Next step up
Waukesha Universal 2
CIP-optimized successor. 14 sizes, up to 500 PSI, 3-A certified, Tru-Fit ports.
Explore U2Waukesha Cherry-Burrell · Rotary Lobe PD
The original can-do sanitary PD pump.
The Waukesha Universal 1 has been the workhorse of sanitary rotary lobe pumping for decades. Nine sizes, up to 450 GPM and 200 PSI, 3-A certified, COP cleanable, with non-galling Alloy 88 rotors that outlast the competition — a proven, cost-effective choice for food, beverage, dairy, and cosmetic process lines.
01 — Overview
A proven platform for sanitary positive displacement duty.
The Universal 1 earned its "can-do" reputation by being the pump engineers reach for when they need reliable, sanitary, self-priming positive displacement flow without the cost or complexity of a full CIP-ready pump. Its circumferential piston design, generous clearances, and robust construction handle everything from low-viscosity dairy products to heavy particulate-laden slurries.
Every Universal 1 is built around Waukesha's proprietary non-galling Alloy 88 rotors — a critical design choice, because lobe pumps run with tight clearances that cause stainless rotors to gall and seize. Alloy 88 is the reason Universal 1 pumps routinely outlast stainless-rotor competitors.
01
Sanitary certified
3-A standard; built for food, dairy, beverage, cosmetic, and pharma process lines.
02
Gentle on product
Low-shear lobe action preserves delicate ingredients, particulates, and emulsions.
03
Field-serviceable
Seals, elastomers, and rotors all swap in the field — no return to factory, no special tooling.
04
Cost-effective
Lower capital cost than the U2 when CIP cleaning isn't required by your process.
02 — Features
Engineered for uptime.
Every design choice in the Universal 1 — from the non-galling Alloy 88 rotors to the 316L stainless construction — is aimed at predictable, long-service operation in demanding sanitary process environments.
Standard Features
- 316L stainless steel construction — body, cover, and shaft.
- Waukesha Alloy 88 rotors — proprietary non-galling alloy for extended service life.
- Easy disassembly for COP cleaning — front cover and rotors remove without special tools.
- FDA compliant elastomers — selected to match your product and cleaning chemistry.
- Meets 3-A standards — certified for dairy, food, beverage, and sanitary process duty.
- Aseptic options available — for critical sanitary and pharma applications.
- Field-changeable seals — single O-ring, double O-ring, single mechanical, and double mechanical, all swappable in the field.
- Flexible 3-way mounting — drive and port orientation adapts to your skid layout.
03 — Theory of Operation
The circumferential piston principle.
The Waukesha Universal Series uses the time-tested circumferential-piston operating principle. Arc-shaped "pistons" (rotor wings) travel in annular cylinders machined into the pump body, creating a long sealing path between inlet and outlet that reduces slippage and produces a smooth flow of product — without destructive pulses, pressure peaks, valves, or complex parts.
Because the rotors are made from Waukesha's non-galling Alloy 88, they can run at exceptionally close clearance with the 316L stainless fluid head without galling or seizing should inadvertent pressure surges cause contact. The close clearances combined with the long sealing path yield low-slip operation even on low-viscosity fluids — which translates to high efficiency, reliable priming, metering capability, and tight flow control.
Large fluid cavities in the rotors, paired with generous anti-cavitation ports, let the Universal Series efficiently pump high-viscosity fluids, slurries, and liquids carrying large chunks or particulates.
Because the Waukesha Cherry-Burrell design runs with no bearings in the pumped fluid, no sliding or rolling contact, and no rotor-to-rotor contact, the Universal 1 delivers long service life even under severe or abrasive conditions.
04 — Specifications
Nine sizes, one platform.
The Universal 1 scales from the 006-U1 (ideal for dosing and small transfer duty) up to the 320-U1 (bulk transfer and process loop). Displacement per revolution, nominal capacity, and maximum pressure for each model shown below.
| Model | Displacement per Revolution | Nominal Capacity to | Maximum Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 006-U1 | 0.0082 gal (0.031 L) | 6 GPM (1.3 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
| 015-U1 | 0.0142 gal (0.054 L) | 9 GPM (2.0 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
| 018-U1 | 0.029 gal (0.110 L) | 17 GPM (3.8 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
| 030-U1 | 0.060 gal (0.227 L) | 36 GPM (8.2 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
| 040-U1 | 0.076 gal (0.288 L) | 45 GPM (10.2 m³/hr) | 150 PSI (10.3 bar) |
| 060-U1 | 0.153 gal (0.579 L) | 90 GPM (20.4 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
| 130-U1 | 0.254 gal (0.961 L) | 150 GPM (34.1 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
| 220-U1 | 0.522 gal (1.976 L) | 310 GPM (70.4 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
| 320-U1 | 0.754 gal (2.854 L) | 450 GPM (102 m³/hr) | 200 PSI (13.8 bar) |
Nominal capacity and maximum pressure ratings per Waukesha Cherry-Burrell. Actual performance depends on viscosity, product properties, and system conditions — Triplex Sales application engineers will size and specify the correct model for your duty point.
