Harbor Freight Liquid Transfer Pump (Stick) failures

[Hay Dude]

agreed, can you link me to a Made in USA version?

I’d doubt anything like that is made in USA anymore. Can you set cans on a high shelf, then fuel by gravity?

 

[JCoastie]

Get one of these....

OMT 12V DC 12GPM Electric Fuel Transfer Pump Kit with Nozzle & Hoses For Diesel | eBay

1 x Nozzle with Trigger. suction and 32'10" max. lift, making on site oil transfer a breeze. Heavy-Duty Hoses. Input Power: 12V DC. The dust covers on the inlet and outlet of the pump body prevent dust, debris, and other contaminants to ensure clean oil transfer.

www.ebay.com

Empties a 5 gal can in about a minute! I have mine a few years already, no problems at all. I made a cart to hold the pump, battery, and 5 gal can.

View attachment 882871View attachment 882872

Nice set up, unfortunately not rated for gasoline

 

[5030]

Got a link to a good version of this type pump?

Nope...lol I buy a couple at a time myself when on sale in the ITC section. One thing I do is I use rechargeable Li-Ion batteries in mine, have a couple pair at all times. The bottom contact gets wonky and you need to reach in there with a long pair of hemostats or long handled needle nose pliers and pull it up a tad.

Northern has the same pump for 2 times the price. I'll stick with the cheapo HF ones, thank you. I have a couple of those new and funky no spill gas cans that spill constantly so I use the pumps instead. What a terrible design they are. PITA to fill and even more of a PITA to empty.

 

[FERLING]

I have the worst experience with these things. I've probably had 6 or 8 in the last 4 years. I never even have to change the batteries in them before they fail.
Is there a more reliable option?
I store 20 gallons of diesel and 20 gallons of gasoline all in 5 gallon cans, and I fill my equipment 5 gallons at a time (1 can), so I don't need anything large or elaborate, just something reliable.

I filled the mower this morning with gasoline which worked fine, set the pump aside to drain while I got the 5 gal can of diesel for the tractor, about 5 minutes, and the pump completely died in those 5 minutes. I checked the batteries, they were fine (1.46v) and I changed them just to be sure, nadda, dead! I use Energizer batteries.

Any options?

Junk
View attachment 882799

I have the worst experience with these things. I've probably had 6 or 8 in the last 4 years. I never even have to change the batteries in them before they fail.
Is there a more reliable option?
I store 20 gallons of diesel and 20 gallons of gasoline all in 5 gallon cans, and I fill my equipment 5 gallons at a time (1 can), so I don't need anything large or elaborate, just something reliable.

I filled the mower this morning with gasoline which worked fine, set the pump aside to drain while I got the 5 gal can of diesel for the tractor, about 5 minutes, and the pump completely died in those 5 minutes. I checked the batteries, they were fine (1.46v) and I changed them just to be sure, nadda, dead! I use Energizer batteries.

Any options?

Junk
View attachment 882799

Useless cheap product that is temporary. Accept it and avoid wasting your money.

 

[88bradb]

I have the worst experience with these things. I've probably had 6 or 8 in the last 4 years. I never even have to change the batteries in them before they fail.
Is there a more reliable option?
I store 20 gallons of diesel and 20 gallons of gasoline all in 5 gallon cans, and I fill my equipment 5 gallons at a time (1 can), so I don't need anything large or elaborate, just something reliable.

I filled the mower this morning with gasoline which worked fine, set the pump aside to drain while I got the 5 gal can of diesel for the tractor, about 5 minutes, and the pump completely died in those 5 minutes. I checked the batteries, they were fine (1.46v) and I changed them just to be sure, nadda, dead! I use Energizer batteries.

Any options?

Junk
View attachment 882799

Your not the only one. I have went through 4 in the 5 years that I have had my tractor. Gotta be a better,economical way.

 

[shooterdon]

Same story but I got mine on Amazon. Three pumps and none lasted more than a year of light use.

I have a decent pump for diesel fuel transfer similar to what is posted in post #10 that has lasted four years but it will not do gasoline. It is too cumbersome for 5 gal jugs but I have it mounted on the frame that holds a 50 gal reefer fuel tank that was salvaged.

 

[granpa]

I store in 5 gallon cans myself and have for years. I don't understand the need for a pump. I just pickup the can and fill the tank. Even the chinese cans work, but my leak a little around the seal.

 

[2manyrocks]

^if you have 5 gallon cans that actually flow well, it's less of a problem than the newer EPA mandated cans that take forever to pour gas because of not being vented and having spouts that don't allow the fuel to flow freely. It also makes a big difference where your fuel fill is located. Lifting a can to fill on top of a tall tractor hood is a pain.

 

[NibbanaFarm]

I have the worst experience with these things. I've probably had 6 or 8 in the last 4 years. I never even have to change the batteries in them before they fail.
Is there a more reliable option?
I store 20 gallons of diesel and 20 gallons of gasoline all in 5 gallon cans, and I fill my equipment 5 gallons at a time (1 can), so I don't need anything large or elaborate, just something reliable.

I filled the mower this morning with gasoline which worked fine, set the pump aside to drain while I got the 5 gal can of diesel for the tractor, about 5 minutes, and the pump completely died in those 5 minutes. I checked the batteries, they were fine (1.46v) and I changed them just to be sure, nadda, dead! I use Energizer batteries.

Any options?

Junk

Fill-Rite

Hand Pumps - Products | Fill-Rite

Fill-Rite Hand-Operated Fuel Transfer Pumps Are Perfect for Low-Volume Transfer of Gasoline, Diesel, Oils, and More. Buy Online or In-Store Today.

www.fillrite.com

 

[USN2TN]

Amazon.com