Source
Joseph Evans & Sons, Pump Makers, Wolverhampton, England.
Catalogue"B" Hand Pumps & Small Power Pumps, January 1947 Edition issued to and obtained from the now closed Beckton Gas Works, North Thames Gas Board.
Section 8, The Versatile "Leo" Pump, Pages 5 - 8, and 11 - 14 inc.
Collection
There is one Leo pump in the collection.
- Model 827 and Motor, Size 2, "V" belt driven.
- There are several versions of Model 827, including pumps driven by a flat belt, "V" belt with an electric motor, "V" belt driven by a petrol engine, portable types driven by either an electric motor or petrol engine and a self-contained air pressure automatic pumping plant; most versions available in four sizes. In addition Evans produced a twin-barrel quadruple-acting version as Model 828, flat belt or "V" belt driven and a self-oiling unit as Model 828S, the latter in a range of sizes from 2½" to 6" dia barrel bore
Leo Electric Pump, Model 827, Size 2, with 1" delivery and suction - 300gpm
The pump was advertised and purchased though eBay in January 2023 from a seller in Swanage. It was found to be in a poor condition with some frost damage and without its motor.
These "Leo" pumps are self-oiling, self priming with a single barrel and surface mounted. A patent relief valve protects the pump. The main body casting is of close grain cast iron. The working barrel is separate from the body casting and is fitted with a brass lining. By removing three nuts the barrel is easily disconnected without disturbing the gland or piston. Valves are brass with india rubber discs on brass seats, spring loaded. The suction and delivery valves are in separate chambers, which can be removed by slacking off the tie bolts. The patent relief valve forms an intergral part of the pump and is arranged internally. This valve safeguards against possible high pressures caused by blockages. The mechanical end comprises a steel shaft running in two ball bearings, a large eccentric providing motion to the gun metal piston rod and a piston bucket with two cup leathers. A substantial crosshead guide is provided and the whole motion runs in oil.
The pump was completely dismantled and each part thoroughly de-greased, cleaned and painted. It was during this process when it was discovered that the cast iron chamber covering the two delivery valves and supporting the air bottle had been badly frost damaged and a section of the casting missing. This was not immediately visible from the seller's photos, so buyers beware, always double check on the condition before parting with one's money! The challenge now was to make a missing part to match the original.
Luckily this chamber casting was reversible so it was ideal for making a wooden core pattern based upon the "good" end, then securely fix it to a suitable base butting to the damaged piece, enabling a replacement section to be made with epoxy putty and reinforced with fine aluminium mesh. Once cured the solid epoxy piece was filed and sanded to match the good end using cardboard templates to replicate the curves etc. Finally after checking for a good fit, the epoxy made piece was bonded to the cleaned and degreased damaged cast iron section and the whole painted. The final result looks almost perfect, although I doubt whether one would be able to use the pump for pumping duties?
The pump has now been re-assembled with new joints, washers and nuts using the original bolts suitably cleaned and the oil sump filled. The flywheel and motion now turn easily, (Feb 2023). A small, but old, single phase, 230v, 1/8hp, Metropolitian Vickers electric motor has since been sourced from Twyford Waterworks Museum. The coil for the centrifugal starter mechanism was found to be 'open circuit', but after a good clean and repair, along with a new small pulley and V belt, the pump is now complete and works well .(Dec 2023)