Kinney Tuthill Piston Pumps – Legendary Robustness for Decades of Operation
Kinney Tuthill piston vacuum pumps are legendary for their extreme robustness and longevity. These industrial workhorses are designed for the most demanding applications and can operate reliably for 30-50 years with proper maintenance. No other vacuum pump technology offers comparable durability and reliability.
💪 Why Kinney Piston Pumps are Special:
| ⚙️ Low Speed |
Only 300-600 rpm (compared to 1,500-3,000 rpm for rotary vane pumps) = minimal wear |
| 🏗️ Cast Iron Construction |
Virtually indestructible housing and components |
| 💪 High Capacity |
Large displacement per stroke = high pumping speed |
| 🔧 Simple Design |
Few moving parts, easy to maintain |
| ⏱️ Service Life |
30-50 years operational life with proper maintenance |
| 🛡️ Tolerance |
Can handle contaminated gases, dust, and particles |
| 24/7 Continuous |
Designed for uninterrupted continuous operation |
📊 Kinney Tuthill Piston Pump Series:
🔩 Single-Stage Piston Pumps
For applications where medium vacuum is sufficient and high pumping speeds are required.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Pumping Speed: |
50 - 3,000 m³/h |
| Ultimate Vacuum: |
25 - 50 mbar (abs) |
| Operating Speed: |
300 - 600 rpm |
| Power: |
2 - 75 kW |
✅ Advantages of Single-Stage Design:
- ✓ Very high pumping speeds
- ✓ Simpler construction
- ✓ Lower initial cost
- ✓ Easier maintenance
- ✓ Ideal for rough vacuum applications
🔩🔩 Two-Stage Piston Pumps
For applications requiring deeper vacuum and higher efficiency at low pressures.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Pumping Speed: |
50 - 2,000 m³/h |
| Ultimate Vacuum: |
0.05 - 1 mbar (abs) |
| Operating Speed: |
300 - 500 rpm |
| Power: |
3 - 60 kW |
✅ Advantages of Two-Stage Design:
- ✓ Much deeper ultimate vacuum (down to 0.05 mbar)
- ✓ Higher efficiency at low pressures
- ✓ Better compression ratio
- ✓ Energy-optimized operation
- ✓ Ideal as backing pumps for diffusion or turbo pumps
🏭 Available Kinney Piston Pump Models:
📦 KC Series – Compact Piston Pumps
Models: KC-8, KC-15, KC-46, KC-75, KC-150
| Model | Pumping Speed | Ultimate Vacuum | Power |
|---|
| KC-8 |
8 m³/h (140 l/min) |
25 mbar |
1.1 kW |
| KC-15 |
15 m³/h (250 l/min) |
25 mbar |
1.5 kW |
| KC-46 |
46 m³/h (770 l/min) |
30 mbar |
3 kW |
| KC-75 |
75 m³/h (1,250 l/min) |
30 mbar |
5.5 kW |
| KC-150 |
150 m³/h (2,500 l/min) |
30 mbar |
11 kW |
✅ KC Series Features:
- ✓ Compact design for smaller applications
- ✓ Single-stage construction
- ✓ Cost-effective solution
- ✓ Easy installation
- ✓ Reliable performance
🔄 KT Series – Two-Stage High Vacuum Piston Pumps
Models: KT-150, KT-200, KT-300, KT-400
| Model | Pumping Speed | Ultimate Vacuum | Power |
|---|
| KT-150 |
150 m³/h (2,500 l/min) |
0.05 mbar |
15 kW |
| KT-200 |
200 m³/h (3,300 l/min) |
0.05 mbar |
18.5 kW |
| KT-300 |
300 m³/h (5,000 l/min) |
0.1 mbar |
22 kW |
| KT-400 |
400 m³/h (6,700 l/min) |
0.1 mbar |
30 kW |
✅ KT Series Features:
- ✓ Two-stage design for deep vacuum
- ✓ Ideal as backing pumps
- ✓ High efficiency at low pressures
- ✓ Robust construction
- ✓ Continuous duty rated
💪 KLRC Series – Large Capacity Piston Pumps
Models: KLRC-50, KLRC-100, KLRC-200, KLRC-300, KLRC-400
| Model | Pumping Speed | Ultimate Vacuum | Power |
|---|
| KLRC-50 |
500 m³/h |
30 mbar |
22 kW |
| KLRC-100 |
1,000 m³/h |
30 mbar |
37 kW |
| KLRC-200 |
2,000 m³/h |
30 mbar |
55 kW |
| KLRC-300 |
3,000 m³/h |
