Frequently Asked Questions
American Mud Pumps designs, manufactures, and services mud pumps, well service pumps, and industrial plunger pumps from its Houston, Texas, facility. We supply equipment, aftermarket parts, and field services to drilling operations across the United States and internationally. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive, with links to in-depth guides for each topic.
About American Mud Pumps
What does American Mud Pumps do?
We manufacture triplex and quintuplex mud pumps, well service and frac pumps, and industrial plunger pumps. We also supply a full line of fluid end parts (liners, pistons, valves, fluid ends) compatible with all major OEM pump brands, replacement shale shaker screens, and complete mud pump packages. Our service team provides on-site overhauls, preventive maintenance programs, and remote AR-supported field service.
Where is American Mud Pumps located?
3050 Post Oak Blvd, Suite 510, Houston, TX 77056. All equipment is assembled and tested at our Houston facility before shipment.
Is American Mud Pumps ISO certified?
Yes. American Mud Pumps operates under ISO 9001 quality management certification and Lean Six Sigma manufacturing practices.
Does American Mud Pumps ship internationally?
Yes. We supply equipment, parts, and services to drilling operations worldwide.
Mud Pump Equipment
What triplex mud pumps does AMP manufacture?
Our AMP triplex series covers 160 to 2,200 HP and pressures up to 7,500 PSI — from the compact AMP-150 (1,850 lbs) to the heavy-duty AMP-2200L (61,250 lbs). All models use forged steel crankshafts and high-strength steel fabricated frames built for continuous-duty drilling operations. → Triplex Mud Pumps — Complete FAQ
What quintuplex mud pumps does AMP manufacture?
Our AMPQ quintuplex series covers 300 to 3,000 HP and pressures up to 7,500 PSI — including the AMPQ-3000, the world's most powerful mud pump ever built. Quintuplex pumps deliver significantly lower pulsation than triplex pumps, extending fluid end life and reducing fatigue on surface iron. → Quintuplex Mud Pumps — Complete FAQ
What is the difference between a triplex and quintuplex mud pump?
A triplex has three cylinders producing three pressure pulses per revolution. A quintuplex has five cylinders phased 72° apart, producing smoother, lower-pulsation output. For deep wells, extended-reach drilling, and offshore applications where pulsation control and fluid end longevity are priorities, the quintuplex is the preferred choice. → Quintuplex Mud Pumps — Complete FAQ
Does AMP offer well service and frac pumps?
Yes. Our AFP/AFPQ series covers 2,500 to 7,000 HP for hydraulic fracturing, cementing, acidizing, and high-pressure well service operations. Models include the AFPQ-7000 (7,000 HP, 4,910 PSI, 2,199 GPM) down to the AFPQ-2500 (2,500 HP). → Well Service & Frac Pumps — Complete FAQ
Does AMP offer industrial plunger pumps?
Yes. Our AQ (quintuplex) and AT (triplex) plunger pump series covers 15 to 881 HP and pressures from 4,724 to 22,902 PSI — for saltwater disposal, pipeline injection, chemical injection, pressure testing, and other high-pressure continuous-duty industrial applications. → Industrial Plunger Pumps — Complete FAQ
Does AMP offer complete mud pump packages?
Yes. We provide turnkey packaging — pump, prime mover, skid, pulsation dampener, lube system, instrumentation, and piping — in AC motor-driven, diesel-powered, and hybrid configurations. Every package undergoes a 4-hour full-load Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) before shipment. → Mud Pump Packaging — Complete FAQ
Parts & Expendables
Do you sell aftermarket parts compatible with NOV, Gardner Denver, BOMCO, and EMSCO pumps?
Yes. We supply liners, pistons, valves, fluid ends, and power end components that are 100% interchangeable with all major OEM pump brands including NOV, Gardner Denver, BOMCO, EMSCO, LEWCO, Oilwell, IDECO, and Continental EMSCO. All parts meet or exceed OEM specifications.
What liner types does AMP offer?
We offer bi-metal liners (steel with hard chrome or carbide inner surface), ceramic zirconia liners (3–5x longer life in abrasive conditions), and high-chrome sleeve liners. Available for all major OEM pump models from 4.0" to 7.5" diameter. → Mud Pump Liners — Complete FAQ
What piston types does AMP offer?
We offer rubber bonded pistons (nitrile NBR), urethane bonded pistons, high-temperature urethane bonded pistons, bull nose extreme pistons, and replaceable rubber pistons — in compounds matched to water-based, oil-based, and synthetic mud systems. → Mud Pump Pistons — Complete FAQ
What valve types does AMP offer?
We offer full open valves, 3-web and 4-web valve and seat assemblies, and high-temperature versions of each — with standard steel and carbide-faced seat options. Available for all major OEM pump configurations. → Mud Pump Valves — Complete FAQ
What fluid ends does AMP supply?
