Bürkle Foot-operated Solvent Pump with Outlet Elbow, V2A Stainless Steel, for Drums up to 220 L, 5603-1100

When dispensing from a 220-litre steel drum, both hands are often needed: one holds the receiving container, whilst the other is supposed to guide the spout. The foot-operated solvent pump solves this problem by being activated via a foot pedal: the operator has both hands free for the container and does not need to touch the pump itself whilst the solvent flows through the fixed spout.

Foot operation instead of a hand pump

Instead of a pump ball, the operator presses a pedal at the base of the pump. Each press forces air into the drum and builds up excess pressure, which pushes the solvent through the riser pipe to the outlet elbow. This completely frees up the hands and, during repeated filling over several minutes, is noticeably more comfortable than a hand pump that has to be held down continuously. Even with larger 220-litre drums, which require more strokes, the effort required is distributed more evenly when using the foot.

For drums up to 220 l with a G2-inch thread

The pump is designed for steel drums with a G2-inch external thread and is suitable for containers up to around 220 l. The 21-millimetre-diameter dip tube can be continuously adjusted to the depth of the drum; at full immersion, it extends up to 95 centimetres into the drum. With a flow rate of around 20 l per minute and a viscosity of up to 500 mPa·s, it fills a container noticeably faster than the smaller hand pump for 60-litre drums.

Fixed spout for stationary filling

The 300-millimetre-long outlet elbow with shut-off valve is fixed in place and not flexible. This is ideal when the target container is positioned directly beneath or next to the pump, as the short, rigid path from the drum to the spout, with an outer diameter of 13 millimetres, allows for stable, easily controllable flow. If, on the other hand, a container needs to be filled that is further away, raised or positioned at an angle, the identically constructed foot-operated solvent pump with discharge hose and tap is the more suitable option: It has the same pump body and the same flow rate, but replaces the rigid elbow with a 1-metre-long, flexible hose fitted with its own shut-off tap.

Materials and safety when handling flammable liquids

Parts in contact with the medium are made of stainless steel 1.4301 (V2A) and PTFE, which are resistant to high-purity solvents. Bürkle also draws attention to the explosion protection guidelines for this pump: all parts must be earthed, and an anti-static kit is recommended for use with flammable liquids. The product page does not specify a specific ATEX certification number.

Who will benefit from foot operation

Anyone who fills containers from the same drum several times a day will quickly notice the difference compared to manual operation: with foot-operated control, one hand remains on the receiving container whilst the other can guide the spout or operate the shut-off valve without having to touch the pump itself. This also reduces direct hand contact with a potentially contaminated pump surface, an aspect that is particularly important when dealing with sensitive solvents.

When a smaller or compressed-air-powered pump is required

For smaller 60-litre drums, the more compact manual pump for solvents is usually sufficient. If compressed air or inert gas is available and the immersion depth needs to remain adjustable between 60 and 95 centimetres, the solvent dispensing system with discharge elbow covers the same depth range with a complete system including a pressure regulator.

Typical applications

• Filling high-purity solvents from 220-litre steel drums
• Workstations where both hands are needed to handle the target container
• Frequent, repetitive filling over extended periods
• Drums with G2-inch threads in laboratories, warehouses or production facilities

Technical details

Scope of delivery

• Foot-operated solvent pump with outlet elbow

Service and procurement

Those who, in addition to stationary filling operations, occasionally need to fill containers located further away often order both the spout and the hose versions together, so that both situations are covered. LT Laborhandel can advise on choosing between the two versions, selecting the appropriate drum size and sourcing spare parts such as shut-off valves or foot pedals.