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Liberty Pumps P372LE51 Pro370 Sewage Pump System Review

If you need to remove sewage wastewater from a below-grade sewage system, (one where you can’t use a gravity drain line) or pump it to a septic tank, you’re going to need a sewage pump. This is the point where many homeowners, landlords, and small business owners try to save money by getting the cheapest pump possible and installing it as cheaply as possible. But if you’re like us, you’d rather spend a bit more and get the job done right, because time is money and peace of mind. So what are your options?

If you’re looking for a sewage grinder pump, the best we’ve found under $1,000 is the Liberty Pumps PRG101A. If you only need a sewage ejector pump, the Zoeller M267 and Liberty Pumps LE51A are safe bets. But if you’d like an ejector pump boxed into a residential sewage package for a simple, straightforward, and reliable installation, you’ll want something like the Liberty Pumps P372LE51 Sewage Pump System. It’s essentially the LE51A in a pre-assembled package with the goal of making the installation much faster and the durability much longer. Does it work well? We think so. Our full review is below, and you can buy it here.

Key Features of the Liberty Pumps P372LE51 Simplex Sewage System (60 Second Summary)

The Liberty Pumps P372LE51 is a pre-assembled residential sewage ejector package; it can also be used for light commercial applications. It includes the LE51A sewage ejector pump, which includes a 1/2 horsepower electric motor throttled down to a 8,400 gallon per hour maximum pumping rate and a 24 foot maximum head. The package is backed by Liberty Pump’s 3 year warranty. It is 30 inches tall, 20-1/4 inches wide at the base, and  24-1/2 inches across at its widest point. It weighs 64 pounds.

The P372LE51 can pass 2 inch spherical solids and includes thermal protection in the motor. The motor draws 115 volts single phase AC via 12 amps at maximum load; locked rotor amps is reached at 22.5 amps while thermal overload protection kicks in at 221F. It can handle liquids up to 140F and an automatic mechanical wide angle float switch is packaged with the pump. The pump includes a 2 inch FNPT discharge.

The maximum pumping speed of the P372LE51 lower than that of the LE51A by itself; it peaks at 8,400 GPH at zero feet, which scales down to 6,480  GPH at 10 feet, 2,640  GPH at 20 feet, and shuts off at 24 feet at max head.

The primary features of the system include the QuickTree system, through which the float switch can easily be accessed, pulled, and replaced through the top of the basin without affecting the functionality or connections to the pump or plumbing. This is done through a top inspection cover fitted with integrated rubber seals. The pump itself is secured within the 41-gallon basin, which itself is constructed of polyethylene and is 40% larger than standard 18 inch x 30 inch basins in order to improve both pump and switch life by reducing on/off cycles. The system arrives completely assembled and includes a clear plastic overhead cover to protect the system during rough-in and masonry work.

How Does the Liberty Pumps P372LE51 Compare to the Liberty Pumps LE51A, Zoeller M267,  and Liberty Pumps PRG101A?

The biggest difference between the P372LE51 and the LE51A and M267 is that the P372LE51 is a pre-assembled sewage ejector package; instead of just the pump (i.e., the LE51A), the sewage basin is included as well as the QuickTree system to allow removal and replacement of float switches without affecting either the pump or plumbing. The basin is also larger than the typical 18 inch x 30 inch basin, resulting in an up to 40% reduction in both pump and switch cycles and greater life in both components. Installation is simpler due to the integrated pump, discharge, and float switch components. Pumping speeds are slower in the P372LE51 than in the LE51A due to its configuration within the basin, although max head remains the same.

Compared to the PRG101A, the P372LE51A is a faster pump (8,400 GPH vs 2,760 GPH) but its speed, its price, and its integration within the basin are its only advantages. The PRG101A is a superior sewage pump due to its being a grinder pump instead of an ejector pump. It’s not going to get clogged with feminine hygiene products, wipes, napkins, towels, or similar difficult solids. As a grinder, it can handle things that shouldn’t be flushed down toilets but are flushed anyway. If that’s what you need, you don’t want to try to save money with the P372LE51A. You’ll also benefit from a much stronger motor at 1 hp in the PRG101A as well as more than twice the maximum pumping height at 50 feet vs 24 feet.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Liberty Pumps P372LE51 Sewage Package

Installation is relatively straightforward compared to the work needed to set up a typical sewage ejector pump. make sure your excavated hole has at least 8 inches of clearance around the tank, but you’ll also want to make it as small as possible beyond that. You should only use pea gravel or washed and crushed stone to form bedding between the walls of the hole and your basin. You don’t want to use sand or native soil for back fill. And don’t place a lot of pressure or heavy equipment on the backfill material, as you’ll likely collapse the tank.

When connecting your discharge pipe, make sure that the size of the pipe is at least as small as that on the pump, which means at least 2 inches. You might need a larger pipe size to reduce losses due to friction. Remember that you’re also going to need to vent the pump and pipe that vent to either an existing building vent or piped outside on a direct line. It needs to be at least as large as the discharge size. And don’t forget you’ll need a check valve.