30 mbar |
75 kW |
✅ KLRC Series Features:
- ✓ Very high pumping speeds
- ✓ For large-scale industrial processes
- ✓ Single-stage design
- ✓ Heavy-duty construction
- ✓ Maximum reliability
🏗️ KDH Series – Heavy-Duty Industrial Piston Pumps
Models: KDH-50, KDH-100, KDH-150, KDH-200, KDH-300
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Pumping Speed: |
500 - 3,000 m³/h |
| Ultimate Vacuum: |
30 - 50 mbar |
| Application: |
Most demanding industrial processes |
✅ KDH Series Features:
- ✓ Designed for extreme conditions
- ✓ Maximum robustness
- ✓ Suitable for contaminated gases
- ✓ Decades of operational life
- ✓ Low maintenance requirements
Available Kinney Tuthill piston pump models: KC-8, KC-15, KC-46, KC-75, KC-150, KT-150, KT-200, KT-300, KT-400, KLRC-50, KLRC-100, KLRC-200, KLRC-300, KLRC-400, KDH-50, KDH-100, KDH-150, KDH-200, KDH-300, single-stage piston pumps, two-stage piston pumps, oil-sealed piston pumps, industrial vacuum pumps, backing pumps, roughing pumps, high vacuum pumps, heavy-duty pumps, low-speed pumps, cast iron pumps, continuous duty pumps
⚙️ Technical Design Features:
🔩 Construction Components:
| Component | Material/Design | Benefits |
|---|
| Housing |
Cast iron (spheroidal graphite iron) |
Extremely durable, corrosion-resistant, virtually indestructible |
| Pistons |
Cast iron or steel |
Wear-resistant, long service life |
| Cylinder Liners |
Hardened cast iron |
Replaceable, minimal wear |
| Valves |
Spring-loaded plate valves |
Simple design, easy replacement |
| Crankshaft |
Forged steel |
High strength, balanced |
| Bearings |
Heavy-duty roller bearings |
Long service life, low friction |
| Lubrication |
Forced splash lubrication |
Optimal oil distribution to all moving parts |
💨 Gas Ballast System:
- ✓ Prevents condensate accumulation in pump
- ✓ Allows small amounts of vapor to be handled
- ✓ Adjustable for different applications
- ✓ Extends oil service life
🌡️ Cooling System:
- ✓ Air-cooled: For standard applications
- ✓ Water-cooled: For continuous heavy-duty operation
- ✓ Integrated oil coolers available
- ✓ Prevents overheating during continuous operation
🏭 Primary Applications:
| Application Area | Typical Use |
|---|
| 🔬 High Vacuum Systems |
Backing pumps for diffusion pumps, backing pumps for turbomolecular pumps, backing pumps for cryopumps |
| 🔥 Vacuum Furnaces |
Heat treatment furnaces, sintering furnaces, brazing furnaces, vacuum hardening |
| 🎨 Coating Systems |
PVD coating, CVD coating, thin film deposition, sputtering systems |
| ⚗️ Chemical Processes |
Large-scale vacuum distillation, evaporation systems, drying processes, degassing |
| 💊 Pharmaceutical |
Industrial freeze dryers, lyophilization plants, vacuum drying, tablet coating |
| 🔌 Impregnation |
Transformer impregnation, motor winding impregnation, capacitor impregnation |
| 🌊 Steel Degassing |
VOD (Vacuum Oxygen Decarburization), RH degassing, ladle degassing |
| 🔬 Space Simulation |
Thermal vacuum chambers, altitude simulation, satellite testing |
| 🏗️ Plastics Processing |
Large thermoforming machines, extrusion degassing, vacuum forming |
🔧 Maintenance & Service Life:
📅 Maintenance Schedule:
| Maintenance Task | Interval | Description |
|---|
| Daily Check |
Daily |
Oil level check, visual inspection, listen for unusual noises |
| Oil Change |
2,000 - 4,000 hours |
Drain old oil, flush system, refill with specified oil |
| Oil Filter Change |
2,000 - 4,000 hours |
Replace oil filter cartridge |
