Olin Engineering Bio
Olin Engineering Co was founded by Dave Swain in 1975, as a manufacturer of high quality driveline upgrades for mechanical Thomsen and Mayco grout pumps. The driveshaft assembly was guaranteed not to fail for the life of the pump, and when combined with a manifold upgrade, it increased output by up to 50%, by lengthening the drive cylinder stroke. Pistons were changed out to o’ring type, lowering horsepower consumption and increasing useable cylinder length. Oilers were replaced with splash type oil lubrication. Bottom end bearing o’rings were removed, eliminating the necessity to grease the lower end tapered roller bearings. The modifications changed the performance and maintenance characteristics of these pumps dramatically, making a name for Olin in the Southern California market. The difference made to an A4.5 or A7 was so impressive, that Thomsen Sales legend Joe Schmidt actually referred several disgruntled customers to Dave.
Several months after purchasing three Thomsen driveline kits, a San Diego customer contacted Dave to ask for his help in developing an idea he had for a hydraulic small line ball valve pump. Dave agreed to design the hopper and manifolds to accommodate the unique pumping system, and in return got distributorship of the product in LA and Orange Counties. At first, sales of the product in these areas turned out to be impossible, as unlike San Diego, the sand was manufactured and poorly graded, causing poor pumping efficiency, resulting in line surge. Forced to take action, Olin developed the first nitrogen backed surge chamber to be used on a concrete pump, and the units started selling briskly.
Fortunately, as it turns out, quality of the product declined rapidly, and Dave was spending up to 8 hours on each unit, just to correct factory defects before delivery was possible. It was at this point in time, in 1979, when a customer suggested that Dave design and build his own pump, which the customer ordered and took delivery on in early 1980. The company was then incorporated, and the Federal Trademark OLINPUMP was registered.
The Olinpump line of Diesel Hydraulic Ball Valve pumps quickly gained popularity in the commercial market, efficiently and smoothly handling high sack, low slump, small aggregate structural mixes used in high steel density poured in place structures, up to 300’ vertically, easily outperforming the 1” pumps previously thought necessary for the tough application. From shallow oil well cementing in Canada, to deep foundation Auger Cast pile in Florida, to faux rock Shotcrete in Dubai, to tunnel and mining Shotcrete robots in Scandinavia, Olinpumps serve a world of applications with simplicity and reliability, while continuing to be American owned and operated.
Thirty three years later, with a full line of World Class S-Tube and Ball Valve pumps from 25 to 170 YPH, the 5 80 and 5 95 Ball Valves remain the most efficient means of placing high strength ½” minus mixes up to 50% aggregate, through 2-1/2” line, for vertical poured in place applications. Olin’s 5 25 thru 5 45 models are well known for their ability to pump lean ‘performance’ mixes other Small Line pumps can’t. Other brands offer small S-tube pumps for small line pumping, but the line surge, high maintenance, and low output are no match for the small Olin Ball Valves.
From shallow oil well cementing in Canada, to deep foundation Auger Cast pile in Florida, to faux rock Shotcrete in Dubai, to tunnel and mining Shotcrete robots in Scandinavia, Olinpumps serve a world of applications with simplicity and reliability, while continuing to be American owned and operated.
Our Shop
