RF-600 Series

Operation and Maintenance Instructions

Table of Contents

Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Pump Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Operating Instructions
Pumping from Water Tank 5
Pumping from in Relay 6
Pumping from Draft 7
Mechanical Seal 8
Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Read through the operation

instructions carefully before
using your Waterous RF-600
Series Pump

NOTE: Instructions subject to change without notice

F-1031, Section 2125 (Issued: 06/24/13)

Waterous Company, 125 Hardman Avenue South, South St. Paul, Minnesota 55075 USA (651) 450-5000
www.waterousco.com
 Safety Information

Read through the safety information and operating instructions carefully before us­
ing your Waterous Pump.

! WARNING ! WARNING

Death or serious personal injury might occur if proper op­ Unexpected Truck Movement. May result in serious
erating procedures are not followed. The pump operator, personal injury or death.
as well as individuals connecting supply or discharge Failure to properly shift transmission in accordance to
hoses to the apparatus must be familiar with these pump the transmission operating instructions may result in un­
operating instructions as well as other operating instruc­ expected truck movement which may result in serious
tions and manuals for the apparatus, water hydraulics personal injury or death.
and component limitation.

! WARNING

Pressure Hazard. May result in personal injury.

Prior to connection or removal of hoses, caps or other
closures with pump intake or pump discharge connec­
tions, relieve pressure by opening drains or bleeder
valves. Bleeder valves should also be used while filling
a hose connected to an intake with fluids.

! WARNING

Scalding Water Hazard. May result in serious burns.

When operating the pump, be sure to open at least one
discharge valve slightly to prevent the pump from over­
heating. If the pump runs for a few minutes completely
closed, it may heat the water enough to scald someone
when the valve is opened. Overheating can damage the
packing, seals and other pump parts. If the apparatus
builder has installed a by-pass system or other provision
designed to prevent overheating, opening a discharge
valve may be unnecessary.

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 2 of 9

 Introduction
This instruction contains the information needed for operation and maintenance of RF-600 Series pumps.

General Description
The RF-600 series pumps are single stage centrifugal end suction pumps providing capacities up to 600 GPM (2200 L/min).
RF-600 models are midship mounted with a Victaulicr discharge fitting.

Components
Body Assembly Mechanical Seal
This assembly includes a single stripping edge volute body, The mechanical seal consists of a flat, highly polished
intake adapter and related parts. The body and adapters are (lapped), spring-fed carbon ring that is sealed to and rotates
anodized aluminum. with the impeller shaft. It presses against a highly polished
(lapped) silicon carbide mating ring that is sealed in the vo­
Impeller Shaft Assembly lute body. This seals the shaft and prevents air from entering
This assembly consists of a aluminum, flame-plated impeller and water from leaving. A mechanical seal does not leak or
mounted on a stainless steel shaft, wear rings, mechanical drip water, even when pumping.
seal and related parts. The impeller is balanced and the im­
peller shaft is supported by ball bearings.

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 3 of 9

 Pump Models
RF-600 Series

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 4 of 9

 Operating Instructions

Pumping from Tank

! WARNING CAUTION
Pressure Hazard. May result in personal injury or Do not attempt to pump more water or fuel than is
death. available from the tank. Always make sure the
intake pressure compound gage reading stays
Prior to connection of hoses, caps or other closures above zero.
with pump intake or pump discharge connections, re­
lieve pressure by opening drains. 4. Set relief valves or other pressure governing device to
desired pressure.
! WARNING After Pumping
Scalding Water Hazard. May result in serious
burns. ! WARNING
When operating the pump, be sure to open at least Pressure Hazard. May result in personal injury or
one discharge valve slightly to prevent the pump from death.
overheating. If the pump runs for a few minutes com­
pletely closed, it may heat the water enough to scald Prior to removal of hoses, caps or other closures with
someone when the valve is opened. Overheating can pump intake or pump discharge connections, relieve
damage the packing, seals and other pump parts. If pressure by opening drains.
the apparatus builder has installed a by-pass system
or other provision designed to prevent overheating, 1. Disengage pump drive. If equipped with a WRX
opening a discharge valve may be unnecessary. transmission disengage pump drive in accordance with
the transmission instructions.
1. Open valve(s) in piping between tank and pump intake 2. If pumping anything but clean water, remove all intake
and at least one discharge valve. and discharge caps, open all valves and open all drains.
Flush entire system with clean, fresh water for several
2. Allow about 30 seconds for water or fuel to flow into
minutes to remove all traces of impurities.
pump.
3. Close all drains and install intake and discharge caps.
! WARNING

