Franklin Electric Specialty Centrifugal Pumps

When the pump quits on a dust control truck, the replacement Franklin Electric water truck pump has to match the drive, rotation, and ports already on that truck. Get one of them wrong and it will not bolt up. This page shows how to pin down the right XS439 configuration, then covers the other specialty pump here, the end gun booster for center pivots.

Every XS439 here shares one 3x4-9 cast iron pump end. The choices are all about how it connects to the truck.

Belt Frame or Hydraulic: Match Your Truck's Drive

The XS439 comes in three drives: choose the belt frame model if a PTO or belt turns the pump, or the SAE B or SAE C hydraulic model if a hydraulic motor turns it. Then match rotation, port style, and seal to your truck, and you have one exact model number.

Franklin Electric Water Truck Pump Configurations

Every XS439 shares the same heavy cast iron volute, double keyed enclosed impeller, and heavy iron bearing frame. The drive end is what changes.

The pump size in the name tells you the ports: 3x4-9 means a 3-inch discharge, a 4-inch suction, and a 9-inch impeller.

Spline sizes and the full model code key are on our hydraulic driven XS models page.

Packing vs. Mechanical Seal on a Tanker

A packed box seal can be tightened in the field when it starts to drip more than normal. A slow drip of two to three drops per minute is normal, because the water cools the packing.

A replaceable shaft sleeve takes the wear where the packing rides, so you replace the sleeve instead of the shaft. Pick the mechanical seal if you would rather never adjust anything.

Mounting Checklist for the Truck Frame

• Confirm drive rotation before you order, since rotation is set at the factory.
• Rotate the volute to line up with your plumbing before final mounting.
• Use grooved couplings for fast removal, and add a discharge check valve.
• Jog the drive once to confirm rotation before you connect the plumbing.
• Grease the bearings through the external fittings more often in dusty work.

The back pullout volute lets you pull the pump end for a seal or impeller without removing the volute from the truck. On a tight frame, that saves hours.

End Gun Booster Pump for Center Pivots

The second pump here is the FEGB-200TE end gun booster. It mounts on the outer tower of a center pivot and adds the pressure the end gun needs to reach the field corners.

It is built as a direct replacement for existing end gun booster systems. It pairs a cast iron back pull-out casing with an enclosed, investment cast stainless steel impeller and a carbon/ceramic mechanical seal.

To size a booster, find the pressure your end gun needs at its inlet and the pressure actually available at the outer tower. The booster must make up that gap at the end gun's flow rate.

Drafting From Ponds or Building a Fixed Station

The XS439 is not self-priming, so it expects water to flow into it from the tank. If the truck must draft its own water from a pond, plan for priming or a self-priming pump.

If your truck already has a hydraulic circuit, match its spline and oil flow before you order. For fixed irrigation or municipal stations, the 13-inch XS and other frame mount centrifugal models give you larger sizes.

Need a pump that is not tied to a truck or a pivot at all? Start with the full Franklin frame mount lineup.

Price Drivers for Truck and Pivot Pumps

All XS439 models share one pump end, so the drive, seal, and port style set the difference, and we quote the exact model number. For the end gun booster, the less-volute model costs less than the complete pump.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a water pump truck?

A water pump truck is a tanker with a pump mounted on it to spray or deliver water on site. Crews use them for dust control, road compaction, construction watering, farm spraying, and firefighting support. The pump draws from the tank and pushes water through spray bars, cannons, or hose reels. On many trucks that pump is a centrifugal unit like the Franklin XS439, driven by a PTO, a belt, or the truck's hydraulic system.

Can a water truck pump run off a PTO?

Yes, a water truck pump can run off a PTO if the truck has one. The Franklin XS439 belt frame models (the BF codes) are made for engine PTO or belt drive. The PTO turns a shaft or belt that spins the pump, and engine speed or pulley ratio sets the flow. Confirm which way your PTO output turns, then order the matching clockwise or counterclockwise model.

Is a hydraulic water pump better for a water truck?

A hydraulic water pump is better for a water truck when the truck already has a hydraulic system with capacity to spare. It lets you mount the pump where plumbing is easiest and control speed with oil flow instead of engine rpm. A PTO or belt setup has fewer parts and suits trucks without spare hydraulics. Franklin builds the XS439 in belt frame, SAE B hydraulic, and SAE C hydraulic versions.

Send us the model number off your current water truck pump or pivot booster, and we will quote the matching Franklin configuration.