bromide is definitely relevant in the world of industrial pumps.
Over the years, creative, forward-thinking pump manufacturers have
produced a wide range of pump technologies, styles and models
that have come to be recognised as leaders in their field. In the
realm of fluid transfer, the sliding vane pump has proven for more
than a century that it is a go-to technology for the handling of oils,
fuels and other valuable liquids.
Within that niche, sliding vane pump technology has emerged as
one of the preferred choices for transport companies that operate
fleets of trucks used for the delivery of chemicals, petroleum
products and other industrial liquids. Sliding vane pumps are a wise
choice in these applications because their design and method of
operation allow them to meet the demands that are put on truck-
mounted transport pumps, including quiet, trouble-free operation;
dry-run and self-priming capabilities; efficiency in handling a wide
array of fluids; and easy maintenance.
Making the case
Naturally, because of the success of sliding vane pumps in the
transport market – and the standard-setting operation of the
technology’s leading manufacturers – in recent years a number of
offshore imitators has surfaced, many of which are based in China,
India and other developing countries. The sales pitch of these
imitators revolves around a promise that their pumps are just as
good as the original, but with a lower purchase price.
After assessing the effects that the arrival of the knockoff pumps
could have on its standing in the transport market, Blackmer, based
in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, commissioned side-by-side tests
that pitted its TX Series sliding vane pumps against several offshore
knockoff brands. The eye-opening results showed that the operation
of the knockoff pumps, as well as their critical components, do not
measure up in terms of quality and durability to the standard that
the TX Series sliding vane pump has set.
Specifically, the Blackmer pumps proved to perform better than the
competition in the following areas:
• Flexural strength: Side-by-side comparisons revealed that
the vanes in a TX pump outperformed competitive models by
more than a two-to-one ratio when measuring flexural
strength. The TX vanes can withstand pressures up to 25,813
psi (1,780 bar), while Competitor A’s flexural strength topped
out at 11,174 psi (770 bar) and Competitor B’s was only
slightly better at 11,988 psi (827 bar).
• Operational capabilities: The comparison test set the
operational service pressure at 150 percent of the pump’s
rating, or 225 psi (15.5 bar) at 640 rpm. Under these
operating conditions, the competitor’s pump broke down
after only 50 hours of use, while the TX pump exceeded 250
hours of operating time under the same conditions.
• Relief valve operation: The relief valve on two knockoff
models did not open properly, which allowed the internal
pressure of the pump to reach more than 200 psi (13.8 bar).
When internal pump pressures are allowed to get this high,
the system can be destroyed with catastrophic (and
dangerous) failures of hoses, meters and nozzles.
• Part interchangeability: The manufacturers of knockoff
pumps are able to offer a lower price because they may use
components that are not as robust as those on the standard
model. For instance, the lock nuts on the tested knockoff
pumps are smaller and have a looser tolerance than those on
the TX pumps. This is important because a tight fit prevents
slippage and keeps all components in perfect alignment. This
helps ensure reliable operation every time the pump is run.
•
Noise suppression: Tested at a differential pressure of 122
psi (8.4 bar), the TX pumps produced airborne noise at a rate
of 77 decibels, while the knockoff models had airborne noise
approaching 90 decibels, or the equivalent of a newspaper
press.
Closing the case
These documented and verified results should effectively make the
case that knockoff versions of industry-standard pumps that are
making their way into the market are incapable of replicating the
performance, durability and reliability of what has be