For an efficient irrigation system, it is important to select the correct equipment and supplies for irrigation pumps. A main component in an irrigation system is the actual pump. Water irrigation pumps commonly utilized in a system include centrifugal, submersible, turbine, displacement and jet pumps. Some of these pumps can be either diesel or electric irrigation pumps.

Irrigation pump suppliers can offer different kind of accessories, irrigation equipment and supplies. Some accessories and piping systems supplies that may be necessary for a system are suction lines, hoses, strainers, foot valves, pipe fittings and couplers. Whether you are looking for water sprinkler pumps, industrial irrigation pumps or agricultural water pumps, it is essential to make a proper selection of equipment and supplies.

Before buying components and supplies for irrigation pumps, some option you should review are:

1. Look at the application requirements to determine the type of irrigation pump you require for an irrigation system.

2. Choose irrigation pump suppliers that have good range of accessories and supplies.

3. Find replacement components for irrigation water pumps.

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Select the correct water pump for irrigation applications

For industrial and agricultural application, there are many types of irrigation pumps (submersible, displacement, centrifugal, turbine, etc.). In general, most water pumps for irrigation are centrifugal pumps. Centrifugal pumps are suitable to pump water from sources such as streams, wells or as booster pumps. Turbine pumps are a type of centrifugal pump that are typically for use on farms. Displacement pumps are well suited for agricultural applications. The choice of either a fuel or an electric powered pump is also important.

I recommend: Rain Bird is a manufacturer of irrigation products that include different types of irrigation pumps, pump stations and supplies. At PumpBiz.com, there are Monarch centrifugal pumps available as gas engine driven, electric and diesel powered units for applications such as agriculture, irrigation and industrial.

Get accessories and supplies for an irrigation pump

Irrigation pumps may require accessories or supplies to function properly. There are accessories for the pump, piping system and other irrigation equipment. When you may need, different types of valves, gauges, couplers/suction elbows, pipe fittings or strainers for an irrigation pump and system, you should look for vendors that can meet all your business needs. Suppliers that carry an extensive assortment of pump accessories or supplies can safe you time and money.

I recommend: ATS Irrigation has pump products as sprinkler pumps and different accessories for pump hoses and piping systems. Pump accessories include strainers, foot valve, adapters and couplers. For a good selection of more pump accessories, go to Morrill-Industries.

Buy components for irrigation water pumps

Keeping pump replacement components on hand is a good idea. It can minimize any downtime in a system's operation. Many pump suppliers carry parts like impellers, shaft sleeves, wear rings, bearing assemblies, lubricants and mechanical seal kits.

I recommend: At Pump Components, you can search for pump parts by item description, model, manufacturer and OEM number. Some parts available are different types of impellers, bearing assemblies, wear rings and seals. Dean Bennett Supply offers sprinkler pump parts like diffusers and mounting rings.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For irrigation water pumps, there are many commonly used terms like total dynamic head and total static head. The total static head is the measure of the distance a pump can raise the water from one point to another.

The majority of pumps for irrigation are centrifugal pumps, which use centrifugal force to move the water through a sprinkler pump. Multi-stage pumps for irrigation force water through more than one impeller and casing to increase water pressure along the irrigation route. Common types of centrifugal irrigation pumps include end-suction centrifugal pumps, submersible pumps and turbines or jet pumps. Submersible pumps, turbines and jet pumps submerge the pump under water, while an end-suction centrifugal pump remains out of water.

Displacement pumps move heavy or thick liquids and are another type of agricultural water pump. If you plan to use fertilizer mixed into the water, you need to use a displacement pump for the irrigation water pumps. Piston, diaphragm, roller-tube and rotary pumps are displacement pumps.

Before you choose a water pump for irrigation:

1. Find out the specific flow and pressure requirements for your project.
2. Design your irrigation system to match your needs.
   
3. Evaluate which type of irrigation pump is the most cost efficient in your situation.
   

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Determine whether your sprinkler pump needs a booster pump

Booster pumps work in much the same way as multi-stage centrifugal pumps in that booster pumps increase the water pressure along the irrigation route. To find the right amount of pressure needed, you subtract the desired pressure from the actual pressure. If the pressure shows in PSI, you need to multiply by 2.31 to find the pressure in feet head.

