Irrigation Pumps

What is an irrigation pump?

A variety of pumps used to direct water from a water source to a section of dry land, usually for agricultural purposes. In one form or another, irrigation pumps have been in use for centuries, dating back to the hydraulic waterwheels and the oxen-driven pumps of Ancient China. Today, they are used in modern agricultural practices throughout the world.

Different types

Irrigation uses many different types of pumping mechanisms, including rotary pumps, diaphragm pumps, piston pumps, and old-fashioned hand pumps. However, most fall into the category of centrifugal pumps, using an impeller that moves in a circular motion to force water through the outlet while drawing more water through the intake pipe. Most common are end-suction pumps, which draw water in the end of the casing and discharge it out the top. However, some irrigation pumps may be submersible pumps that work from the bottom of a body of water, and there are also booster pumps, which further pressure water from a source in which the water is already flowing.

Choosing the right pump

Irrigation pumps usually contain two main figures on their labels—gallons per minute (GPM), and pump total head, measured in feet or converted to pounds per square inch (PSI). GPM should be customized for the size of the land that needs water, while PSI is dependent upon the length and elevation through which the water must flow before it reaches the outlet. There are no universal rules for GPM and PSI usage, which is why many companies turn to irrigation specialists to help design their systems.

Here are a few irrigation pump manufacturers to consider.

Other related Pump Types include: water pump, well pump, solar pump, sprinkler pump.