Hand Driven Centrifuges for Field S&W Testing
Portable Sediment and Water Testing for Field, Remote, and Marine Applications
SafeRack’s hand driven centrifuges deliver fast, dependable sediment and water (S&W) analysis wherever crude oil and petroleum products are produced, transferred, or stored. Self-contained and hand-cranked, they need no electricity and no compressed air — ideal for well sites, tank batteries, marine terminals, and remote lease operations where quick screening decisions can’t wait for the lab.
Each unit meets or supports the intent of API MPMS Chapter 10.4 (Determination of Water and Sediment in Crude Oil by the Centrifuge Method — Field Procedure) and ASTM D4007 for laboratory correlation work.
Applications
- Well and lease sample screening
- Pre-custody-transfer S&W checks
- Marine barge and vessel sampling
- Emergency and remote-site testing
- Field verification before laboratory submission
Why operators choose hand-driven centrifuges
- No power, no air lines — deploy anywhere
- Simple, field-repairable construction
- 16:1 gear ratio for the RPM required by API MPMS 10.4 field procedure
- Compact and lightweight for truck kits and tool boxes
- Supports the three standard API centrifuge tube styles
Hand Driven Centrifuges for Field S&W Testing
Safety & Compliance Expert
HAVE A QUESTION?
Talk to a Safety Expert Now
Hand-Driven Centrifuges
The 18800 Series pairs heavy-duty castings with a smooth dual-gear drive. A 16:1 gear ratio produces the relative centrifugal force needed for S&W testing straight from a hand crank, and the two-place head keeps the unit balanced during operation.
Every 18800 Series centrifuge is available in three head configurations to match the centrifuge tubes your procedure requires. Order tubes separately.
Hand-Driven Centrifuge
12.5 ml — 2-Place (18801)
Head: #18861 two-place with 18372 shields
Tubes: Accepts 12.5 ml API centrifuge tubes (sold separately)
Drive: Dual-gear, 16:1 ratio
Weight: 5 lbs (6 lbs shipping)
Best for: API MPMS 10.4 field procedure using the 12.5 ml tube
Hand Driven Centrifuge
Pear Shaped — 2-Place (18811)
Head: #18872 two-place with 18080 shields
Tubes: Accepts 100 ml pear shaped tubes (sold separately)
Drive: Dual-gear, 16:1 ratio
Weight: 5⅝ lbs
Best for: Larger sample volumes and pear-tube laboratory correlation
Hand-Driven Centrifuge
Short Cone — 2-Place (18821)
Head: #18873 two-place with 18081 shields
Tubes: Accepts 100 ml short cone tubes (sold separately)
Drive: Dual-gear, 16:1 ratio
Weight: 5¾ lbs
Best for: Current API Chapter 10.4 revision recommending the short cone tube
Choosing the Right Hand-Driven Centrifuge
| If you need to… | Order this model |
|---|---|
| Run 12.5 ml API tubes for field S&W | 18801 |
| Test larger samples with pear shaped tubes | 18811 |
| Follow the current API MPMS 10.4 short cone recommendation | 18821 |
Not sure which tube style your procedure requires? Talk to a SafeRack Regional Area Manager — they’ll match the centrifuge, tubes, and sampling accessories to your written procedure and site conditions.
Complete Your Field Sampling Kit
Pair your hand driven centrifuge with the sampling tools already on this page:
- Sample catchers and oil thieves — Tulsa Oil Thief, zone samplers, bacon bombs
- Centrifuge tubes — 12.5 ml, pear shaped, and short cone (order with your centrifuge)
- Sample retrieval reel (40826) — 100 ft stainless cable with grounding strap
Hand Driven Centrifuges: Frequently Asked Questions
A hand driven centrifuge separates sediment and water from a crude oil or petroleum sample so an operator can read the S&W percentage directly off a graduated tube. It’s a portable field tool used for quick sample screening before or in place of laboratory testing.
The Walker 18800 Series is designed to support the API MPMS 10.4 field procedure. The 16:1 gear ratio and specified crank speed produce the required relative centrifugal force for the tube sizes listed for each model. Always verify actual RPM and calculated RCF against your written procedure — see W.L. Walker’s Buy the Right Centrifuge guide for the RCF equation.
Use a hand driven unit when you don’t have reliable power, you’re working in a classified area where an inherently non-electrical tool is preferred, or you need a compact backup in a field kit. Use an electric or heated centrifuge for higher throughput, temperature-controlled testing, or custody-transfer volumes.
No. Each model ships with the head and shields only. Order 12.5 ml, pear shaped, or short cone tubes to match your procedure.
Yes. The 18800 Series is compact and lightweight enough for truck kits and portable test cases. Secure it to a stable surface before cranking.