In terms of longevity, the design of the P372LE51 should get you significantly more life than you’d get from the LE51A installed by itself; we’d estimate up to 20 years of service will likely be possible, although the specific lifespan you’ll get on your model will naturally depend on a healthy amount of luck. The fact that you can pull the float switch without entering the basin or affecting your pump or plumbing significantly increases its lifespan, as does the larger basin itself by reducing wear on both the pump and your switches.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Liberty Pumps P372LE51 Working Sooner

As with any other sewage ejector pump, your main issues are likely to be related to the pump not running, not stopping, or running without pumping sewage.

If the pump isn’t running, you likely have a power issue (poor voltage or a blown fuse), a stuck switch (because of a physical obstruction in the basin), not enough liquid in the pit to trigger the switch, or a bad switch.

If the pump won’t stop pumping, you’ll either have a stuck switch (due to blockage again) or a defective one.

If the pump runs or makes a humming noise but doesn’t pump sewage, you’ll either have to check for a clogged or blocked discharge, a check valve that’s backwards or closed, a ball  valve or gate valve that’s closed, too much lift for the pump to handle, or a plugged volute casing or jammed pump impeller.

Most of these issues can be fixed on site if you have the right tools and replacement parts, but keep in mind that disassembling the pump itself does void your 3 year warranty.

Liberty Pumps P372LE51 Simplex Sewage System Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, if you’re looking for the one of the easiest “plug and play” sewage ejector pump systems on the market, you’ll have to look far and wide to find something better than the P372LE51. It’s not as fast as the LE51A by itself but it’s going to be more reliable and simpler to install due to its integration with the sewage basin and quick-disconnect float switch. If you’re installing it in a residential or commercial environment where people only flush human solids down toilets, it will likely give you up to 20 years of trouble-free service. On the other hand, if you need to manage a home, office, or business environment with a significant risk of trash and feminine hygiene products being flushed, or if you simply can’t have downtime in your sewage system, you’ll be better off upgrading to a grinder-based pump like the PRG101A. Ultimately, your clientèle, budget, and risk tolerance will determine the best answer.

You can buy the Liberty Pumps P372LE51 here on Amazon. You can buy the Liberty Pumps LE51A here. You can buy the Liberty Pumps PRG101A here.   You can buy the Zoeller M267 here. You can buy a good wet / dry vacuum here. You can buy a silent 2 inch  check valve here. You can buy a 2 inch brass ball valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can put our relentless reviewing of every pump and fixture on the market to the test by shopping via our links above for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.

Liberty Pumps LE41A LE40-Series Submersible Automatic Sewage Ejector Pump Review and LE51A Comparison

When it comes to sewage pumps, it can be tempting to try to spend as little as possible in order to offset the money you’ll spend on installation costs. But we’ve spent enough time in sewage pits and around septic tanks to regret every dollar we’ve ever tried to save by buying unreliable sewage pumps. To be frank, if you have a family or tenants who can’t tell the garbage can from the toilet, you need a grinder pump instead of a basic ejector pump. If, on the other hand, the people in your home or the people who rent your properties only use drains to flush human waste, then you’ll be able to get by with a regular sewage pump. In either case, you don’t want something you’ll find in your local big box store. There’s too much at stake.

Let’s say you want a sewage grinder pump. The Liberty Pumps PRG101A costs under a grand and will keep your sewage system from clogging no matter what’s thrown in it for a good 15-25 years. But if you’re sure you don’t need a grinder and just need to pass solids with reliability, you can save a lot of money. There’s the Zoeller M267, which is one of the most trusted ejectors out there, as well as the Liberty Pumps LE51A. Today we’re going to examine the LE51A’s little sibling, the Liberty Pumps LE41A Submersible Automatic Sewage Pump. To summarize our review, it’s not nearly as reliable as the LE51A due to faulty float switches, and we’d recommend getting that instead. That said, you can buy the LE41 here.

Key Features of the Liberty Pumps LE41A Sewage Ejector Pump (60 Second Summary)

The Liberty Pumps LE41A is an automatic submersible sewage ejector pump aimed at residential (household) applications. It’s not designed to be used in commercial (business) environments (unlike the LE51A). It includes a 4/10 horsepower electric motor, a 8,700 gallon per hour maximum flow rate, a 20 feet maximum pumping height, and Liberty Pumps’ 3 year warranty. It stands 13.8 inches high, is 7.5 inches wide, and 10.9 inches long. The LE41A weighs 40 pounds and has a motor housed in class 25 cast iron.

the LE41A features a polymer impeller that can handle 2 inch spherical solids. It includes an oil filled, thermally protected motor . The motor takes 115 volts single phase AC with a maximum amp draw of 12 amps and locked rotor amps at 22.5. Thermal overload protection kicks in at 221F. A 10-foot quick disconnect power cord comes with the LE41A by default; the LE41A-2 is identical in every way besides substituting a 25-foot power cord. The pump can handle liquids at up to 140F and includes an automatic mechanical wide angle float switch and piggyback plug. It includes a 2 inch FNPT discharge.

