Waterax BB-4-18 User manual

QUICK GUIDE
BB-4®-18/23
This Quick Guide shows the basic operation of the WATERAX BB-4-18/23 4-stage high pressure pump.
• The WATERAX BB-4 pump model pairs a WATERAX 4-stage pump end with a Briggs & Stratton Vanguard
18 HP or 23 HP gasoline engine. For engine instructions, oil and fuel recommendations, please refer to the
engine manufacturer’s manual.
• For detailed instructions on using and troubleshooting your pump, as well as full service and maintenance
instructions, refer to our website to download the BB-4 Owner’s Manual.
• For full specifications and performance curves, see the BB-4-18 or BB-4-23 Data Sheets.
Warnings and Safety Precautions
This warning label appears on all WATERAXpumps to identify safety
hazards as follows:
READ YOUR ENGINE MANUAL!
Before proceeding further, locate and read the engine
manufacturer’s manual. It contains very important safety
information that MUST be read, understood and followed to
safeguard you and your equipment from harm, as well as for
the proper use and care of your engine. Use only fuel and oil
type recommended in the engine manufacturer’s manual.
Always check oil level in crankcase before use.
GENERAL WARNINGS:
•Do not operate if mentally/physically fatigued.
•Inspect hoses and piping to avoid burst injuries.
•No modifications and/or alterations may be made to the
pump. Any such modifications void the pump warranty
and can endanger pump operators.
•Do not operate the pump above the maximum rated
pressure. Use only pipe, hose, and fittings rated at or
above the maximum pressure rating of the pump or
system design.
•Slowly close valves. Use slow close valves wherever
possible to safeguard operators and prevent damage
from water hammer.
•Dry weight of the unit: 164 lbs (will vary depending on
options).
WEAR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION.
Always wear eye and ear protection when operating the
pump unit. Sound level of the unit: 99 dB(A).

QUICK GUIDE
NEVER RUN THE ENGINE IN A CLOSED
OR CONFINED AREA.Exhaust gas contains
carbon monoxide which is poisonous to humans.
Avoid inhalation of exhaust gas.
REFUEL ENGINE WITH CARE. Gasoline is
extremely flammable, and gasoline vapor can
explode. Refuel in a well-ventilated area, with the
engine stopped.
NEVER TOUCH ANY EXHAUST SYSTEM
PARTS WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING. Always
allow enough time, after stopping the unit, for proper
cooling of the muffler and surrounding parts.
READ THE PUMP OWNER’S MANUAL!
The improper use of this pump could result in serious injuries
as well as damage to the unit. Read the BB-4 Owner’s
Manualbefore using your BB-4 pump unit and follow the
safety instructions in this Quick Guide.
EQUIPMENT DAMAGE PREVENTION:
•Flush the pump with fresh water if the pump has been used to pump salty, brackish, high mineral content water,
water containing debris, or foam injected water. Check that debris is cleared before using the pump again.
Always draft water using a suction hose strainer.
•
Parts Identification
A. Priming cap
B. Pump intake (suction)
C. Pump drain port (not shown)
D. Pump discharge
E. Quick release pump clamp
F. Low-tone muffler
G. Fuel pump (not shown)
H. Fuel valve* (not shown)
I. Starter key switch** (not shown)
J. Rewind starter (not shown)
K. Throttle** (not shown)
L. Choke (not shown)
M. Control panel*†(option)
N. Exhaust primer*‡(option)
O. Guzzler primer* (option)
* Denotes optional components
** Items not available when Control Panel
Option is selected
†Engine mounted control panel shown. Other
options are panel mount control panels and
skid mount panels.
‡Replaces low-tone muffler
A
B
D
F
G
H
I
JK
LN
O
M
C
E

QUICK GUIDE
To operate the BB-4-18/23 unit:
1. Fill fuel tank with recommended fuel grade.
a. For models with an integral fuel tank, fill tank and securely
replace cap.
b. For models without an integral fuel tank, fill external fuel tank
and connect fuel supply line to the fuel filter. Pump fuel to fill
supply line.
Check oil level (see engine manual).
Priming
Port
Suction/
Intake
Port
Discharge Port
2. Connect the suction hose, using a universal hose coupling
wrench to tighten coupling firmly:
Drafting Mode: Connect footvalve strainer to male end of suction
hose, then fill suction hose with water and connect to pump
intake.
Flooded Suction Mode: Connect female end of suction hose to
pump intake and connect male end to hydrant or other supply.
a. Slowly open the pump inlet valves allowing the water into the
pump body.
b. Slowly open the discharge valves and priming valves to
allow for entrapped air in the piping to escape.
c. Once all the air has escaped, slowly close any opened
valves so that the unit may be started.
!DO NOT allow footvalve strainer to rest on
bottom of lake or riverbed. Check strainer
frequently to make sure that it is not clogged
with moss, leaves, etc.
!DO NOT lift strainer from water while the pump
is operating. Use a rope or other means to keep
strainer at proper height, approximately 1 foot
(30 cm) below water surface. If strainer is too
close to the water surface, it will draw air and
pump may lose prime.
3. Connect discharge hose, nozzles, etc., to pump, and tighten
firmly with coupling wrench.
4. Prime the pump.
Check that all drains, discharge valves, or any auxiliary valves are closed
before priming the pump. Open the priming ball valve (located between the
pump and the primer).
Manual Priming: Open the priming cap and fill pump with water manually.
Firmly tighten priming cap. Pump can also be primed by “jerking” the suction
hose until water flows from the pump’s discharge port.
Guzzler Priming: If equipped with a Guzzler primer, follow the hand pump
manufacturer’s operation instructions. Pump until water is drawn into the
pump.
Electric Priming: See instructions for your electric primer. Note that most
electric primer motors are intended to be used only a short duration (about 20
seconds). If pump fails to prime, see the BB-4 Owner’s Manualfor
troubleshooting tips.
Close the priming valve after priming. Failure to close the priming valve
could cause the pump to lose prime or water to be pumped through the
priming system.
Exhaust Priming: See Step 6.
Option 1:
Open priming
cap and fill
pump with
water.
Option 2:
Attach hand primer to
discharge port and
pump until water flows
into pump-end.
Option 3: Use
guzzler or exhaust
primer (not shown),
if equipped.