| Valve Inspection |
5,000 - 10,000 hours |
Check intake and discharge valves, clean or replace |
| Seal Replacement |
10,000 - 20,000 hours |
Replace shaft seals, O-rings, and gaskets |
| Bearing Inspection |
20,000 - 30,000 hours |
Check bearings, replace if necessary |
| Cylinder Liner Check |
30,000 - 40,000 hours |
Measure wear, replace liners if necessary |
| Complete Overhaul |
40,000 - 60,000 hours |
Full disassembly, replacement of all wear parts, reassembly, testing |
⏱️ Expected Service Life:
- ✓ With proper maintenance: 30-50 years
- ✓ Many Kinney pumps from the 1960s-1980s still in operation today
- ✓ Low speed (300-600 rpm) = minimal wear
- ✓ Robust construction allows multiple overhauls
- ✓ Long spare parts availability
💡 Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage – Selection Guide:
✅ Choose Single-Stage (KC, KLRC, KDH) When:
- Ultimate vacuum of 25-50 mbar is sufficient
- Very high pumping speeds required
- Rough vacuum applications
- Cost-effective solution desired
- Simpler maintenance preferred
- Used as roughing pump
✅ Choose Two-Stage (KT Series) When:
- Deep vacuum < 1 mbar required
- Used as backing pump for high vacuum pumps
- Higher efficiency at low pressures needed
- Ultimate vacuum down to 0.05 mbar necessary
- Demanding vacuum processes
- Energy optimization important
🔧 Our Service for Kinney Piston Pumps:
| 🛒 Sales |
New Kinney piston pumps – all series: KC, KT, KLRC, KDH |
| ♻️ Complete Overhaul |
Full reconditioning to factory standards – replacement of all wear parts |
| ⚙️ Repair |
Professional repair of all components: pistons, valves, bearings, seals |
| 📦 Spare Parts |
Comprehensive spare parts inventory: pistons, cylinder liners, valves, seals, bearings, oil filters |
| 🚗 On-Site Service |
Installation, commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting at your location |
| 🔍 Diagnostics |
Performance testing, condition assessment, vibration analysis |
| 💡 Consultation |
Application engineering, system optimization, energy savings |
| 🎓 Training |
Operator training, maintenance training |
🌟 Why Kinney Tuthill Piston Pumps?
| 🇺🇸 Since 1886 |
Over 135 years of experience in piston pump technology |
| 💪 Unmatched Robustness |
Service lives of 30-50 years are standard, not exceptions |
| ⚙️ Low Speed Design |
300-600 rpm = minimal wear, maximum service life |
| 🔧 Simple Maintenance |
Accessible design, easy component replacement |
| 💰 Low Operating Costs |
Minimal maintenance requirements, long service intervals |
| 🏭 Industrial Standard |
Proven worldwide in the toughest industrial applications |
| 📐 High Capacity |
Large pumping volumes for demanding processes |
| 🛠️ Long-Term Support |
Spare parts available even for decades-old pumps |
Need a Kinney Tuthill Piston Vacuum Pump?
Whether compact KC series for smaller applications, two-stage KT series for high vacuum as backing pump, or high-capacity KLRC/KDH series for large-scale industrial processes – our Kinney Tuthill experts are happy to advise you in selecting the optimal piston pump for your specific requirements.
We also specialize in complete overhaul and repair of existing Kinney piston pumps – even for models that are 30-50 years old. With comprehensive spare parts inventory and decades of experience, we restore your pump to factory performance standards.
Legendary American quality since 1886 – professional local service! Contact us today for expert consultation and vacuum pumps that last for decades.
