01
Viscous Products
When you're moving anything above roughly 300 cP — mayo, caramel, peanut butter, lotions, emulsions — rotary lobe delivers consistent flow a centrifugal simply can't.
Waukesha Cherry-Burrell · APV · Authorized Distributor
Sanitary Rotary Lobe Pumps. Engineered for hygienic processing.
The complete line of sanitary positive displacement pumps for food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturers — backed by on‑hand inventory, technical sizing support, and rapid parts shipping from Schaumburg, IL.
01 — The Lineup
Five pumps. One family of hygienic performance.
Every rotary lobe pump we carry is selected, sized, and supported by our technical team. From the original Universal 1 that set the sanitary standard to the high-pressure Universal 3, each model solves a specific processing challenge.
The Original Workhorse
WAUKESHA U1 SERIES
Waukesha Universal 1
The original "Can Do" pump. Designed for Clean Out of Place (COP) applications, the U1 has been the sanitary processing standard for decades — still spec'd today for its proven reliability and straightforward serviceability.
COP Design
Universal Mounting
Proven Reliability
Explore U1 Specs
Our Go-To Sanitary PD
WAUKESHA U2 SERIES
Waukesha Universal 2
Purpose-built for Clean In Place (CIP) applications. The U2 combines versatility with performance-enhancing and cleanability features — our recommended default for modern hygienic processing plants.
CIP Optimized
500 PSI Rated
3-A Certified
Explore U2 Specs
Heavy Duty Industrial
WAUKESHA U2 ND SERIES
Universal 2 ND
Purpose-built for heavy-duty industrial applications. Long-life internals and installation flexibility let this robust PD pump run at pressures of up to 500 psi.
500 psi
Industrial Duty
View U2 ND
High Pressure Sanitary
WAUKESHA U3 SERIES
Universal 3
The newest addition to the Universal family. Excels in high-pressure applications and features an internal seal design that makes service dramatically simpler.
High Pressure
Internal Seal
View U3
Economical & Gentle
APV R SERIES
APV R Series
Our most economical offering. Ideal for applications where metal rotors aren't quite right — dough, yeast, dairy. Unique features include a degassing cover for air-entrained products.
Elastomer Rotors
Degassing Cover
View R Series
02 — Side by Side
Quick-spec comparison matrix.
Not sure where to start? Here's how the five models stack up across the specs that matter most when you're specifying a sanitary PD pump.
| Specification | Universal 1 | Universal 2 | U2 ND | Universal 3 | APV R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Legacy COP plants | Modern CIP plants | Industrial / high pressure | High-pressure sanitary | Dough, yeast, dairy |
| Cleaning Method | COP | CIP | CIP | CIP / COP | COP |
| Pressure Rating | Standard | Standard | Up to 500 psi | High pressure | Standard |
| Rotor Material | Alloy 88 | Alloy 88 | Alloy 88 | Alloy 88 | Elastomer |
| 3-A Sanitary | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Degassing Cover | — | — | — | — | ✓ |
| Internal Seal | — | — | — | ✓ | — |
03 — The Decision
Why a rotary lobe (and not something else)?
Rotary lobe pumps aren't the right answer for every process, but when they are, nothing else comes close. Here's when to spec one.
02
Shear Sensitive
Yogurt, cottage cheese, creams and finished emulsions degrade under high shear. Gentle rotor action preserves product integrity and texture.
03
Solids & Particulates
Fruit chunks, cheese curds, meat pieces, pulp. Non-contacting lobes pass inclusions gently without pulverizing them.
04
Accurate Metering
Positive displacement means near-linear flow vs. RPM. Dial in precise dosing without complicated feedback control.
04 — Industries We Serve
Applications across hygienic processing.
Our rotary lobe pumps run in production lines across North America. These are the industries where they do their best work.
// 01
Food
Sauces, dressings, fillings, soups, spreads, condiments, bakery mixes.
// 02
Dairy
Milk, cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream base, cream cheese.
// 03
Beverage
Juices, concentrates, syrups, flavorings, functional drinks.
// 04
Pharmaceutical
Slurries, creams, gels, suspensions, fermentation transfers.
// 05
Personal Care
Lotions, shampoos, conditioners, gels, emulsions, pastes.
05 — FAQ
Technical questions, answered straight.
The questions we get most often from engineers, maintenance teams and procurement spec‑ing rotary lobe pumps.
What is a sanitary rotary lobe pump?
A sanitary rotary lobe pump is a positive displacement pump that uses two counter-rotating lobed rotors to move product through the pump head. Because the rotors do not contact each other or the casing, the pump gently handles viscous, shear-sensitive and particulate-laden fluids used in food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical and personal care processing. Sanitary versions meet 3-A Sanitary Standards with polished contact surfaces and CIP/COP cleanability.
What's the difference between the Waukesha Universal 1 and Universal 2?
The Universal 1 (U1) is designed for Clean Out of Place (COP) applications and has been the long-standing workhorse for sanitary PD pumping. The Universal 2 (U2) was engineered for Clean In Place (CIP) cleaning with a broader seal lineup — single and double mechanical plus knife and high-pressure barrier seals — improved cleanability and upgraded performance (up to 500 PSI), all in the same footprint. If you're speccing a new installation today, the U2 is usually the right call; the U1 remains popular for existing COP facilities and as a direct replacement.
When should I choose a rotary lobe pump over a centrifugal pump?
Choose a rotary lobe pump when you need to move viscous products (above roughly 300 cP), handle shear-sensitive fluids like yogurt or creams, meter product accurately, transfer fluids containing solids or particulates, or generate higher discharge pressure. Centrifugal pumps are better for low-viscosity, high-flow transfer applications like CIP solutions, water and thin juices. For borderline applications, our team is happy to size both options for you.
What pressure can Waukesha rotary lobe pumps handle?
Pressure capability varies by model. The Universal 1 and Universal 2 are rated for typical sanitary process pressures. The Universal 2 ND industrial series is rated up to 500 psi for heavy-duty applications. The Universal 3 is purpose-built for high-pressure sanitary applications and features an internal seal design that simplifies service compared to external seal configurations.
Do you stock rotary lobe pump parts?
Yes. Triplex Sales stocks rotors, seals, gaskets, O-rings and complete seal kits for the full Waukesha Universal line and APV R Series. Registered customers can view on-hand Waukesha PD pump inventory through our online portal. We handle quoting, part number cross-referencing, and expedited shipping from our Schaumburg, IL facility. Send us a part number or a pump nameplate photo and we'll take it from there.
Can you help with pump sizing and selection?
Absolutely — it's most of what we do. Share your process conditions (flow rate, viscosity, pressure, product type, temperature, CIP requirements) through our RFQ form or call us directly at 847.839.8442. We'll recommend the right model and configuration, and walk you through trade-offs before you commit. No-obligation technical support is part of the package.
Ready when you are
Experience the future of fluid solutions today.
Whether you need a replacement pump, a complete system, or just a second opinion on your current setup — we'll meet you where you are. Technical sizing, quoting, and follow-through from a team that's been doing this since 1978.
