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2024 was a key year in the history of our flagship Gusher Pumps brand. It marks 100 years since company founder Alois Ruthman invented the first sealless centrifugal pump. This pioneering pump gave birth to both the Gusher brand name and the now industry-standard term 'coolant pump'.
To celebrate, we ran a contest asking you to show us your oldest Gusher Pumps still in operation. The submissions did not disappoint. Our winning pump has been running for 57 years, just edging out the runner-up which has 55 years of reliable operation!
Our winners are:
- Austin Miller of distributor Great Lakes Pump and Supply won our grand prize Yeti Haul Cooler with a Ruthman Series Vertical Flanged pump (5K-2 model) manufactured in 1967.
- Gregg Gordon of distributor Anderson Process took a close second $100 Amazon gift card with a Ruthman Vertical Immersed pump (9040-S model) manufactured in 1967.
- Lloyd Pratt of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing also won an Amazon gift card with a unique application submission of a horizontal ANSI style pump (model PCL6x8-11) installed on an ECOAT pre-wash line.
While these are the oldest of the contest submissions, they're not the longest running Gusher Pumps we've seen. In 2000, a Ruthman Series UL model pump was sent in for basic maintenance. Based on the serial number, we verified it was manufactured in 1942 for American Tool Works. Rather than service and return a piece of Gusher history, we sent them a brand new pump, keeping the original for display in our offices. Had the pump been returned to service, it certainly would have surpassed 58 years of operation, easily topping these submissions.
Stay tuned in the new year for the photos and full application details from our winners!
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