rScotty, how much lift/head are we talking?
Would three of the electric pumps in post 2 work?
No, that type pump just doesn't make enough pressure. Enough of them together would certainly have enough flow rate (gallons per minute), but without the pressure they cannot work a nozzle or sprinkler very well. .
The combination of pressure and flow I'm looking to do takes a minimum of 12 horsepower. With a centrifugal pump running the same speed, the clearance between rotor and case determines if it is a pressure pump made for high PSI, or a bulk flow pump made for high GPM. In the pump trade, those are called either fluid pumps or trash pumps.
Pumps for pressure or for flow rate use the same HP, but apply it in different ways.
Can you buy a PTO pump that would do what you want but then put an hydraulic motor to it instead? Maybe make it so you could either run of a PTO of a tractor or quickly mount the motor and run of the hydraulics of the backhoe.
Sure, that can be done. It's not even difficult. But where is the advantage? For example, most skidsteer powered implements use a hydraulic motor instead of a PTO shaft. And all industrial equipment does.
I think the advantage to the tractor mechanical shaft drive PTO is mostly in the tradition.
I'm surprised that you say electric wouldn't work as well as hydraulic. Head/pressure losses are a problem for long hydraulic runs too.
Personally I'd avoid using hydraulics for potable water in a drilled well as I wouldn't want to contaminate the aquifer if and when there is a hydraulic leak.
Electric works just fine. But compare the size of a 12 hp electric motor to a 12 hp hydraulic.
Anyone can pick up a 12 hp hydraulic motor with one hand. A 12 hp electric is lots bigger, and probably takes a 460 volt 3 phase supply...
For wells, so would I, but how did potable wells get into this thread??
Hello rscotty,
You are looking for a primed conventional trash pump with a basket strainer on the suction line.
A new gasoline powered centrifugal pump with a foot valve on the suction line will do this for you
using longer hoses if you do not want to have the loader bucket close to the water source for much
less money.
I've seen that work. A foot valve means it doesn't need constant priming to restart. I agree that those engne-driven suction pumps are pretty good for the money if they can be mounted right near the surface of the water. But I'm 20 feet above the supply and suction pumps simply loose too much in the lift.
If I had a big V8 engine to drive the pump then I'd use that kind of suction pump and overcome the problems with pure HP. That's what Fire Trucks do when pulling from a pond or pool.
But with limited HP, it works better to push water than to pull on it.
Thanks for the suggestions,
rScotty