Unexpected Truck Movement. May result in per­

sonal injury or death.
Failure to properly shift transmission in accordance
with the transmission operating instructions may result
in unexpected truck movement which may result in
serious personal injury or death.

3. WRX Transmission: Engage pump in accordance with

transmission instructions.

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 5 of 9

 Pumping in Relay
6. Open discharge valves and accelerate engine to obtain
! WARNING desired discharge pressure and capacity.
Pressure Hazard. May result in personal injury or 7. Set relief valves or other pressure governing device to
death. desired pressure.
Prior to connection of hoses, caps or other closures
with pump intake or pump discharge connections, re­ CAUTION
lieve pressure by opening drains or bleeder valves. Do not attempt to pump more water or fuel than is
available from the hydrant or relaying pumper. Al­
ways make sure the intake pressure compound
! WARNING gage reading stays above zero.
Scalding Water Hazard. May result in serious burns.
NOTE: Some fire departments operate at a minimum
When operating the pump, be sure to open at least one intake pressure of 10 psi (.7 bar) when pumping in
discharge valve slightly to prevent the pump from over­ relay to prevent a “soft" intake hose from collaps­
heating. If the pump runs even for a few minutes com­ ing.
pletely closed it may heat the water enough to scald
someone when the valve is opened. Overheating can After Pumping
damage the packing, seals and other pump parts.If the
apparatus builder has installed a by-pass system or oth­
er provision designed to prevent overheating, opening ! WARNING
a discharge valve may be unnecessary.
Pressure Hazard. May result in personal injury or
death.
! WARNING Prior to removal of hoses, caps or other closures with
pump intake or pump discharge connections, relieve
Unexpected Truck Movement. May result in person­ pressure by opening drains or bleeder valves.
al injury or death.
Failure to properly shift transmission in accordance with 1. Disengage pump drive. If equipped with a WRX trans­
the transmission operating instructions may result in un­ mission disengage pump drive in accordance with the
expected truck movement which may result in serious transmission instructions.
personal injury or death. 2. If pumping anything but clean water, remove all intake
and discharge caps, open all valves and open all drains.
4. WRX Transmission: Engage pump in accordance with Flush entire system with clean, fresh water for several
transmission instructions. minutes to remove all traces of impurities.
5. Open intake and other valves as necessary to allow 3. If pump is kept full of water when not in use, make sure
water or fuel to enter the pump. water is clean and non-corrosive. Make sure the pump
NOTE: Bleeder valves should be used while filling a is completely full or completely drained (never partially
hose connected to an intake with water or fuel. full).

CAUTION CAUTION
Limit intake pressure to 75 psi (5.2 bar) if possible. 4. Close all drains and install intake and discharge caps.
Although the pump will operate properly with higher
intake pressure, such operation will greatly acceler­ 5. If truck is equipped with a priming pump, operate it until
ate mechanical seal wear. fluid is discharged from priming pump discharge pipe. If
equipped with a priming tank, check fluid level and refill
if necessary.