I recommend: Look at the benefit of a booster pump. Davey Pumps Inc specializes in Pressure Booster Systems designed for boosting pressure in irrigation water pumps. Talk to the experts at Akland Pump and Irrigation. Irrigation-Mart offers a complete line of products.

Choose diesel powered irrigation pumps

Diesel powered pumps work well as pumps for irrigation in areas with limited electricity. Most diesel pumps are designed for fuel economy while maintaining optimal performance.

I recommend: Work with a company that offers several brands of diesel pumps. Mid-Atlantic Irrigation carries several brands or diesel pumps including John Deere, Perkins, Isuzu and Deutz.

Use an electric powered water pump for irrigation

Irrigation pump suppliers generally offer diesel and electric irrigation pumps. With the price of fuel continually increasing, many people prefer to use an electric pump. Electrical irrigation pumps reduce the costs associated with fuel.

I recommend: Use a company that understands irrigation systems. Berkeley’s product catalog offers several types of irrigation pumps. If you have a question, ask the Pump Experts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Fuel powered irrigation pumps use different formulas than electric powered pumps to calculate flow, pressure and horse power.
• •  Pressure should be expressed in feet head, not PSI.
• •  Lower pressure results in higher flow.

To purchase the right irrigation pump, you should become familiar with irrigation pumps key terms. Because there are different types of irrigation water pumps, it is important to understand how to select the correct type of pump for an irrigation system. In general, most irrigation pumps are centrifugal pumps. However, a displacement pump (which is not a centrifugal pump) may be for use as an agricultural water pump because it can move heavier media like mixtures of water and fertilizer.

Likewise, there are many terms used for the components of centrifugal irrigation pumps such as impellers, involutes, bearing assemblies and couplers. The impeller is the component that moves or rotates. A multi-stage centrifugal pump has more than one impeller.

Some other useful irrigation pumps key terms are those related to a pump’s operating characteristics. Some of these are pressure, head, brake horsepower, efficiency and pump curves. Before buying an irrigation or sprinkler pump, consider the following:

1. Choose the correct type of irrigation pump based on design applications.

2. Understand pump performance curves to buy efficient industrial irrigation pumps.

3. Know the key components of a centrifugal irrigation pump.

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Learn about the different types of irrigation pumps

For industrial or agricultural applications, some types of centrifugal irrigation pumps are jet, submersible, turbine, and end-suction centrifugal pumps. The rotating impellers in end-suction centrifugal pumps push the water. These pumps are above ground. Submersible pumps are entirely underwater. Turbine pumps can also be located below the water surface.

I recommend: See the tutorial on how to select a pump type for an irrigation system at IrrigationTutorials.com. The Engineering Toolbox has good information on the difference between a centrifugal pump and a displacement pump.

Purchase pumps for irrigation with high efficiency

To select an efficient water pump for irrigation, knowing about pump sizing and pump performance characteristics is essential. Some important terms are capacity, pump curves and efficiency. Capacity is how much water a pump is able to pump in a given time (gallons per minute). Pump curves give the operating characteristics of a pump. On these curves, you can find the relationships between capacity and head, efficiency and capacity and the best efficiency point (BEP) for a given pump. Many irrigation pump suppliers furnish buyers with pump curve data.

I recommend: University of Florida IFAS Extension provides information on pump performance factors and the selection of efficient pump equipment. At John Deere Landscapes, you can learn how to read a pump curve. Pump Systems Matter offers a data sheet on how to select an energy-efficient pump.

Get the correct components for an irrigation water pumps

Knowing how each component in a centrifugal irrigation pump functions, can help you identify and troubleshoot any pump problems. It can also make it easier to find the right replacement parts. In general, these types of pumps consist of moving and non-moving elements, nozzles, stuffing boxes, shafts, seal chamber, mechanical seals and various other components. When looking for pump parts, choose suppliers that provide online searches for a component by item description, model, manufacturer or part number.

I recommend: The Chemical Engineers' Resource Page provides a good overview of pump components. Contractors Depot offers a variety of water pumps for sale on the website Pumps-in-stock.com as well as a pump glossary and an info page on pump terminology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you require a centrifugal irrigation pump with a specific impeller size and an off-the-shelf product is not suitable then you can custom order it.