There are plenty of places a pump is needed but mains power is nowhere to be found: a flooded field, a construction site before the power goes in, a riverbank, an emergency at three in the morning. Engine pumps exist for exactly those situations. With their own engine on board, they go wherever they are dropped and shift large volumes of water fast.
We supply engine pumps from Koshin, powered by Honda engines, and can source pump engines from other makers for a specific job. The Koshin range is below, or call +44 1332 913500 for help choosing.
An engine pump pairs a pump end, usually centrifugal or self-priming, with a petrol or diesel engine on a shared base. The engine drives the pump directly, so the whole unit runs independently of mains electricity or a generator. People also call them pump engines or pumping engines, and they deliver some of the highest flow rates of any portable pumping kit, which is why they are the default when a lot of water has to move quickly.
That mix of portability, high flow and total independence from a power supply is what puts engine pumps on construction sites, farms, flood scenes and anywhere large volumes need shifting with no power to hand.
The engine pumps we stock are Koshin units driven by Honda petrol engines, a pairing well known for easy starting, reliability and long service life. Petrol drive keeps the pumps light, compact and quick to get running, which suits site drainage, irrigation, flood work and general transfer where the pump is moved around and started often. The range spans general-purpose, high-pressure and trash-handling models, so there is a Koshin pump for clean water, for pressure-hungry duties and for dirty, debris-laden water alike.
General-purpose engine pumps move clean and lightly dirty water at good flow for drainage, transfer and irrigation. The mainstay for everyday site and farm work.
High-pressure engine pumps trade some flow for extra head, for irrigation over distance, sprinkler systems and firefighting-style duties where pressure matters more than sheer volume.
Trash pumps use open or semi-open impellers with large passages to pass mud, sand, gravel, leaves and stones, for construction, agriculture and anywhere the water is heavily fouled.
Self-priming engine pumps carry a priming chamber so they can clear air from the suction line and start pumping without manual priming, essential where the pump sits above the water, drawing from rivers, ponds, tanks or flooded excavations.
The pump end is typically a centrifugal design, end-suction or self-priming, driven straight off the engine crankshaft. When the engine runs, the impeller turns, drawing liquid in and pushing it out at pressure. Self-priming models retain liquid in a chamber and recirculate it on start-up to expel air from the suction line, then pump normally, which is why they suit the surface-mounted way engine pumps are nearly always used. The engine gives variable speed on the throttle, so the operator can trim flow on site.
Four inputs get you to the right engine pump: the flow rate needed, the total head (vertical lift plus friction losses), the liquid (clean water, muddy water or solids-laden), and the duty cycle, occasional or continuous. For dewatering, suction lift and maximum solid size matter too. The trick is matching the pump end to the duty and the engine to the work it has to do. Tell us the site conditions on +44 1332 913500 and we will recommend the right Koshin engine pump.
If your questions have not been answered here, get in touch with our team for more information.
A self-contained pumping unit powered by a petrol or diesel engine rather than an electric motor. Because it carries its own power, a pumping engine works anywhere, including remote sites with no electrical supply. Engine pumps are widely used for construction dewatering, irrigation, flood removal and general site transfer.
We stock Koshin engine pumps powered by Honda petrol engines, a combination known for easy starting and reliability. The range covers general-purpose, high-pressure and trash-handling models, and we can source other pump engines where a specific requirement calls for it.
An engine pump with a solids-handling pump end, made to pass mud, sand, gravel, leaves, stones and debris without blocking, using open or semi-open impellers with large passages. Trash pumps are used on construction sites and for agricultural drainage where the water is heavily contaminated.
Most are fitted with self-priming pump ends, so they clear air from the suction line and start pumping without manual help. The pump holds liquid in a priming chamber and recirculates it on start-up to expel the air. This matters because engine pumps are nearly always mounted above the water source.
Engine pumps deliver some of the highest flows of any portable pump. Smaller units start at modest flows for light drainage and transfer, while larger Koshin models move substantially more for serious dewatering and irrigation. The right choice depends on balancing flow against the head your job needs.
As with any small engine, keep up the routine maintenance: check the oil, keep the air filter clean, use fresh fuel and run the pump periodically if it is stored for long spells. Honda engines are well supported for parts and servicing, which is part of why the Koshin pairing is so dependable. Flushing the pump through with clean water after pumping dirty or salty liquid extends its life.