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 6 of 9

 Pumping from Draft
d) Immerse intake strainer at least two feet below water or
! WARNING fuel surface to prevent pump from drawing air. (Whirl­
pools forming above intake strainer indicate that strainer
Pressure Hazard. May result in personal injury or is too close to surface of water.)
death.
e) Make sure intake strainer is far enough from bottom to
Prior to connection of hoses, caps or other closures with prevent sand, gravel and other foreign matter from be­
pump intake or pump discharge connections, relieve ing drawn into the pump.
pressure by opening drains.
1. RF-600: Engage pump in accordance with transmission
instructions.
! WARNING 2. Set relief valves or other pressure governing device to
desired pressure.
Scalding Water Hazard. May result in serious burns.
When operating the pump, be sure to open at least one After Pumping
discharge valve slightly to prevent the pump from over­
heating. If the pump runs even for a few minutes com­
pletely closed it may heat the water enough to scald ! WARNING
someone when the valve is opened. Overheating can
damage the packing, seals and other pump parts. If the Pressure Hazard. May result in personal injury or
apparatus builder has installed a by-pass system or oth­ death.
er provision designed to prevent overheating, opening a Prior to removal of hoses, caps or other closures with
discharge valve may be unnecessary. pump intake or pump discharge connections, relieve
pressure by opening drains.

! WARNING 1. Disengage pump drive. If equipped with a WRX trans­

mission disengage pump drive in accordance with the
Unexpected Truck Movement. May result in person­ transmission instructions.
al injury or death.
2. If pumping anything but clean water, remove all intake
Failure to properly shift transmission in accordance with and discharge caps, open all valves and open all drains.
the transmission operating instructions may result in un­ Flush entire system with clean, fresh water for several
expected truck movement which may result in serious minutes to remove all traces of impurities.
personal injury or death.
CAUTION
NOTE: To get full capacity, quick prime and maintain
pump efficiency: Freezing water hazard.
a) Position vehicle as near as possible to water or fuel sup­ May cause damage to the pump.
ply. If the pump is exposed to freezing temperatures,
drain all water from pump, lines and accessories.
b) Avoid humps and sharp bends in intake hose. Make
sure no part of hose is higher than pump inlet. (Air pock­
ets in intake hose may cause loss of prime or erratic 3. Close all drains and install intake and discharge caps.
pump action, and may reduce pump capacity.)
c) Make sure all intake connections are tight and discharge
valves are closed.

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 7 of 9

 Mechanical Seal
A mechanical shaft seal is used and no adjustment is The RF-600 is equipped with drain notches on the pump
required. When the pump operates, the water being body/transmission mounting flange or bearing housing. If
pumped cools and lubricates the shaft seal to prevent it any water or fuel seeps through the mechanical seal in
from overheating. the pump or oil seeps through the oil seal in the transmis­
sion or bearing housing, a V-ring on the impeller shaft dir­
CAUTION ects the oil or water into the drain notches. This prevents
water from entering into the oil in the transmission/bearing
Prolonged dry pump operation or operating a dry housing or oil from entering into the water supply of the
pump at high speeds will reduce the life of the me­ pump.
chanical seal.

If the mechanical seal leaks, replace the entire seal.

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 8 of 9

 Lubrication
1. Check the lubrication fluid level monthly by check­ 2. Change lubrication fluid and clean breather once a
ing the sight plug or by removing the oil level plug. year or after each 100 hours of operation, whichever
The fluid should be level with the bottom of the oil comes first. Lubrication fluid may be added through
level hole. the oil level hole or by removing the breather and
adding fluid through the opening. Any type of auto­
CAUTION matic transmission fluid (ATF) may be used.
Low or excessive lubrication fluid may cause 3. Quantities of lubrication fluid if system is completely
damage. drained and refilled:
If lubricant fluid level is low, locate source of leak RF-600 Series Models:
and repair. If level is high, loosen oil level plug
Approximately 8 quarts of ATF.
and drain until proper level is reached. If any
water drains out, change lubrication fluid and
determine source of water leakage and repair.

F-1031, Section 2125 Page 9 of 9