How EV Pump Sourced & Rebuilt Tier 3 Trash Pumps on a 6 Week Deadline

About Charles Holston Inc. (CHI)

This section introduces Charles Holston Inc. (CHI), their role in supporting land-based drilling operations across multiple basins, and why reliable Tier 3 trash pumps are critical for keeping their environmental services and rig support work on schedule.

Who is Charles Holston Inc., and where do they operate?

Charles Holston Inc. (CHI) provides environmental support for land-based drilling operations and has been in business since 1981. They’re fully owned by Omni Environmental Services of Carencro, LA, with an operating footprint that stretches from South Louisiana to East Texas, South Texas, and the Uinta Basin in Utah.

What services does CHI provide?

CHI’s service lineup includes:

• Vacuum truck services

• Tank rentals
• Salt-water transportation and disposal

They’re headquartered in Jennings, LA, but this project was completed for their Uinta Basin team in Utah, supporting rig operations in a remote, demanding environment.

The Challenge

This section explains why CHI needed multiple Tier 3 diesel-driven trash pumps on a tight six-week timeline, the challenge of finding “good used oilfield equipment” that wasn’t worn out, and how price, reliability, and engine simplicity all had to line up for this fluid handling systems project to make sense.

What kind of trash pumps did CHI need—and why was it difficult to find them?

CHI was looking for “good used oilfield trash pumps” with Tier 3 diesel engines, preferably skid mounted. The requirements were clear:

• Tier 3 diesel engines to avoid DEF systems and complex electronics

• Mechanical engines that don’t require OEM software to troubleshoot

• Pricing that made sense compared to buying or building new units

The problem? Good used oilfield equipment is hard to come by. Most trash pump packages in the field have been run hard, run continuously, and driven well past the point where a light refresh will do.

What was the timeline constraint?

CHI needed three trash pump units on the ground in Utah roughly six weeks after the initial purchase orders were cut. The deadline was driven by the operator’s rig schedule; CHI had to be ready to service a rig coming into the operation on August 15, 2025, with no slip room.

Why EV Pump

This section highlights why CHI turned to EV Pump for outsourced service work after other vendors passed—focusing on past success with Omni, trust, and EV Pump’s willingness to take on a high-risk, fast-track trash pump project without cutting corners.

Why did CHI bring EV Pump into the project?

CHI turned to EV Pump after several major national pump players either balked at the compressed timeline or declined to take on the project. EV Pump had a track record with other Omni branches of:

• Taking on “impossible” timelines
• Delivering projects on budget and on time
• Protecting both the operator’s and service provider’s reputation in the field

The decision came down to trust:

• Previous repair work had already proven EV Pump’s capability

• Honesty and integrity in how projects are quoted and managed

• A “can-do” attitude without gimmicks, backed by real shop and field experience

CHI needed a partner who would own the problem, not just write a quote.

The Design & Build Plan

This section explains how EV Pump sourced Tier 3 trash pump packages through auction, overhauled and upsized the fluid ends, and worked with a fabrication partner to deliver skid-mounted units that met CHI’s performance and timeline requirements.

How did EV Pump approach the sourcing and pump repair and rebuild plan?

From day one, the plan was to find Tier 3 trash pump packages that could be rebuilt and upgraded, not just “cleaned up.” EV Pump knew:

• Tier 3 engine packages would eliminate DEF and complex electronics

• Units needed to be set up for skid-mounting—EV Pump could handle any necessary custom machining and fabrication

• Any used units had to be low-hour and worth rebuilding, not worn-out iron

Where did EV Pump find the right trash pump packages?

After reviewing multiple options with 15,000+ hours on them, EV Pump turned to IronPlanet to source three used trash pump packages. All three units featured:

• Perkins diesel engines (Tier 3 mechanical platform)

• 4x4 Pioneer fluid ends on each pump

EV Pump was confident in the Perkins engine platform as a proven, field-tested workhorse and knew the 4x4 fluid ends could be swapped to the 6x6 configuration CHI requested.

What condition were the used trash pumps in when they arrived?

The three units were picked up from two different yards in South Texas. Once inspected, all three pumps:

• Had fewer than 5,000 hours on them

• Were in remarkably good mechanical shape

• Provided a strong base for a full refresh and upgrade

What mechanical work did EV Pump perform?

Back at the shop, EV Pump treated each pump as a full refresh, not a quick flip:

• Changed every wear item on the engines

• Performed test runs on each unit

• Confirmed all three passed performance checks

Once the engines were in spec, the team:

• Swapped each 4x4 fluid end to a 6x6 fluid end to meet CHI’s flow requirements
• Removed the trailer hardware and added fork pockets for skid flexibility 

How did EV Pump handle skid mounting and finishing?

EV Pump partnered with Fab Services of Lafayette, LA to:

• Design and fabricate basic pump mounts and fork pockets for each trash pump package
• Mount the diesel engines and upgraded 6x6 fluid ends
• Complete final paint and finishing so the units looked as good as they ran

All of this, from sourcing to rebuild, fluid-end swaps, skid mounting, and paint, was completed ahead of the deadline CHI provided.

Outcomes

This section covers the final results of the project, three rebuilt trash pumps delivered on time and on budget, ready for service in the Uinta Basin, and how that success strengthened CHI’s confidence in EV Pump for future fleet upgrade and rebuild projects.

What was the final outcome for CHI?

By the time the rig arrived in the Uinta Basin, CHI had three fully refreshed, Tier 3 diesel trash pump units ready to go. The project delivered:

• 3 trash pumps delivered on time and on budget

• All three units looked new and tested strong in operation

• CHI was able to service their operator without delay

• EV Pump closed another complex project successfully and added a proven pattern for future builds

What’s next between EV Pump and CHI?

Based on the success of this project, both teams expect to do more work of this nature in 2026 and beyond. The combination of Tier 3 mechanical engines, rebuilt and upgraded fluid ends, and custom skids and coatings created a repeatable template for field-ready trash pump packages in oilfield service.

Lessons for Other Operators

This section highlights what other operators can learn from the project—how used Tier 3 trash pump packages, smart sourcing, and disciplined rebuilds can beat long lead times, control costs, and still deliver reliable, field-ready equipment when the schedule is tight.

What are the key takeaways from this trash pump project?

A few lessons stand out for operators and service companies facing similar needs:

1. Strategic Used Equipment Can Beat New Lead Times - Buying older used units with solid cores allowed EV Pump to work within CHI’s preferred Tier 3 engine standard while avoiding long lead times on new Tier 4 equipment.

2. Tier 3 Still Has a Place in Today’s Field Operations - For certain applications and regions, Tier 3 mechanical engines simplify support, reduce DEF-related issues, and keep field maintenance straightforward.

3. Auctions Can Be an Asset—If You Know What to Look For - The IronPlanet auction process proved invaluable in sourcing low-hour units and short-circuiting OEM lead times. The key is knowing what platforms are worth rebuilding and what to walk away from.

4. Rebuild + Fabrication = New Life for Old Iron - EV Pump did what it does best: take something old, rebuild it properly, and deliver a unit that looks and performs like new—on a schedule aligned with the rig, not the catalog.

Quick FAQs

EV Pump & Equipment is a leading provider of high-performance fluid handling solutions, specializing in custom pump systems and comprehensive services for industries like oil & gas, petrochemical, and municipal water. With a deep passion for pumps and a commitment to excellence, we deliver reliable, efficient solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of every client. Our hands-on approach and elite equipment ensure that your operations run smoothly and efficiently, every time.