Water Transfer Pumps — Self-Priming Centrifugal Pumps for Marine, Industrial & Construction
What Are Transfer Pumps?
Pacer water transfer pumps are self-priming centrifugal pumps engineered to move fluids from one location to another under pressure. Used across marine, industrial, construction, and water hauling applications, they handle water, chemicals, mild acids, and wastewater. The right transfer pump resists corrosion, maintains reliable flow, and continues performing through demanding operating conditions without interruption.
Since 1974, Pacer Pumps has manufactured transfer pumps trusted across marine, industrial, construction, and water hauling operations worldwide. Every pump is molded and assembled in Lancaster, PA. Thermoplastic construction resists the corrosion and chemical exposure that destroys metal alternatives. Furthermore, our centrifugal pumps have served hurricane relief operations, wildfire response teams, military vessels, and commercial construction dewatering projects globally. Pacer builds the pump for it — whether your operation demands fluid transfer on a vessel, a job site, or a processing facility. Ultimately, USA manufacturing, direct customer support, and over fifty years of proven performance define every pump we ship.
What Sets These Transfer Pumps Apart From Everything Else
- Thermoplastic construction resists saltwater, chemicals, mild acids, and corrosives that destroy metal pump housings on vessels and job sites
- Seals remain internally submerged for cooling after initial prime, preventing heat failure during dewatering, marine, and industrial runs
- Forgiving dry run capability protects internals when fluid supply drops, common in construction dewatering and remote field operations
- IPW Series holds NSF certification for potable water transfer — drinking water, water hauling, and food-grade fluid handling applications
- We stress test every unit at triple rated pressure and validate hydrostatic and flow performance before shipment from Lancaster, PA
- Available in gasoline engine, electric motor, hydraulic motor, and hand-operated configurations to match any site, vessel, or facility
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What Do Transfer Pumps Do?
Basically, transfer pumps move fluids from a source to a destination under pressure. On a construction site, for example, they pull water from a flooded excavation and discharge it away from the work area. On a vessel, they pump bilge water, circulate live wells, and wash down decks after a day on the water. In an industrial setting, they move chemicals, wastewater, and process fluids between tanks, trucks, and treatment systems.
What separates Pacer transfer pumps from generic alternatives is a combination of key factors. Notably, thermoplastic construction, internal seal cooling, and individual quality testing define every unit we ship. While metal pump housings corrode when exposed to saltwater, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals, thermoplastic housings remain unaffected. Consequently, that material advantage extends service life and reduces total cost of ownership across demanding, high-use applications.
Operators managing diverse equipment fleets can browse the full Pacer pump catalog. The catalog lists series, drive types, and port configurations matching every application. Farmers looking specifically for field-rated equipment will also find purpose-built agricultural pumps within the same product family.
What Makes a Transfer Pump Different From a Standard Pump?
Transfer pumps are engineered for continuous fluid movement between locations under pressure. Standard pumps, by contrast, may be designed for recirculation, pressure boosting, or single-purpose tasks. Transfer pumps prioritize flow rate, chemical resistance, and reliability across variable fluid types. Pacer’s centrifugal design achieves this through thermoplastic construction and internal seal cooling.
That engineering difference matters when the application involves continuous operation, changing fluid types, or environments where corrosive exposure is constant. A pump designed for clean water recirculation will not hold up when transferred to saltwater dewatering or fertilizer handling. However, a Pacer transfer pump handles both without modification or additional protective measures.
Why Transfer Pumps Are Non-Negotiable in Industrial and Marine Work
Fluid transfer is a critical function in nearly every industry that moves equipment or operates near water. When transfer pumps fail, the consequences range from project delays to safety incidents. In marine operations, a failed pump on a working vessel can mean an aborted trip, lost catch, or compromised safety. On a construction site, flooding halts work and damages materials. Similarly, in industrial operations, a stopped pump can mean a backed-up process line.
