Irrigation with pumps

[HRS]

Now this is a subject that I know nothing about. However, I'd like to try. There is a creek that runs maybe a hundred yards from my corn patch. This garden itself is narrow, stretches maybe a hundred yards also. I'd like to move some of this free running water to where it could be of some use. I would not need to irrigate all that much. I've noticed over the past couple of years that the rains hold off just as the corn is trying to make. Providing a little drink during this week or two would probably be enough for me. So what is the best way to do this on a small scale? I've looked at the pumps sold at TSC. One particular unit is a Pacer and is mounted to a Briggs 5.5 hp engine. They also have another called a Red Lion. Each come with different engines, specs. Has anyone tried these? How far will they move water? What number of heads have you been able to push with them? Etc. This is mostly a horizontal push.

 

[hbarski]

I spent $145 on a pump from Harbor Freight. It was their $249 Pump that was on sale for $195, and I used a 20% off coupon on top of that. To me, it was comparable to what TSC had. I knew the China engine was questionable, but for the money, it was a steal. I use it for irrigation and a portable fire hose. With the right size flexible hoses, it should fit the ticket. I will try to get a picture of Pop posted using it to water my bermuda seed.

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Pretty good for the money, I would do it again, that is on sale and with a coupon. With the money you would save, you could spend it on hoses and PVC plumbing. I have used mine to go up hill and it has plenty of volume and force.

 

[DUMBDOG]

The first thing that should be checked out is permit requirements for accessing the free flowing stream. We water from wells but the principle should be the same for accessing the stream. 40 pound of pressure should be obtained to run a sprinkler head, the more the better. Do a web search on garden watering and you will get all kinds of hits.

 

[redlevel]

HRS, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. How deep is the creek? It takes a pretty good hole to keep a pump from "breaking suction", especially when you first start up and are filling the pipe. You need to check the specs on whatever pump you buy to make sure you will have sufficient volume and pressure when it gets to the garden. Some pumps will have plenty of volume, but not provide enough pressure to use a sprinkler head. You have to figure for friction loss through whatever kind of pipe you use. You have to be careful about stopping your suction hose up with debris when pumping from a creek or a pond.

As you might have guessed, I have been pumping water from wells, creeks, ponds, and just plain holes in the ground for going on 50 years now. In Georgia, too. Where are you located?

If you want to pm me, or just ask here as far as that goes, I'll be glad to give you whatever advice I have. I would just as soon not plant a garden if I couldn't irrigate it. Especially corn.

Mark

 

[EddieWalker]

Do you want to use sprinklers or flood ditches?

Flooding ditches would be better in my opinion because you wouldn't have to worry about preasure. Just get water to the highest point and let gravity do the rest. Smaller pump, less money, easier to set up.

The pumps at Harbor Freight are what got me started in pumping water from my creek. I saw how affordable they were and started looking around for other pumps. For me, I bought a 6.5 hp pump with 3 inch lines on ebay for $239 including shipping. Nobody else had anything close to that. It's from a company in Georgia I think, or at least in that part of the country, called Eastern Tool Company, or ETQ.

The hoses are kind of pricey. The ones I found on Ebay were priced pretty good, but the shipping killed those deals. I bought mine from Northern Tool.

Since you'll be pumping from a creek, you'll need a trash pump or semi-trash pump. You just don't know what you'll be sucking into your pump, so you will need a pump that can handle small particles of debri.

Also be sure you buy a pump that has standard US pipe threads. Some come in metric threads and it might be dificult finding hoses to fit them. I don't know as I didn't want to mess with metric fittings.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[turnkey4099]

Since you'll be pumping from a creek, you'll need a trash pump or semi-trash pump. You just don't know what you'll be sucking into your pump, so you will need a pump that can handle small particles of debri.


Good luck,
Eddie

Most trash or semi-trash pumps put out volume, not pressure. Good for flood irrigation but not for sprinklers. I watered for years out of a creek and fixed the trash problem by simply wrapping a piece of window screening (fibeglass) around the foot valve.

When researching pumps, you will run into some (or most) rated as "head". To convert 'head' to pressure it is .46 psi per foot but don't forget to include plumbing friction.

Harry K

 

[HRS]

hbarski, love the picture! With that kind of volume I could just hose down the field. Now I'm really interested.

Eddie, good point. I see how I could easily flood the rows, or between them. There is always more than one way. I like that.

Redlevel, not far from you. I'll pm.

Dumbdog, water rights are not a problem. Springs, streams, and pond is on property. It is quite blessed with water. Such a shame to watch a crop burn up when water is flowing on three sides of it.

Turnkey, I saw what you are speaking of. The one I looked at was near 90 THP at something like 46 psi, say. I read that as meaning that the pump could pump its volume of water (2 inches) up 90 feet while maintaining this pressure. Not sure if I'm even close here. But once I decress diameter of pipe, install head (one if need be) it seems that the pressure should be maintained for quite a distance. I'll call manufactures soon.

 

[hbarski]

I just got a new flyer from Harbor Freight and that pump is $199. There is a 15% off coupon on the back so take another $30 makes it s good deal at $169, IMHO.

 

[turnkey4099]

Turnkey, I saw what you are speaking of. The one I looked at was near 90 THP at something like 46 psi, say. I read that as meaning that the pump could pump its volume of water (2 inches) up 90 feet while maintaining this pressure. Not sure if I'm even close here. But once I decress diameter of pipe, install head (one if need be) it seems that the pressure should be maintained for quite a distance. I'll call manufactures soon.

Well, not sure. You lost me on the "THP". If they are quoting 90 ft 'head' that would be a 2" stream that would rise 90ft but at near zero pressure up there. If they are quoting 90 ft and 46 psi I would also take it as 46psi at 90ft but I would check before buying.

Harry K

 

[HRS]

Thanks. I managed to call Pacer pumps today. The guy I spoke with was quite helpful. After telling him what I wanted to do, he gave me the pump that should do the job. Did not have a chance to go and check at TSC today, but I think that I saw the one he was speaking of. It is mounted to a 5.5 Briggs Inteck, or a slightly smaller Honda. I've never had a problem with Briggs, so I'll probably go for the greater HP if I choose this pump.

Also, I called the other company. They were also helpful, but I guess I did not make it clear enough that I'm playing in a garden. This person sent me here and that one there. When I finally got the "guy" who could really help, he wanted me to get a contractor to come up with a plan. Good grief! I have no intention of spending $10K on an irrigation system.

hbarski, that does sound like a great deal. These that I'm looking at are closer to $400.