Zoeller M63 Premium Series 5 Year Warranty Mighty-Mate Submersible Sump Pump, 1/3 Hp

8/21 update - bought another 63 for a different location. Great pump!Original review -I've used Zoeller pumps for decades, never had an "early" failure. They used to last 15 years, now it's 5-7 years for the 5 year warranty version of this M63. I've had the 3 year warranty M53 last 5 years, but I change my pumps very 5 years.What separates this model M63 Zoeller pump from the less expensive and same HP Zoeller M53 pump is the upgraded float switch, the cast iron impeller and base (The M53 has a plastic impeller and base) and the Polypropylene Float Operated Vertical Float Switch w/ Viton® Switch Boot in the M63. The M53 has a lower grade switch and boot compared to the M63, hence the 3 year warranty for the M53 versus 5 years for his M63 pump.Pro:-5 year warranty-Solid cast iron body, base and impeller. The impeller will not crack or break as easily if it picks up sediment or small stones versus the M53-Solid polypropylene float-Lighted plug-Stainless hardware, handle and float rodCon:-Zoeller pumps used to last 10-15 years. Today, they pretty much hit in the warranty specification - 5 to 7 years for this pump. I've had M53's last 5 years. I guess Zoeller makes a lot more money selling pumps this way-Regardless of warranty, ALWAYS have a spare pump ready to go because a warranty is what's printed on the box, not what can really happen.-The Achilles heel of any sump pump is the pump switch/float set up. Either the switch wears out or the seal leaks and shorts the switch. I tried the LevelGuard switches and they are also 5 year wonders and they cost and extra $100+. I just replaced an N53 pump with a LevelGuard switch that lasted 5 years with an N63.I always have a spare M63 plumbed with the glued up 1 1/2 inch outlet pipe ready to attach to the Zoeller back flow valve. That allows me to remove the gear clamp from the back flow valve and snap in the new pump in 15 minutes in an emergency. I also have a sump alarm hooked into my alarm system that notifies if the water goes above the pump head and a whole house automatic generator so I don't have to screw with semi-lame and pricey battery back up sumps.Whenever I change out a sump pump, I print out an installation date label and attach it to the power cord at eye level so can see when its time for a pump change out.It's important to drill the 3/16" hole in the outflow pipe just at the head of the pump to prevent fluid lock. If you DON'T drill that hole, an air pocket can form around the impeller and the pump will run endlessly without pumping any water and the pump will overheat and burn out and risk a flood.Also be SURE to drill the 3/16 hole at a 45 degree angle pointed DOWN into the sump well. If you drill it at 90 degrees or point it up even a little bit, water will spray all over your cover and onto the floor. This little detail is NOT in the Zoeller install instructions and the part about the 45 degree down angle is buried in a product installation video on their website. Hope that helps!

We have a good size pond on property that fills daily. If not regulated it will flood create swamp/mosquito prob. Bought the basin/pump/kit with valve assembly. Ran 200ft of 2inch PVC from pump underground out to creek. Works perfectly. Estimate the pump runs for 20-30min 4-5 times per day keeping pond level where it needs to be. 2yrs running strong, all seasons. Only one blockage in that time, small stick over 4inch got past valve, simple fix 5 mins.Excellent product well worth the extra $ over a cheapo from harbor freight.

So I had this M63 installed by a plumber on a Zoeller stand. The amount of money difference between the M53 and the M63 is fairly small when you see what you get when you step up to the M63. Our sump pump runs twice a day during dry periods and once an hour during wetter periods. I was completely impressed with the quality of the pump. It replaced a 10 year old Little Giant. This Zoeller is super quiet and quick. I also had the plumber replace the one way valve on the discharge side even though he initially said it probably didn't to be replaced. Turns out it need to be replaced and was slowly letting water back into the sump pump basin which of course would cause the pump to run more often. Also replaced the GFI circuit because it had popped a few times and while I thought it was a pump problem I think it was the outlet itself. After my experience I would recommend replacing the one way valve any time you change the pump. Also that GFI circuit was something I felt comfortable doing myself and after I did that the circuit never popped again with the old pump but by that time we had the new pump on the way and just went through with the installation. Also our sump pump basin does get a small amount of sentiment and placing the M63 on the plastic Zoeller stand raised the pump two inches. Now after a few weeks the water in the basin looks cleaner because the sentiment isn't being stirred up every time the pump runs. The quality of the finish on this pump was impressive to me..you don't see that many products that well built. So far it is flawless and really hard to know when it runs because it is so quiet. Several times at the beginning I would pour some water in just to see it run. The old pump and valve were noisy enough you could be aware of when they operated. In my installation this pump has raise the water 14 feet vertically before it can go horizontal. Not a problem and its interesting how fast it moves water compared to the old pump.

I had a zoeller m53 installed (chosen by the professional basement system people) when my crawl space was encapsulated 10 years ago. I noticed its gfi recently tripped twice, I reset it and seemed ok for a day. Turns out the pump was running constantly. It was ignoring the float switch. I temporarily put a Kasa WiFi switch on the pump and controlled the pump manually and with the Kasa timer function. I could see the pump water output outside and put a WiFi camera on it for when I was away. I read reviews and found the m63 was a better version. Installations major challenge was keeping the pit dry enough to change pumps. I used a hard to prime pump to eventually empty the pit of the ground water constantly coming in plus the large amount of water released when the detached check valve emptied the piping. Fortunately the stand and discharge fittings transferred to the m63 after a small fight with the corroded screw clamps. Buttoned everything up, the m63 works perfectly. I might see if I can replace the float switch on the m53 and keep it for a just in case spare. If you need a pump, spend the small amount extra and get the m63, it has a better float switch and tougher metal impeller. Weighs a lot more too. The photo is the old m53 pump in the sump.