Irrigation pump selection

rogerius · Jan 7, 2012

I've got a "small" orchard of apples and plumbs which I wish to extend in this spring. The inconvenience which I have is the water location, so I'm planning to buy a Honda pump to resolve this. The advice which I need is if the HONDA WB20 is big enough to suck the water from the creek and push to irrigate my orchard on the hill. I attached a picture with location of the orchard relative to the creek and proposed location of the pump. I'm thinking to place the pump there because as per spec the pump suction head lift is 26ft so the pump will be located at around 20ft from creek level. The orchard is on the hill and the highest point of the orchard is at 40ft from the pump. As per pump spec the total head of the pump is 92ft so I'm in the spec with my total 60 ft elevation. The problem is the distance from pump to creek (350ft) and from pump to the farther point (330ft). Do you have a feeling if this pump will be power enough to compensate the hydraulic losses in the hoses? Any advice?
Any input is appreciated.
Thanks

hosspuller · Jan 7, 2012

I doubt this pump will serve you well installed as you describe.

The max head this pump will generate is 40 PSi or about 90 feet of head. That means the pump output at the end of the line will be a small trickle of water. You'll need more pressure if you're trying to spray the water. Or you'll have to figure on a small volume gravity flowing to the trees. Try to get a "pump curve" chart for this pump. it'll tell you how many gallons you can expect for your situation.

Also, the suction of 20 feet will hurt your output. It is better to get a positive suction head to the pump. Place the pump in a pit below the stream level. Or close to the stream level

crbr · Jan 8, 2012

good thread. Thanks for the picture

MikeInEburg · Jan 8, 2012

I agree that this pump isn't quite right. High head and low flow is how I'd go. The pump should be as close to the water source as possible as every pump is better at pushing than pulling water.
Mike

rogerius · Jan 8, 2012

I found an application on internet which calculates the pressure loss in PVC pipes. Seems on 330ft length pipe the lost will be over 40PSI, so no water on other side of the hose based on this setup.
I read some other posts on the forum which give me an idea of using couple tanks to bring the water on the hill = fill up one tank from another up to the hill. The con. is that I have to move the pump all the time. Already I found some square poly tanks in the cage (125Gallons) for 100$ each so maybe this is the way to go.
Thanks anyhow for your inputs.

rogerius · Feb 11, 2012

One of the members asked me if I have any updates in this irrigation project. So the options are:
- stationary system: use 3 tanks 250 gallons each at 250ft apart with 2" PVC pipes between and move the pump from one to other to fill up the tanks. I need aprox. 13min to fill up one tank; total cost around 2000$. Disadvantage: - carry the pump up the hill (46lbs), in the winter need to move the tanks inside, animals can damage the system and expensive.
- mobile system: use and old trailer and install one tank and the pump on it. Use the tractor to move the trailer from the creek up to the hill. I need couple minutes to fill up the tank. Disadvantage: tractor hours and fuel, but the tractor is made for this.

So the decision = mobile system. I'm looking for an old trailer.

See below the info.

Kays Supply · Feb 12, 2012

Would it be possible to use a generator to power a submersible electric pump? That would give you many more options as far as pressure vs volume than a gas powered unit. You could use one pump in the water and not have to use tanks and all the other complications. It is easier to control with timers, low water cutoffs, etc.