05 — Configuration Options
Built to your process.
Every Universal 1 is configured to duty. Select the seal, elastomer, connection, and gearcase that fit your fluid, temperature, and cleaning regime.
06 — Applications
Where Universal 1s earn their keep.
From pilot-scale dosing to full production transfer, the U1 runs in every corner of the sanitary processing world.
Food & Beverage
- Soups, stews, tomato pastes
- Vegetables, dressings
- Chocolate, fats & oils
- Batters, cream fillings
- Brewery, wort
- Soft & fruit drinks
- Meat processing
Dairy
- Cream, milk
- Cheese curd & whey
- Cottage cheese
- Yogurt
Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic
- Pill pastes
- Syrups, extracts, slurries
- Face creams & lotions
- Hair styling gels & liquids
- Dyes & alcohols
- Soaps
- Cosmetics
- THC & CBD handling
Chemical & Industrial
- Solvents, paints
- Fuels
- Resins, polymers & sludges
- Oils & lubricants
07 — Resources
Documentation, videos, and field-proven stories.
Everything our application engineers use to spec, quote, and troubleshoot the Universal 1 — made available to you.
Literature & Manuals
- Universal 1 Brochure
- Universal 1 Instruction Manual
- Universal 1 Parts List
- Ship Sure PD Pumps
- Waukesha Engineering Manual
- Pump Remanufacturing Program
- Integral Speed Reducer
- Seal Reference Chart
- Universal 1 Series Product Highlights
- Universal E-Pumps Product Highlights
- PD Pumps Spur Gears Product Features
- PD Pumps Specialized Product Features
- High Precision Pump Shaft Bearings
- Preventative Maintenance Checklist for PD Pumps
- Universal 1 Pump Seal Kits Parts List
08 — FAQ
Questions we actually get.
If your question isn't here, call a Triplex Sales application engineer — we size, spec, and troubleshoot U1s every day.
What's the difference between the Universal 1 and the Universal 2?
The U1 is the original workhorse — 9 sizes, up to 200 PSI, designed for COP (clean-out-of-place) duty. The U2 is the higher-pressure, CIP-ready successor — 14 sizes, up to 500 PSI, with an improved front-loading seal and Tru-Fit port design. If your process mandates CIP cleaning without disassembly, go with the U2. If you disassemble for cleaning anyway, the U1 is typically a better value.
What does COP mean, and can I CIP a Universal 1?
COP — Clean Out of Place — means the pump is designed to be disassembled, hand-cleaned in a parts sink, and reassembled. You can run CIP cycles through a U1, but the seal and interior geometry are not optimized for automated cleaning validation the way the U2 is. For 3-A CIP-without-disassembly duty, specify the U2.
Why are Alloy 88 rotors so important?
Lobe pumps run with rotor-to-body clearances measured in thousandths of an inch. When loaded, 316 stainless rotors will gall (cold-weld on contact) and seize the pump. Alloy 88 is Waukesha's proprietary non-galling alloy developed specifically to solve this. It's a large part of why a well-maintained Universal 1 routinely outlasts competing lobe pumps.
What seals should I specify?
Most sanitary duty uses a single mechanical seal with EPDM elastomers. Chemically aggressive or high-temperature cleaning chemistries push you toward FKM or FFKM. For abrasive or high-vapor-pressure products, specify a double mechanical seal with a flush. We'll help you pick the right configuration for your fluid and CIP chemistry.
What's the service interval?
With proper elastomer selection and clean product, a Universal 1 typically runs 18-36 months between overhauls. Seal replacement at each overhaul, plus rotor inspection, keeps the pump running at spec. Every U1 we sell ships with a recommended spare parts kit tailored to duty.
Can the U1 run dry?
Briefly, yes — the U1 is self-priming and handles short dry-run events without damage. But extended dry running will overheat the seal faces and damage the elastomers. If dry-run conditions are possible, specify a double mechanical seal with a flush, or add a run-dry protection interlock.
Is the Universal 1 still being manufactured?
Yes. Waukesha Cherry-Burrell (SPX Flow) continues to manufacture new U1s, parts, and seal kits. Triplex Sales ships new pumps and stocks a full line of replacement parts for every U1 model.
Ready to spec a Universal 1?
Let's size your pump together.
Give us your duty — fluid, flow, pressure, temperature, and cleaning regime — and a Triplex Sales application engineer will confirm the right U1 model, seal, and rotor configuration. Same-day quotes on most duty points.