Pacer transfer pumps are built to eliminate that failure risk through material selection, design, and testing. The thermoplastic housing does not corrode when it sits idle between seasons or jobs. Moreover, the internal seal cooling system manages heat without requiring operator intervention. Stress testing at triple rated pressure catches any structural weakness before the pump reaches a job site or vessel.
According to Grand View Research, the global industrial pumps market reached $43.90 billion in 2023. Centrifugal pumps hold over 67% of that share. That market size reflects how central reliable fluid transfer is to every industry touching physical infrastructure, water, or material handling. Equipment selection matters as much as any other capital investment.
Can These Pumps Handle Chemicals and Harsh Industrial Fluids?
Yes. Pacer transfer pumps use thermoplastic construction that resists mild acids, bases, fertilizers, pesticides, and other industrial chemicals. These chemicals corrode metal pump housings quickly. Always verify chemical compatibility with our team before selecting a pump for harsh fluid applications. Matching materials correctly extends pump service life and prevents premature failure.
Chemical compatibility verification is a standard part of our pre-purchase process. Furthermore, our team has handled these questions for over fifty years. We can identify the correct series for virtually any common industrial or agricultural fluid within a short conversation. That knowledge base comes from direct manufacturing experience — not a specification sheet from an overseas supplier.
How Transfer Pumps Work
Pacer transfer pumps operate on centrifugal principles. An impeller spinning inside the housing creates a low-pressure zone at the inlet, drawing fluid in from the source. The impeller then accelerates the fluid outward through the volute toward the discharge outlet, building pressure and producing flow. Because the process is continuous, these pumps move large volumes efficiently without the cyclic pressure variations of positive displacement designs.
The thermoplastic housing contains and directs that flow while withstanding chemical exposure and pressure demands. Seals positioned inside the fluid path remain cooled and lubricated by the fluid passing through. That is why Pacer pumps tolerate brief dry run periods better than designs with externally cooled seals. Combined, these elements produce a pump that performs reliably across a wide range of flow rates and fluids.
Hydraulic motor driven pumps integrate directly with equipment hydraulic systems for continuous-duty operations. In contrast, electric motor driven models suit fixed installations where consistent power is available.
How Do You Prime a Centrifugal Transfer Pump?
Centrifugal pumps require fluid in the housing before starting to create suction. Fill the housing through the priming port until fluid exits the outlet, then start the drive source. Pacer pumps retain prime well between uses. If prime is lost, re-priming takes less than a minute in most field applications with a proper inlet setup.
Priming requirements are consistent across the Pacer product line and appear in each pump’s installation guide. Additionally, our technical team walks customers through initial setup at no charge. That guidance ensures the pump runs correctly from day one and avoids early service issues from improper priming. Direct support is part of what makes working with a domestic manufacturer different from sourcing through a distributor chain.
Applications Across Marine, Construction, and Industrial Settings
Pacer transfer pumps have proven themselves across a wider range of real-world applications than nearly any other pump manufacturer. That breadth reflects thermoplastic chemical resistance, multiple drive options, and a design that tolerates unpredictable field conditions.
Marine Operations. Saltwater-resistant construction makes Pacer pumps the right choice for marine pump out operations, boat salvage, and deck washdown. They also handle live well circulation, net rinsing, and bait tank management on commercial and recreational vessels. Indeed, Pacer pumps currently serve vessels in the Australian, French, and Indian navies, alongside commercial fishing and aquaculture operations worldwide.
Construction and Industrial Dewatering. Flooded excavations, mine dewatering, and job site water management demand pumps that handle dirty water and sediment. Pacer transfer pumps cover mild acids, bases, wastewater, and brine spreader applications. Meanwhile, metal pump units fail from corrosion in the same environments.
Aquaculture and Water Hauling. Fish, lobster, and shrimp farming operations rely on Pacer pumps for saltwater circulation, waste removal, and tank temperature management. Water haulers and emergency response teams use them to fill potable water holding tanks. The same pumps distribute clean water across operations ranging from domestic well systems to international disaster relief.
