Little Tuffy's Big Brother, Vacuum Pump

The Little Tuffy’s Big Brother is a heavy-duty, oil-free piston vacuum pump built for laboratories running frequent or parallel vacuum tests. Its higher free-air displacement helps evacuate multiple connected vessels, while oil-free construction eliminates oil changes and the risk of oil mist associated with oil-sealed pumps. This makes it particularly attractive for busy asphalt laboratories performing theoretical maximum specific gravity testing. The pump is intended for dry applications and requires proper filtration and post-test purging to protect the mechanism.

Key Features

• Supports vacuum systems used for ASTM D2041/D2041M and AASHTO T 209 theoretical maximum specific gravity testing when the assembled system achieves the required vacuum.
• The higher pumping capacity can support two Rice tests simultaneously when the plumbing and vessels are appropriately configured.
• Oil-free piston construction eliminates routine oil changes and avoids oil mist from the pump exhaust.
• The heavy-duty design suits laboratories that conduct repeated vacuum tests throughout the workday.
• A hydrophobic filter helps protect the pump from moisture carried over from test vessels.
• The pump’s strong vacuum capability can be useful in higher-altitude laboratories when the complete system is verified.

Included Items

Pump, 4in of tubing and hydrophobic filter

Lab Manager's Tip

Use the supplied hydrophobic filter, keep liquids out of the pump and purge with air for approximately ten minutes after each test as directed in the HMA listing. For ASTM D2041/D2041M or AASHTO T 209, measure absolute pressure at the test vessel; a pump rating expressed in inches of mercury does not by itself prove the specified vacuum was reached.

Typical Applications

Rice testing, theoretical maximum specific gravity, asphalt mixture density testing, laboratory vacuum manifolds and parallel vacuum-test operations.