Oberdorfer 164M-03-A84 Bronze Rotary Gear Pump — Reliable 12 Volt DC Motor-Driven Positive Displacement Performance
The Oberdorfer 164M-03-A84 is a close-coupled, motor-driven bronze rotary gear pump designed to deliver consistent, positive displacement flow across a wide range of industrial, agricultural, and OEM fluid-handling tasks. Built in the tradition of over 130 years of Oberdorfer manufacturing in Syracuse, New York, this unit combines a precision all-bronze pump body with a dedicated DC motor, making it especially well-suited for installations where AC power is unavailable or impractical — such as mobile equipment, remote systems, battery-backed operations, and vehicle-mounted applications. Whether you're moving lightweight oils, mild chemicals, glycol solutions, diesel fuel, or water, the 164M-03-A84 delivers steady, metered flow that holds up reliably under variable back pressure.
What sets this pump apart is its construction quality and operational simplicity. The pump housing and gears are cast from high-grade bronze for excellent corrosion resistance, while the drive shaft is stainless steel 303 and the bearings are carbon-graphite — chosen specifically for their wear resistance and long service intervals. As a positive displacement design, each shaft revolution moves a fixed volume of liquid largely regardless of system pressure, which means flow is predictable, controllable, and directly tied to shaft speed. The pump is also self-priming and capable of handling suction lifts up to 20 feet when properly installed with a foot valve and airtight suction line. For operations that need dependable, repeatable fluid transfer without complicated setup or frequent maintenance, the 164M-03-A84 is a proven, field-ready solution.
Key Features
- All-bronze pump housing and gears for superior corrosion resistance in demanding fluid environments
- Stainless steel 303 drive shaft for durability and long-term wear resistance
- Carbon-graphite bearings engineered for extended service life with minimal maintenance
- Positive displacement rotary gear design delivers consistent, metered flow independent of discharge pressure
- Close-coupled 12 volt DC motor configuration for compact, direct-drive installation
- Self-priming capability with suction lift up to 20 feet (with foot valve and airtight suction line)
- Suitable for lubricating and non-lubricating fluids across a broad pH range (4–11)
- Handles fluid temperatures up to 400°F (204°C) within rated seal limits
- Compatible with viscous fluids up to 100,000 cP
- Relief valve available (R-model suffix) to protect system from overpressure in throttled discharge lines
- Compact close-coupled footprint — well suited for space-constrained or mobile installations
- Part number 164M-03-A84 identifies a specific motor/pump configuration for repeatable OEM replacement
Applications
- Industrial oil and lubricant transfer
- Diesel fuel and light fuel oil transfer
- Agricultural fluid handling and irrigation chemical metering
- Glycol and coolant circulation for induction heating and cooling systems
- Chemical transfer in mild-chemical, mid-pH environments
- Mobile equipment and vehicle-mounted fluid transfer systems
- Battery-powered or DC-wired remote installations
- OEM pump replacement and custom equipment builds
- Biodiesel and vegetable oil transfer
- Dockside and engine room quick oil change operations (non-marine-exclusive; also applicable in industrial service bays and mobile maintenance rigs)
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Oberdorfer Pumps (an Ingersoll Rand company)
- Model / Part Number: 164M-03-A84
- Pump Type: Bronze rotary helical gear pump, positive displacement
- Drive Type: Close-coupled 12 volt DC motor
- Construction: All-bronze pump housing and gears; stainless steel 303 shaft; carbon-graphite bearings
- Shaft Seal: Drip-proof lip seal (Buna/Nitrile standard; Viton/Fluoroelastomer optional — add S15 suffix)
- Maximum Pressure: 100 PSI (6.9 bar) for water and non-lubricants; 150 PSI (10.3 bar) for oils and lubricants
- Maximum Shaft Speed: 1,750 RPM
- Suction Lift: Up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) when pump and suction line are properly primed
- Fluid Compatibility: Water, oils, mild chemicals, glycols, fuels, brine — pH range 4–11
- Maximum Fluid Temperature: 400°F (204°C) with appropriate seals
- Maximum Viscosity: Up to 100,000 cP (suitable for heavy oils and viscous fluids at reduced speed)
- Port Size: 3/8" IPS (confirm with distributor at time of order; port size is configuration-dependent in the 164M series)
- Relief Valve: Available as factory-installed option (R-series designation)
- Priming: Self-priming; foot valve recommended for best results
- Flow Direction: Determined by shaft rotation direction; pump is reversible when ordered in reversible configuration
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What does the suffix "A84" mean in the Oberdorfer 164M-03-A84 part number?
In Oberdorfer's model coding system, the suffix after the dash designates the motor type and electrical configuration. The "A" designation identifies a DC motor, and "84" further specifies the motor's voltage, horsepower rating, and duty cycle within that DC motor family. This makes the 164M-03-A84 a complete pump-and-motor unit configured for DC power, rather than a pump end only.
Q: Is the Oberdorfer 164M-03-A84 suitable for non-marine use?
Yes — while Oberdorfer pumps are well known in marine contexts, the 164M-03-A84 is equally at home in industrial service bays, agricultural equipment, mobile maintenance rigs, remote DC-powered systems, chemical processing, and OEM machinery. The DC motor configuration is particularly valuable anywhere AC power is unavailable or inconvenient.
Q: Can this pump handle viscous fluids like heavy oils?
Yes. Oberdorfer bronze gear pumps are designed for viscous fluids up to 100,000 cP. For very heavy fluids such as SAE 30 or heavier oils, it is recommended to reduce shaft speed accordingly, as viscous liquids require lower RPM to maintain proper pump operation and avoid motor overload.
Q: Does the 164M-03-A84 require a relief valve?
A relief valve is required in any system where the discharge line contains a throttling device such as a shut-off valve, spray nozzle, or restrictor. Without a relief valve in such configurations, the pump can build dangerous overpressure. Oberdorfer offers models with a factory-installed built-in relief valve (designated with an "R" in the model number). Consult your distributor to confirm whether your application requires this option.
Q: What is the maximum suction lift for this pump?
Oberdorfer bronze rotary gear pumps can achieve suction lift up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) when the impeller and suction line are properly primed and the suction line is completely airtight. A foot valve with strainer is strongly recommended at the beginning of the suction line to maintain prime and prevent debris ingestion.
Q: What fluids should NOT be pumped with the 164M-03-A84?
This pump is not suitable for severe solvents, strong acids, or highly abrasive fluids. Fluids outside the pH range of 4–11 or that are chemically incompatible with bronze, stainless steel 303, or Buna/Nitrile seals should be avoided. For aggressive chemical applications, Oberdorfer's CHEMSTEEL (stainless steel or Hastelloy-C) pump line would be the appropriate alternative.
Q: Is the flow direction on this pump reversible?
The standard configuration pumps fluid in a fixed direction determined by shaft rotation. Reversible-flow variants are available in the Oberdorfer line and are designated with an "R" in the model suffix. If bidirectional or reversible flow is needed for your application, confirm the correct model suffix with your distributor before ordering.
Q: How do I know which seal option is right for my application?
The standard shaft seal is a Buna (Nitrile) lip seal, rated to 212°F and suitable for water, oils, fuels, and mild chemicals. For applications involving higher temperatures, solvents, or more aggressive chemicals, a fluoroelastomer (Viton) seal or PTFE seal is available by adding the appropriate suffix (such as S15) to the model number at time of order.
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