The maximum pumping speed of 8,700 GPH at zero feet scales down to 6,000 GPH at 10 feet with shutoff and max head occurring at 20 feet.

How Does the Liberty Pumps LE41A Compare to the Zoeller M267, Liberty Pumps LE51A, and PRG101A?

The LE41A is faster than the M267 (8,700 GPH vs 7,680 GPH) but slower than the LE51A (which tops out at 9,600 GPH). It has a lower max head than both (21.5 feet and 24 feet respectively). Warranty coverage is the same as both at 3 years, as is solids-passing capability at 2 inches. The LE41A is underpowered compared to both at 4/10 horsepower vs 1/2 horsepower and also has a significantly poorer reputation for long term reliability due to a poor float switch design; we’d expect a lifespan of 5-10 years for the LE41A vs up to 15 years for the LE41A and up to 20 years for the M267. Given the small price difference between the three pumps, we’d recommend the M267 or LE51A over the LE41A whenever possible.

Compared to the Liberty Pumps PRG101A, the sole advantages of the LE41A are pumping speed (8,700 GPH vs 2,760 GPH) and price. In every other category, the PRG101A is easily the superior sewage pump. As a grinder pump, it’s designed to handle all kinds of difficult solids (feminine hygiene products, towels, rags, wipes, and more) that would choke or clog the LE41A or any other sewage ejector pump, including the LE51A and M267. If you’re serious about keeping your sewage system running no matter what family members, tenants, or employees and customers flush down it, you don’t want an ejector pump–you need a grinder pump.

Our Short and Long Term Experiences Installing and Using the Liberty Pumps LE41A Ejector Pump

Installing the LE41A is pretty much the same as the process for any other sewage ejector pump–potentially more complex than a sump pump installation due to the location, but not impossible. If you hire a plumber, of course, it’ll be faster, though more expensive. If you’ve got experience with sewage pumps or know someone who does, you’ll be able to get through it; there aren’t any ugly surprises to be aware of. Just make sure you have all of your accessories and extras on hand before you start; you don’t want to stop in the middle of a project because you’ve broken a coupling and don’t have any spares and the hardware store is closed for the night. As usual with sewage jobs, it would be smart to buy and use a good wet / dry vacuum to keep things as clean as possible.

Once installed, we wish we could say you could expect decades of life from the LE41A, but we’ve seen or heard about enough failed pumps to have trouble trusting this model for longevity. The most common issue we seem to see is the float switch getting suck, whether in the on or in the off position; we’ve got guides for dealing with that below, but you’re not going to want to keep going into the pit to fix this every few years. We’d recommend just buying the LE51A instead if you want the same pump with better reliability. Alternatively, the most reliable ejector we’ve found is still the M267, while the most reliable sewage pumps overall won’t be ejectors but grinders, and the PRG101A is the best under a grand you’ll find.

Troubleshooting and Installation Tips to Get Your Liberty Pumps LE41A Working Sooner

When installing the LE41A, the main issues to watch out for are the pump itself not running once installed or its counter, the pump refusing to turn off.

If it doesn’t run, you’ve got one of four issues: poor power, poor liquid levels, a stuck switch, or a bad switch. For power, make sure you’ve got good voltage and that you don’t have a blown fuse. For liquids, make sure there’s enough in the pit to actually trigger the switch. For a stuck switch, make sure there’s nothing blocking the switch from moving through its full range of motion. And for a bad switch, you’ll simply have to pull it and replace it.

If the pump doesn’t turn off, your issues are much simpler: your switch will either be stuck in the open position due to being blocked by something in the pit, or the switch itself will be defective and need pulling.

Liberty Pumps LE41A Sewage Pump Pros, Cons, and Value Comparison

In conclusion, while the LE41A is one of the cheaper “serious” sump ejector pumps on the market, we can’t recommend it in good faith when it falls so close in price to the Zoeller M267 and Liberty Pumps LE51A, both of which are far superior sewage pumps in the $300 price range. Both of those pumps can be used in both residential and light commercial applications, while we’d be hesitant to use the LE41A in anything but single-family home setups. That said, if you’re looking for rock solid reliability and manage a home or business with a high risk of tough solids like sanitary wipes or feminine hygiene products being flushed down toilets and drains, you’d be better off bypassing the M267 and LE51A and upgrading to a dedicated sewage grinder pump like the PRG101A. The cost of doing so will be significantly cheaper than even one emergency plumber call and replacement ejector pump.

You can buy the Liberty Pumps LE41A here on Amazon or the LE41A-2 with a 25-foot cord here. You can buy the Liberty Pumps LE51A here. You can buy the Liberty Pumps PRG101A here.   You can buy the Zoeller M267 here. You can buy a good wet / dry vacuum here. You can buy a silent 2 inch  check valve here.

If you find our work at PumpThatSump helpful, you can support our relentless reviewing of every sump pump on the market by shopping via our Amazon link for whatever you need to make your house a home. Despite being self-employed, we promise not to spend it all on health insurance.