Which Industries Rely Most on Transfer Pumps?
Marine, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, and water hauling operations depend on transfer pumps daily for critical fluid movement. Industrial processing, chemical handling, municipal dewatering, and emergency response teams also rely on centrifugal pumps. Pacer serves all of these markets with pumps that have proven themselves in hurricane relief, military operations, and commercial work.
That cross-industry track record is built on product consistency and domestic manufacturing accountability. Find a Pacer distributor near you to see which pump configurations are stocked in your region. A knowledgeable local source can discuss application fit before you place your order.
Choosing the Right Partner
Choosing a transfer pump is also a choice about the manufacturer behind it. Pump failure in the field costs more than the pump itself — it costs the project, the season, or the operation. Accordingly, Pacer’s commitment to domestic manufacturing and direct customer support shapes every interaction. When you need assistance, you reach someone with decades of hands-on experience, not a customer service queue.
Pacer has operated from the same Lancaster, PA facility for over five decades. Our four senior team members carry 94 combined years of direct Pacer experience. They know the product, the applications, and the solutions. We are vertically integrated with Polymar Injection Molding, located eight miles away. Polymar molds all plastic components under the same quality standards as our assembly floor. That integration eliminates supply chain variability that compromises consistency for overseas manufacturers.
Pacer’s track record includes serving Hurricane Katrina and Sandy relief operations. We also supply pumps to naval vessels on multiple continents and support wildfire response teams in the field. The 2018 Mantec and Central PA Business Journal award recognized our excellence in growth and innovation. That award reflects operational standards we hold, not just a marketing claim. Every pump ships with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, full insurance and bonding, and phone access to our team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Transfer Pumps
Are Pacer transfer pumps made in the USA?
Yes. Every Pacer transfer pump is molded and assembled in Lancaster, PA. Plastic components come from Polymar Injection Molding, located eight miles from our facility. We carry full insurance and bonding. Every pump also receives individual hydrostatic testing and flow validation before leaving our manufacturing floor.
What is the NSF-certified IPW Series used for?
The IPW Series carries NSF certification for potable water transfer. It suits drinking water supply, water hauling, and food-grade fluid applications where contamination risk must be eliminated. The series also serves residential, agricultural, and commercial operations that require verified safe water handling, including well systems and potable distribution networks.
Can Pacer transfer pumps be used in saltwater marine applications?
Yes. Pacer transfer pumps use thermoplastic construction that resists saltwater corrosion. The material suits pump out operations, boat salvage, deck washdown, net rinsing, and live well circulation. Our pumps currently serve vessels in the Australian, French, and Indian navies, as well as commercial marine operations worldwide.
What drive options are available for industrial and construction applications?
Pacer transfer pumps are available in gasoline engine, electric motor, hydraulic motor, and hand-operated drive configurations. Electric motor driven pumps suit fixed industrial installations, while gasoline engine models provide portability for construction sites and remote operations. Hydraulic motor driven pumps integrate with equipment systems for centralized power management.
Does Pacer offer repair kits and post-purchase technical support?
Yes. Pacer customizes pump repair kits for specific applications and ships kits worldwide. Our team answers technical questions directly, without a phone tree. Repair kit costs are minimal relative to full unit replacement. Our senior team’s 90+ combined years of experience means we resolve issues quickly and accurately.
The Pumps That Industry Professionals Trust
When the job depends on moving fluid reliably, transfer pumps are not an afterthought. They are critical infrastructure. Pacer has been building them since 1974, from a single facility in Lancaster, PA. Founder Alfred Marlow introduced the first plastic centrifugal pump. The same thermoplastic construction and hands-on quality standards still define every unit we ship.
Call Pacer and a real person answers. Place an order and your pump ships fast. When something needs attention, our team has the experience and the parts to handle it without delay. Choose a pump backed by fifty years of manufacturing accountability and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Choose Pacer.