If you are looking into purchasing or renting a pump for an upcoming construction project, it’s crucial that you know the differences between the three primary types of construction pumps so that you can make the right choice for your application. Although submersible, portable, and towable construction pumps are used with the same goal in mind (displacing water or other fluids), they each function slightly differently, making some types better for some applications than the alternatives. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between submersible, portable, and towable construction pumps to help you make an informed decision when it comes time to buy or rent a pump for your project! If you have any additional questions about construction pumps or if you are interested in purchasing or renting a pump for your construction or contracting business in New England, please contact our team at Pro Tool & Supply and Pro Equipment Rental today to get a free quote!
Submersible Pumps
Submersible pumps have the capability of operating underwater and are primarily used in deep water, making them useful for applications like flooded basements, trenches, and excavation pits. These pumps ensure high efficiency, quiet operation, and no priming requirement, making them perfect for wet summer jobsite conditions.
Recommended Applications:
- Deep foundation dewatering
- Sumps and pits
- Urban construction projects with limited space
Portable Pumps
Portable construction pumps are ideal for applications where speed and mobility is a necessity. These pumps are relatively small compared to alternatives and can typically be carried by one person. The downside to portable pumps is that they sacrifice output capacity for mobility, meaning they typically do not pump water out of a space as quickly as other types of pumps. However, these pumps can easily be repositioned to ensure the space is pumped out thoroughly.
Recommended Applications:
- Small dewatering jobs
- Emergency water extraction
- Small site work
Towable Pumps
Towable construction pumps are ideal for heavy dewatering or high-volume construction projects. These pumps are mounted to a two-wheel trailer so that they can be towed behind vehicles, making it easy to transport them from one jobsite to another. There are many different models of towable construction pumps, each of which differs in design and output capacity. Some towable pumps are also considered “trash pumps”, meaning they can handle some solids and debris to prevent clogging.
Recommended Applications:
- Large-scale excavation dewatering
- Infrastructure construction (roads, bridges, tunnels)
- Emergency flood control
Buy & Rent Construction Pumps in New England from Pro Tool & Supply!
Pro Tool & Supply and Pro Equipment Rental provides contractors and construction companies in New England with sales and rentals of construction equipment, tools, and supplies, including construction pumps! If you are a contractor in New England that is interested in purchasing or renting construction equipment for your business, please contact Pro Tool & Supply by calling us at (857) 706-2980 or by filling out the contact form on our website! To get a free estimate on a purchase or rental from Pro Tool & Supply, please fill out the “Request a Quote” form on our website!


