DON DAW’S FIRE FIGHTING PUMP – C. 1990

Don Daw was a Tractor Museum president and local Fire Marshall who designed and manufactured this unique fire-fighting pump in 1990. He made his own pattern and smelted aluminium in his back shed, then machined all parts on his lathe. The pump is 20% more efficient than most other pumps and produced a higher flow rate than any alternative at the time. Large numbers were sold to the Bush Fire Brigade which enticed the Bell Fire Equipment Co. to buy the patent. Numerous engines were used to drive the pump, ranging from Briggs & Stratton to Vanguard.

History.  Don did his apprenticeship with Perth Transport, then opened a motor vehicle workshop in Byford with an RAC breakdown van. Museum members still say “If Don couldn’t fix it, it wasn’t worth fixing”. Don passed away in 2015.