The Jowett Blitz Fire pump Trailer

[ian Howell]

Well, I supp hose (heh, heh) that modern hose might have a similar bore to the 'old' stuff, so it might fit your couplings.

I guess the suction hose is potentially the bigger problem as it has to withstand the external atmospheric pressure as well as fitting your couplings.

If possible, I should take the pump to a fire station - someone there might be sufficiently interested to make helpful suggestions.

Another glimpse of the flaming (heh, heh again!) obvious - what about local plant hire people? If they hire out pumps for building sites . . . You never know . . .

[chieftain]

Here are a few photos of the finished pump as promised.....
Phil

[chieftain]

And a couple more.....

[Tony Fearn]

What a lovely-looking machine, and all credit to you for getting it spruced up so well.

Tony.

[Keith Andrews]

close up pics do show things up, not much to show up except a very nice build.
When u sort volume /pressure and I also see the inlet vaccuum there
most old gauges used to work around mid range so going on the pressure and vac gauges, that thing should pump a hell of a lot of water.

[Chris Spencer]

Phil - That's a very well restored pump - on the subject of hoses the original suction hose would have been wire armoured rubber to prevent the hose being drawn flat with the suction - wire armoured is still used today and is readily available - the strainers were largely made of wicker although some metal ones were used - I think I have a brass 3" one with non return valve hidden away in my lock up that you can have - but unsure if your pump is 3" or 4" ? - delivery hoses were lay flat canvas but these rot easily after a time - modern day pumps still use layflat but of PVC manufacture - you may find some canvas hose at a military surplus dealer - but I would try one of the fire service museums as a first port of call - London, Manchester, Sheffield, Wales all have a fire service museum and can be found with a quick browse of the Internet. Do you have the hose fittings compatable to the pump or do you have to locate these yet ?

Regards Chris

[chieftain]

Thanks Chris for the compliments.
I do have what I think are the original suction hoses, although these are split and perished, with the relevant brass fittings and they are indeed wire wound and seem to be layers of canvas or something similar. the fittings will free off and be serviceable.
A measurement with calipers of the tails to which the internal bore of the hose fits comes out at about 69 - 70 mm diameter.
I have found a length of red ex. fire brigade delivery hose on ebay with a 70mm bore so this should take care of that side and I already have a suitable nozzle/branch. I now need to set about finding a similar sized piece of suction hose and a suitable strainer then I can try it out. I would be interested in your strainer if it has approximately the same diameter attachment.
regards,
Phil

[Chris Spencer]

Phil - I will check my lock up next time I am passing - it's several miles from home so it maybe a week or so before I get round to it.

Chris

[Chris Spencer]

Phil - I have found the brass 'Stuart' strainer but it is a 2" / 50mm hose connection so is too small for your hose.

Regards

Chris

[chieftain]

Chris,
Never mind, many thanks for looking.
I now have a good length of delivery hose and, hopefully, before long should have acquired sufficient suction hose to give it a go.
Once the weather is a bit more favourable to 'playing with water' I'll try it out and let you know how it performs,
regards,
Phil