Pump suggestion for burns ?

[bcarwell]

Hi all,
I need to burn some brush. Even though we've had a monsoon here in Central Texas I want to be safe and have some emergency dousing capability in case some grass catches, etc.
Could you all suggest an appropriate water pump I could use with my 500 gallon tank I'm putting on my trailer to have a mini fire engine ?
Specifics would be very helpful, e.g. source (Harbor Freight, etc.), model/make, ballpark psi and flow rate range that would make sense for this application, and approximate hose size and where to find, etc.
I could either run it off a portable generator or a PTO generator.
Alternatively, could I use a PTO pump ? Would it have a sufficient flow rate and pressure ?
Thanks.

Bob

 

[Renze]

Few years ago we had a huge fire. It's kind of a tradition in Holland, to burn brush to celebrate easter. I dont know its origin, but i guess it's hedon

Anyways, that huge fire was from a few trailers of green branches, plus 3 farm wagons of wooden pallets, 2 of my friends at that time worked for agricultural dealerships, and they donated 3 farm wagons of wood from crates in which they get new machinery and lawn mowers etcetera.

the flames went higher than some 40 year old oaks, and we used a 6 m3 manure tanker as a water bowser, just in case the manure heap would join in.
You probably dont have a manure tanker on hands, but when there is a brush fire in my area, all local contractors and farmers are called in with manure tankers to supply the firemen with LOTS of water into the bush.

 

[tlbuser]

Might want to look at this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/68770-tc24d-fire-rig-class-7-a.html

 

[Pompiere]

I would probably opt for the pto pump or a small gas powered pump to get enough capacity. Most fire nozzles are made to operate at 60-100 psi at the nozzle. Our brush fire truck has a 1 inch hose reel with a 30 gpm nozzle. Grass is not especially difficult to put out, so you could use a smaller nozzle, maybe 10-15 gpm. Lowes has a garden hose nozzle that looks like a small fire nozzle that with a good pump and a 3/4" hose would probably work pretty well. Just remember that 500 gallons doesn't last a long time, so get the fire department coming right away if things are getting out of hand.

 

[ToadHill]

Before I burn I always plow up a circle with 3 or 4 passes of a 1 bottom plow about 4 ft. around the area I'll burn in. It keeps any fire from spreading beyond the plowed area.

 

[svcguy]

I would suggest a Honda gas powered WH15X pressure pump or equiv. These small, efficient pumps are ideal for your application. They push up to 100 US gallons a minute, but handle small water at idle +. We mount them on initial attack vehicles with 200 gallon tanks. With a 5/8 inch econoline, they move enough water for what you want, but with a 1.5 inch line could be used 100 feet back for safety. They move little or alot of water as needed. They now make affordable copies of this unit from China. While not a Honda, I have several and we have been impressed with them.

Your idea of a trailer mount is wise, the only tractor mounted system I have been impressed with are the Mercedes Benz MB systems, a bit high brow for us Yanmar fans.

Tom
Structural Protection Specialist
Office of the Fire Commissioner
British Columbia

 

[tamarack]

I have two of the following pumps that I bought for fire protection at our cabins and they are great. They put these on sale from time to time. If you join their hotline club the freight is free on items in their hotline catalogs. I just purchased my second one of these and it turns out that they have a current hotline catalog that expires at the end of today and the pump is in that catalog for $429. I have attached a link to this particular pump. Good luck.

NorthStar High-Pressure Water Pump — 7920, GPH, 4 HP, 2in., Model# SEM-50V | Gas Powered Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[bcarwell]

Thanks guys for alot of terrific information.

One other alternative I may not have mentioned is a PTO generator running an electric pump. Any specific electric pump models come to mind which would do the job (pressure/volume) roughly as well as the gasoline ones suggested ?

And not to worry, I was an ex-volunteer fire chief and will trench, call the VFD here, wait for no wind, etc. With the rain we've been getting in Central Texas I may have trouble even getting anything burning (actually just changed, with 100 degree weather now...).

Bob

 

[texbaylea]

Farmer Bob
I just read the guidelines for burning here in Brazos county and they say wind: greater than 6 miles per hour and less than 22 miles per hour.

Do you have an idea why they would set a minium wind speed?

Vernon

 

[crbr]

When I burn, I call the county fire dept a week or two ahead. They are always willing to make a run with the pumper truck to stand by.