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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Irrigation pump info

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  • From: Willie McKemie <mf AT austinfarm.org>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Irrigation pump info
  • Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2005 14:21:20 -0500

On Mon, Aug 01, 2005 at 02:03:40PM -0400, Willfindley AT aol.com wrote:
> Greetings, List,
> I'm looking for information on equipment required for pumping water from a
> small stream that runs through our property. There are no legal problems
> in
> taking the water. Would like to drip-irrigate about 2 acres. The stream is
> just
> a leetle thing usually, but it changes to a pretty strong stream with
> each
> passing storm here in west-central AL, rising several feet. It does have a
> current all year long, though it drops to a very low level in dead summer
> for a
> few weeks. Need to lift the water about 10-15 feet and pipe it about 100
> feet through some woods to the field. I assume I'll need a filter (pretty
> sandy
> creek-bottom) and a storage tank. I plan on talking to the guys at
> Irrigation-mart eventually, but would appreciate any pointers from y'all
> before I go
> there, as far as brands, experiences both good and bad, etc.
> Yipes, gotta go till the beans before those dark clouds get here.
> Thanks a lot,

Most pumps should do that lift, but getting them primed may be a
problem. I have a friend that used river water by dropping a
submersible in a pool. For reliability, probably Grundfos is the way
to go. For cheap, you might check Harbor Freight. I bought a couple
of Harbor Freight pumps recently:
1) a pressure pump (pressure switch and small hydraulic buffer built
in) for $80. As I recall, about 3/4hp and about 8gpm into about 40psi.
2) a "clear water" pump for about $24(!); no pressure switch, no
buffer. Supposed to be 1/2 hp, but it doesn't look that big. I've
used it to transfer rain water from one tank to another.

I do recommend Irrigation Mart for both product and advice.

In long term really dry conditions, you might need 5gpm per acre around
the clock, though you can do a lot of good with less.

--
Willie, ONWARD! Through the fog!
http://counter.li.org Linux registered user #228836 since 1995
Linux system uptime 400 days 2 hours 12 minutes




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