QUICK GUIDE
5. Start the engine.
a. With all discharge valves closed, turn the on/off ignition key or switch (if
equipped with a Control Panel) to the “ON” position.
b. Open fuel valve.
c. Close/engage choke, if engine is cold.
d. Increase throttle past the idle position.
e. Start the engine using the key switch or the start button. Hold until
engine starts. DO NOT HOLD for more than 5 seconds. If starting using
the rewind starter, ensure that the key switch or ignition switch (if
equipped with a Control Panel) is on the "ON" position. Give starter rope
a quick steady pull until engine starts.
f. Open/disengage choke.
g. Allow the engine to warm up for at least 2 minutes before using full
throttle.
Throttle
Start
Button
On/Off
toggle switch
Engine Mount Control Panel (optional)
6. Engage the exhaust primer.
a. Open priming valve (located just below check valve on portable units).
b. Adjust THROTTLE to full speed position.
c. Close and press down firmly on muffler-lever-handle or pull priming knob
(if supplied with a panel mount control panel) until a solid stream of
water flows from priming ejector.
d. Close the priming valve and re-open the muffler-lever-handle/butterfly
valve. The check valve will open automatically under the water pressure
when priming occurs.
e. Slowly open a discharge valve to validate that the pump has been
primed. If pressure does not build in the discharge hose, the pump has
not been fully primed. The valve should be closed and the pump primed
again. Continue this process until the pump has been fully primed.
f. Reduce throttle setting and allow engine to warm up for at least 2
minutes before using full throttle.
Exhaust Primer (optional)
7. Discharge water.
Once the pump is primed, and with the engine running, you can begin to
discharge water.
a. If pressure does not build in the discharge hose, the pump has not been
fully primed. The discharge valve should be closed and the pump primed
again.
b. Adjust the pump performance by throttling the engine up or down, or
opening or closing discharge valves at various positions, or any
combination of the two.
!DO NOT leave the pump running
with all the discharge valves closed for
more than one minute, or else the
pump may overheat and become
damaged. To avoid this, a re-
circulation line (if provided) should be
opened or a discharge line left slightly
open to allow fresh water to continue
to enter the pump.

QUICK GUIDE
To shut down and store the BB-4-18/23 unit:
1. Shut down the pump.
a. Gradually reduce the engine speed.
b. Whenever the unit has been run at full throttle for most of the operation, allow the valves to remain slightly
open and run the engine at idle for approximately 2 minutes before shutting down the unit.
c. If the unit is to be stored, move the fuel valve lever to the OFF position and wait for the engine to stop.
Otherwise, set the ignition switch to the OFF position to shut down the engine.
d. Close off the hydrant/supply to the pump.
e. Open all valves to relieve any pressure left in the system.
2. Check and store the pump.
a. If the pump was last run with foam or water that is salty, brackish or high in mineral content, flush the pump
with fresh water for a minimum of 2 minutes or until the water is clear.
b. After the unit has cooled down, check all fluid levels and add as needed.
c. Completely drain the pump of all water.
d. Break down and store all equipment as outlined by the apparatus or department procedures.
e. Visually inspect the pump end. Clean any dirt or debris from the pump unit. If necessary, a mild soap and
water solution can be used. Note and report any performance irregularities or any abnormal mechanical
sounds.
f. Close all valves and plug all openings.
g. Follow any other product, component, apparatus, and departmental procedures and/or guidelines before
placing the unit in storage. Make sure all necessary tools, spares, and accessories are with the pump.
To operate the BB-4-18/23 unit in cold weather:
•The pump can be run in below freezing temperatures if certain precautions are taken to avoid the formation of
ice in the pump.
•After priming the pump, the unit should be run at low RPM for a short period of time to allow all components to
warm up before continuing with the remaining operating procedures.
•Unless wrapped in a heater, drain the pump of all water if it is stopped for any length of time. The engine/drive
unit should be turned over a few revolutions to make sure all water has been removed from the pump. Drain
the pump priming line if a primer has been used.
•After use, drain the pump, manifolds, and lines of all water. You can also pour some antifreeze into the pump
and circulate it through the pump and plumbing system.
Warranty, Service and Support
Product and service documentation such as tech notes, data sheets, manuals and information on the limited warranty
provided on products manufactured by WATERAX can be found on our Web site at: www.waterax.com

All information contained in this document including drawings is proprietary to
WATERAX and may not be copied, reproduced or used in whole or in part
without our prior written permission. The information in this document is
subject to change without notice. Model displayed with multiple options.
Weight and dimensions are approximated and may vary depending on options.
To help you stay #ReadyForWildres, we’ve made a few changes, placing
100% of our focus on manufacturing our core products, portable re pumps.
To do so, we’ve established a network of trusted supply and distribution
partners that can help us provide WATERAX pumps quickly in addition to
water-handling equipment and accessories.
For immediate assistance when it comes to pumps and water-handling
accessories, please contact your local dealer.
For genuine spare parts, visit our online store.
BB-4®is a trademark of Waterax.
WATERAX INC.
6635 Henri-Bourassa W.
Montreal, QC H4R 1E1
T 514 637-1818
F 514 637-3985
TF 1 855 616 616-1818
[email protected]
waterax.com