We manufacture fluid ends compatible with NOV (7-P-50 through 14-P-220), Gardner Denver (PZ-7 through PZ-11), BOMCO (F-1300, F-1600), EMSCO (F-350 through FB-1600), LEWCO (W-440 through W-2215), Oilwell (A-850-PT through A-1700-PT), IDECO (T-500 through T-1600), and Halliburton (HT-400). Available in Valve-over-Valve and L-Shaped configurations at 7,500 and 10,000 PSI ratings. → Mud Pump Fluid Ends — Complete FAQ
Do you sell shale shaker screens?
Yes. We supply replacement screens for Derrick, Brandt, MI-SWACO, Kemtron, Scomi, and FSI shakers — in PWP and PMD construction, single/dual/triple layer, API 10 through API 400, in SS 304, 316, and 316L. Custom dimensions available. → Shale Shaker Screens — Complete FAQ
Technical Questions
What causes a mud pump to lose pressure?
The most common causes are worn valves (most frequent), worn pistons, worn liners, or inadequate suction fill. Start with valve inspection before pulling liners or pistons. Internal fluid end damage and cavitation are less common but more serious causes. → Mud Pump Troubleshooting Guide
What is cavitation and how does it damage a mud pump?
Cavitation occurs when the pump draws faster than fluid can fill the cylinder, forming vapor bubbles that collapse violently on the pressure stroke. It is the primary cause of fluid end body failure — eroding seat pockets and eventually cracking the block. Causes include low pit level, restricted suction line, worn charge pump, and excessive stroke rate. → Mud Pump Troubleshooting Guide
What is a fluid end and when does it need to be replaced?
The fluid end is the hydraulic block housing the liners, pistons, and valves. It needs replacement when it shows cracks, erosion around seat pockets, worn liner bores, or persistent pressure loss that cannot be resolved by replacing consumable components. → Mud Pump Fluid Ends — Complete FAQ
What is a mud pump power end and what components does it contain?
The power end is the mechanical drive section containing the crankshaft, connecting rods, crossheads, pinion shaft, and main bearings. It converts rotational input into the reciprocating piston motion that drives the fluid end. Key wear items to monitor are the stuffing box packing, crosshead guide clearances, and main bearing condition. → Mud Pump Power End Assembly — Complete FAQ
How do I select the right liner size for my pump?
Liner size determines the pressure/flow trade-off — larger liners deliver more flow at lower pressure, smaller liners deliver less flow at higher pressure. Match the liner size to the target operating point on the pump's liner-to-pressure rating chart. → Mud Pump Liners — Complete FAQ
What is the difference between a piston pump and a plunger pump?
In a piston pump, the sealing element travels with the piston and seals against the liner bore. In a plunger pump, stationary packing seals against the plunger surface. Plunger pumps sustain much higher pressures (up to 22,000+ PSI) and are preferred for clean-fluid injection applications. Piston pumps handle abrasive fluids (drilling mud) better. → Industrial Plunger Pumps — Complete FAQ
What shale shaker screen API designation should I run?
API designation indicates the separation size — higher numbers mean finer filtration. Most standard drilling operations run API 80–140 on primary decks. Higher-abrasion or weighted mud programs may require finer screens; high-flow applications may require coarser screens to prevent blinding. Tighter screens protect downstream pump components from abrasive solids. → Shale Shaker Screens — Complete FAQ
Services
Does AMP perform on-site mud pump overhauls?
Yes. Our technicians perform complete on-site overhauls covering pinion and pinion bearings, main bearings, wrist pin bearings, crosshead and crosshead guides, pony rod, stuffing box, and lubrication system — significantly reducing the downtime and cost of sending a pump to a shop. → Mud Pump Services — Complete FAQ
What is AMP's Preventive Maintenance Program?
A structured inspection and maintenance service designed to prevent major failures and extend component life. Includes scheduled inspection visits, oil sampling and analysis, fluid end wear measurement, and written condition reports with parts planning recommendations. → Mud Pump Services — Complete FAQ
What is AMP's augmented reality (AR) field service support?
AMP uses AR technology to provide real-time remote expert support to field technicians without requiring a specialist on location. The remote expert sees the field through a camera feed and can annotate the live video to guide diagnostics and repairs. Particularly valuable for remote locations where travel time for specialists is measured in days. → Mud Pump Services — Complete FAQ
Does AMP provide mud pump service internationally?
Yes. AMP provides field service and AR-supported remote service to drilling operations worldwide.
Ordering & Contact
Contact our team directly with your pump model, part type, and quantity:
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Phone: (713) 979-0533
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Website: www.americanmudpumps.com
For in-depth technical guides on each topic, see our full FAQ library: