Irrigation system via BX

JimMorrissey · May 6, 2003

All,

I need to irrigate nearly 3/4 acres of new lawn. My well is low flow and it's hard to get that much water from 1,000' below.....I was thinking that I could somehow trailer a large plastic tank down to the river and pump water into the tank. The tanks are fairly cheap and I have a trailer to hold one. I would then pump the water out and hose the area down by hand. My only reservation is that the trailer with that much water will cause some serious soil compaction.

Any ideas on how I could pump the water with the PTO?

Thanks,

Jim

Anonymous Poster · May 6, 2003

With something like this?
Looks like they go down to single digit HP requirements ( No, I'm not slamming the BX /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

Here's another one, with prices. Ouch /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

surfran · May 6, 2003

I don't know how far you have to go down to the river, but I have seen a farmer near us that uses one of these pumps that TOFKAT linked to on one of his larger tractors and pumps to irrigate a field. It must be at least a 200-300 ft elevation up to the field from the pond/stream he uses, so you may want to look at this instead of a tank and hauling. The other concern I would have with hauling any liquid is the sloshing issue with center of gravity. Be very careful if you pursue this route.

daveMT · May 7, 2003

I am in the process of installing an irrigation system at my cabin in MT. The only thing I am using the BX for is to dig the trenches for the pipe. I'm putting in an electric pump to get it out of the river, and then using sprinklers. But mine has to be automated since I'm not there during most of the really dry part of the summer. Have fun, and I'd also be careful trying to drive around with that much liquid, especially up a hill. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Anonymous Poster · May 7, 2003

I'm not sure the bx will safely pull a large tank. 100 gal of water is 700 lbs, a good portion of the machines weight.. Just be careful, if you lose traction that puppy going to go back down the hill real quick. A pto roller pump and hose or pipe up the hill may be the best bet.
DaveL

JimMorrissey · May 8, 2003

Yes, the weight issue is serious. I only have to go less than 1/4 mile and it's flat. But sloshing is a definite concern. Thanks for the input.

-Wish I could find a relatively inexpensive PTO driven pump!

-Jim

sandyc · May 8, 2003

Some food for thought....

1. Use floater tires on the trailer as they provide a wide footprint and won't compact as much.
2. look at Northern Tool's list for pumps.....a small gas driven pump with a 1" to 2" suction hose should be ok for small volumes. Also can valve pump to unload tank as well as load.
3. As noted on other responses, make sure the tank is secure and watch the slosh! I have seen 6,000 gallon tank trucks stop at a light only to be blown thru the intersection when the surge wave hits the front of the tank.....that's a messy scene, especially with hazardous chemicals.

akman · May 8, 2003

Jim,

We are basically in the same situation. Have a 250 gallon water nurse tank on a trailer with a Shurflo 12VDC pump. Works OK, but needed more pressure. I just bought this :

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&langId=-1&catalogId=4006970&PHOTOS=on&TEST=Y&productId=1046&categoryId=1544

from Northern tool. Should make quite a difference reducing water transfer time !

Good Luck,

Tony