Draper Expert Petrol Water Pump, 85L/min, 2.5HP

Not every pumping job needs a 500-litre-per-minute workhorse. For the countless smaller but equally important tasks – draining a flooded inspection pit, clearing a waterlogged footing, emptying a garden pond, or pumping out a cellar – the Draper Expert PWP27 offers exactly the right level of capability in the smallest, lightest, most portable package in the Draper pump range.

At just 11kg and powered by a compact 98cc 2.5HP four-stroke petrol engine, the PWP27 delivers up to 85 litres per minute through a 25mm outlet, with a maximum head height of 10 metres and a 6-metre suction head. Self-priming operation means no manual priming procedure – position it, connect the hose, pull the cord, and it draws water automatically. Supplied with three metal hose couplings, a suction filter, and box spanner, it's ready to work straight from the box in any outdoor location where mains power isn't available.

Important: Do not operate this pump in enclosed spaces. For outdoor use only.

Key Features & Benefits

Self-Priming – Pull the Cord and Go

The PWP27's self-priming capability is one of its most practical features. Unlike non-self-priming pumps that require manual filling of the suction hose before starting, the PWP27 draws water automatically from the source once running. Position the suction hose, start the engine, and the pump does the rest – saving time, removing a fiddly setup step, and making it faster to deploy in urgent situations.

Ultra-Lightweight at Just 11kg

The PWP27 is the lightest pump in the Draper Expert range by a significant margin – nearly half the weight of the PWP52 (24kg) and less than a third of the PWP82T (35kg). At 11kg it's comparable to a full tool bag: one person can carry it comfortably by hand, take it up a ladder, lower it into a void, or transport it anywhere on site without assistance. For sole traders who work alone, domestic users who don't need heavy-duty machinery, and contractors who need a secondary pump they can carry to awkward locations, this weight advantage is transformative.

85L/Min – Right-Sized for Targeted Pumping Tasks

85 litres per minute is 5,100 litres per hour – more than enough to clear a flooded inspection chamber, empty a small pond, drain a waterlogged trench section, or remove standing water from a basement or cellar at a practical rate. For focussed, single-location pumping tasks where a large pump would be unnecessary and harder to manoeuvre, the PWP27 is the more efficient and appropriate choice.

10m Maximum Head Height

With a 10-metre maximum discharge head, the PWP27 pumps water over low embankments, up through a cellar hatch, and along useful discharge runs to the nearest drain or watercourse. While not in the same league as the 25–26m heads of the larger pumps, 10 metres is sufficient for the majority of residential, light commercial, and small-site pumping tasks.

6m Suction Head

A 6-metre maximum suction head allows the PWP27 to draw from flooded basements, deep inspection pits, garden ponds, and other below-grade water sources from a surface-level operating position. The supplied suction filter protects the impeller while maintaining consistent flow from the source.

2.5HP 98cc 4-Stroke Petrol Engine

A compact 98cc four-stroke petrol engine producing 2.5HP powers the PWP27. Four-stroke technology means no oil-and-fuel mixing, cleaner exhaust, and lower long-term running costs compared to two-stroke alternatives. The easy pull recoil start gets it going quickly even in damp or cold conditions.

25mm Outlet with Three Metal Hose Couplings

The 25mm (1 inch) outlet is standard for light-duty pumping applications and widely compatible with domestic and light commercial hose fittings. Three metal hose couplings are supplied – one more than the larger pumps – providing flexible connection options for suction and discharge hose configurations.

Compact and Easy to Store

Beyond its light weight, the PWP27's compact dimensions make it easy to store in a van shelf, shed corner, or vehicle locker between jobs. For property managers and maintenance contractors who carry a wide range of tools, a pump that takes up minimal space is a practical benefit.

E10 Fuel Compatible

Runs on E10 unleaded petrol from its compact 1.4-litre tank. Available at virtually all UK forecourts.

Full Specification

What's in the Box

• Draper Expert PWP27 Petrol Water Pump
• 3 × metal hose couplings
• Suction filter
• Box spanner

Important safety notice: Do not operate this pump in enclosed spaces. Outdoor use only.

Who Is the Draper Expert PWP27 For?

Sole Traders & Small Building Contractors – A light, self-priming pump that one person carries and deploys alone. Clear flooded footings, drain inspection chambers, and remove standing water from excavations without waiting for a larger machine or a second pair of hands.

Property & Facilities Managers – Keep a compact pump on hand for rapid response to minor flooding events, blocked drain overflows, and water ingress. At 11kg it stores easily in a maintenance van or plant room without taking up meaningful space.

Homeowners & DIYers – Drain a garden pond for cleaning, clear a flooded patio drain, remove standing water from a basement or cellar, or pump out a waterlogged inspection pit without hiring a contractor or a large pump. Self-priming means setup is straightforward for non-specialists.

Garden & Landscape Contractors – Empty ornamental ponds and water features for maintenance, relining, and seasonal cleaning. The 25mm outlet is well matched to the garden hose connections commonly used in landscaping work.

Agricultural Small Holdings – Pump water from small ponds and ditches, drain waterlogged areas of paddocks and smallholdings, and manage water features and small irrigation sources independently of mains power.

Plumbers & Drainage Engineers – A secondary pump light enough to lower into confined spaces, carry up stairs, and work in locations where a full-size pump won't fit or can't be manoeuvred. Complements a larger pump on the van for smaller, tighter jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does self-priming mean and why does it matter? A self-priming pump can draw water up through the suction hose without needing the hose to be manually filled with water first. On a non-self-priming pump, you must fill the suction hose with water before starting – a time-consuming step that can be difficult in awkward locations. The PWP27's self-priming mechanism means you simply position the suction inlet in the water, start the engine, and it draws up automatically. Faster to deploy, easier to use, and particularly useful in urgent flooding situations.

How does the PWP27 compare to the Draper Expert PWP52? The PWP27 (85L/min, 25mm, 11kg) and PWP52 (500L/min, 50mm, 24kg) are designed for different scales of pumping task. The PWP27 is the right choice for targeted, single-location tasks – draining a pit, emptying a pond, clearing a footing – where portability and ease of use matter more than raw flow rate. The PWP52 is a professional site pump intended for high-volume continuous drainage of large excavations, flooded buildings, and major site dewatering. If you're regularly pumping large volumes on construction sites, the PWP52 is the better investment; for lighter, more varied tasks, the PWP27's portability and self-priming make it far more practical.

Can I use standard garden hose with the PWP27? The PWP27 uses 25mm (1 inch) bore hose and is supplied with three metal couplings. Standard UK garden hose is typically 12.5mm (½ inch) internal diameter and is not compatible without an adapter. For best results and full flow rate, use 25mm bore pump hose matched to the supplied couplings.

How long will it run on a full tank? The 1.4-litre tank provides continuous runtime that varies with load and engine speed. At typical operating loads the PWP27 will run for approximately 1–2 hours per fill – sufficient for most targeted pumping tasks. Refuelling is quick given the small tank size.

Is the PWP27 suitable for a flooded basement or cellar? Yes – the PWP27 is well suited to this application. Position the pump at ground level or on a step above the flooding, lower the suction hose into the water, and the self-priming mechanism will draw water up (within the 6m suction head limit) and discharge it to a drain or outside the building via the discharge hose. Always ensure the pump itself remains in a well-ventilated outdoor position; never operate it inside the building.

What fuel does it use? E10 unleaded petrol, available at most UK forecourts.