Irrirgation Pump

farm23 · Jan 2, 2007

I have planted 50 sourwood trees for my bees and have a large garden. This summer I will need to irrigate the garden and probably water the trees. Using the well pump is not an option. I have stream near by I can use as a water source.

Terry at PT says the sump pump will do a good job, but does not have a pump curve. The output of up to 400 gpm is way too much as I need only 20 to 40 gpm. The 400 gpm is at max rpm and lower rpm will reduce the output but I have no idea what it will be. The stream is some 150' from the garden and there will a large pressure drop in the piping but how much this will reduce the output I do not know.

Does anyone have experience with this pump or know of another source?

MossRoad · Jan 2, 2007

Put a large plastic water tank on the highest point in your garden. Then use the PT to fill the tank. Let a drip system irrigate the garden from the tank water.

farm23 · Jan 2, 2007

Moss that is a good suggestion. I would have to make the structure substantial since we often get high winds. The gust here last might were 55 to 60 mph.

caver · Jan 2, 2007

Is a hydraulic ram pump a viable option?

farm23 · Jan 2, 2007

Caver, I donot have enough fall in the stream for a ram pump to be effective. That was my 1st thought so I think I am stuck with some sort of mechanical pump. A hydraulic pump seems like the best route. I have looked for a hydraulic pump other than the PT but no luck in finding one so far.

KentT · Jan 2, 2007

farm23 said:
Caver, I donot have enough fall in the stream for a ram pump to be effective. That was my 1st thought so I think I am stuck with some sort of mechanical pump. A hydraulic pump seems like the best route. I have looked for a hydraulic pump other than the PT but no luck in finding one so far.

You can buy a "semi-trash" pump for about $300-$400 that has its own engine and use the PT to carry it to the stream. I did that for my wood-chipper needs, since I couldn't find an affordable hydraulic setup...

Just an alternative way of skinning the cat...

The ONE thing I'm holding out for is a hydraulic winch -- they don't overheat like an electric one will, and the PTs electrical system isn't high enough output to really power an electric one, anyway...

BAGTIC · Jan 3, 2007

How much fall do you have?
How much head do you need?

A ram only needs 2.5-3 ft head to pump water to a couple hundred feet. Don't worry about capacity. If you use drip lines any shortage in flow rates will be compensated for by longer running times.

Last year I plant 150+ fruit and nut trees and a 5 gpm flow rate is far more than sufficient when using 1/2 gallon per hour emitters.

J_J · Mar 13, 2007

farm23 said:
I have planted 50 sourwood trees for my bees and have a large garden. This summer I will need to irrigate the garden and probably water the trees. Using the well pump is not an option. I have stream near by I can use as a water source.

Terry at PT says the sump pump will do a good job, but does not have a pump curve. The output of up to 400 gpm is way too much as I need only 20 to 40 gpm. The 400 gpm is at max rpm and lower rpm will reduce the output but I have no idea what it will be. The stream is some 150' from the garden and there will a large pressure drop in the piping but how much this will reduce the output I do not know.

Does anyone have experience with this pump or know of another source?

I see that you planted some sour wood trees for your bees. I tried to find some sour wood honey here in Florida, but never did find any. I like the sour wood honey, and when and if you get a batch of sour wood honey, I would appreciate the chance to purchase some from you. Right now, I am using wildflower, and orange blossom honey. I use it in my coffee, and it also makes excellent honey and peanut butter sandwiches.