Cat Pumps high pressure triplex pumps can be purchased bare-shaft, with system accessories or assembled complete with drive motor and matched transmission. We can advise you on system design and correct selection of accessories such as a Pressure Regulator, Pressure Unloader Valve, Secondary Safety Relief Valve, Pulsation Dampener, Gauges, Inlet Filter, Inlet and Discharge Hoses and a Captive Acceleration Tube to minimise cavitation.

A Pressure Regulator Valve is an essential system accessory. As the name suggests, it by-passes excess flow in order to regulate and control pressure. It limits the operating pressure in a pipe system to the safe working pressure of its components and maintains correct pressure at a spray nozzle. The valve also protects the pump and drive motor from overload. Ideally a system will be designed to operate with 5 -10% extra flow always by-passing through the Pressure Regulating Valve. This gives a margin of flow to compensate for nozzle wear without losing pressure and helps to protect the Cat pump from pressure spikes by dissipating pressure across the valve seat. In variable-demand systems, such as multiple lance installations the Pressure Regulator Valve maintains full pressure while nozzles and/or guns are used intermittently.

A Pressure Unloader Valve is often used in single or multiple trigger-gun wash-down installations. This normally operates as a Pressure Regulator Valve, but will also unload (reduce) the pump pressure when flow is not required even though the pump is still running, hence reducing energy consumption, pump wear and noise. Note: this type of valve only works with trigger gun or quick-acting valves in the discharge line as it relies on a pressure spike to trip the valve into its pressure-unloading mode.

A Safety Valve, often referred to as a Relief Valve, only opens if a fault develops. The Safety Valve is fitted as a secondary protection device and is highly recommended in all high-pressure systems to conform to the requirements of the CE Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). The Safety Valve is typically set 15% above normal working pressure to provide additional protection should the primary Pressure Regulator valve fail to operate. With regular maintenance this is unlikely, but debris in the liquid, corrosion, excessive temperature and unusual pressure spikes can result in unexpected failures and the secondary valve can prevent accidents, injury and high repair costs.

We recommend fitting a Pulsation Dampener to the discharge line of any high-pressure system to further reduce the pulsations from the reciprocating action of the pump. This will minimise noise, pipework vibration and wear of the pump and system components. Additionally it will also absorb most pressure spikes generated by sudden stops, starts or rapid closing of valves.

The Cat Pumps Captive Acceleration Tube is a specially engineered accessory designed to stabilise inlet pressure in reciprocating pump systems with long feed lines or booster feed pumps. Fitted between the supply pipe and the inlet connection of a Cat triplex P.D. pump, the elasticity of the Tube stores pressure energy from the liquid and releases it 3 times each pump revolution to ensure the pump cylinders are completely filled during every inlet stroke. Fitting a Captive Acceleration Tube (C.A.T.) virtually eliminates cavitation and significantly reduces reflected pressure spikes. Note: a C.A.T. will not function with a negative head (suction lift) and cannot compensate for starvation due to a restricted supply or inadequate inlet flow rate.

Cat Pumps offer complete pump packages built to order. Through our Power Unit service we can save you time by specifying and sourcing the best motor and transmission to drive your Triplex PD pump. Drawing from our experience in building many different systems, our engineers take responsibility for the design and procurement of motors, bases and drive components then provide a complete Power Unit, fully assembled, aligned and tested. You pay only one invoice when the job is finished.

Each Power Unit is custom designed to your exact requirements and built on a heavy gauge steel base with durable paint finish, or optional stainless-steel frame. Power transmission can be by direct coupling, by optional belt or gearbox of the correct reduction ratio to deliver your desired pump flow rate. Options include pressure regulating valves, system protection accessories and anti-vibration mounts. Multiple pump systems accommodate higher flow rates and varying demand. Call us with your precise specifications for a custom quotation.

Our most popular heavy-duty pressure cleaning pumps can be driven from petrol or diesel engines through a specially designed reduction gearbox. Alternatively many can be mounted directly onto a European standard face-mount (IEC B14) electric motor with a Cat Pumps custom coupling and bell-housing.

Cat pumps require very little regular servicing, requiring just a periodic oil-change. We can supply a suitable crankcase lubricating oil that has been tested and approved for use in all our products. When other parts of your pump eventually require replacement these are usually available from our stock. To maximise the reliability of your high-quality PD pump, extend service intervals and maintain the validity of your warranty, use only genuine Cat Pumps parts and lubricants. Alternatively we offer a full return-to-base repair and refurbishment service using our fully-trained in-house technicians.