AE1057 (Revised)

Irrigation
Water Pumps
The heart of most irrigation systems is a pump. To make an irrigation system as
efficient as possible, the pump must be selected to match the requirements of
the water source, the water distribution system and the irrigation equipment.

Thomas F. Scherer
Extension Agricultural Engineer

August 2017
1•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps
 Pumps used for irrigation
Basic Pump Operating Characteristics
include centrifugal, deep- “Head” is a term commonly used with Table 1. Pounds per square
well turbine, submersible pumps. Head refers to the height of a inch (PSI) and equivalent head
vertical column of water. Pressure and in feet of water.
and propeller pumps.
Actually, turbine, head are interchangeable concepts in PSI Head (feet)
irrigation because a column of water
submersible and 0 0
2.31 feet high is equivalent to 1 pound
propeller pumps are 5 11.5
per square inch (PSI) of pressure. The 10 23.1
special forms of a total head of a pump is composed of 15 34.6
centrifugal pump. several types of heads that help define 20 46.2
However, their names are the pump’s operating characteristics. 25 57.7
30 69.3
common in the industry. 35 80.8
In this publication, the term Total Dynamic Head 40 92.4
The total dynamic head of a pump 45 104
centrifugal pump refers to
50 115
any pump that’s above the is the sum of the total static head,
55 127
pressure head, friction head and 60 138
water surface and uses a
velocity head. An explanation of 65 150
suction pipe. these terms follows and is shown 70 162
graphically in Figure 1. 75 173
Before selecting an 80 185
irrigation pump, you Total Static Head 85 196
must make a careful and 90 208
The total static head is the vertical 95 219
complete inventory of the distance the pump must lift the water. 100 231
conditions under which When pumping from a well, it would
the pump will operate. be the distance from the pumping
water level in the well to the ground Friction Head
The inventory must include:
surface, plus the vertical distance the Friction head is the energy loss or
• Source of water water is lifted from the ground surface pressure decrease due to friction when
(well, river, pond, etc.) to the discharge point. When pumping water flows through pipe networks.
from an open water surface, it would The velocity of the water has a
• Required pumping be the total vertical distance from the significant effect on friction loss.
flow rate water surface to the discharge point.
Loss of head due to friction occurs
• Total suction head when water flows through straight
Pressure Head
• Total dynamic head Sprinkler and drip irrigation systems pipe sections, fittings or valves;
require pressure to operate. Center around corners; and where pipes
You usually have no choice pivot systems require a certain increase or decrease in size. Values
about the source of the pressure at the pivot point to for these losses can be calculated or
obtained from friction loss tables.
water; it is either surface distribute the water properly.
The pressure head at any point The friction head for a piping system
water or well water, and
where a pressure gauge is located is the sum of all the friction losses.
the local geology and
can be converted from PSI to feet
hydrologic conditions will Velocity Head
of head by multiplying by 2.31.
determine the availability. Velocity head is the energy of the
However, the type of For example, 20 PSI is equal to water due to its velocity. This is a
20 times 2.31, or 46.2 feet of head. very small amount of energy and is
irrigation system, distance
Most city water systems operate at usually negligible when computing
from the water source and
50 to 60 PSI, which, as illustrated in losses in an irrigation system.
size of the piping system Table 1, explains why the centers
will determine the flow rate of most city water towers are about
and total dynamic head. 130 feet above the ground.

2•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

Suction Head However, due to suction pipeline Q x TDH
WHP = ————— (1)
friction losses, a pump rated for a 3,960
A pump operating above a water
surface is working with a suction head. maximum suction head of 13 feet
where:
The suction head includes not only effectively may lift water only 10 feet.
WHP = water horse power
the vertical suction lift, but also the To minimize the suction pipeline Q = flow rate in gallons
friction losses through the pipe, friction losses, the suction pipe per minute (GPM)
should have a larger diameter TDH = total dynamic head (feet)
elbows, foot valves and other fittings
on the suction side of the pump. than the discharge pipe.
However, the actual power required
An allowable limit to the suction head Operating a pump with suction lift to run a pump will be higher than this
on a pump and the net positive suction greater than it was designed for, or because pumps and drives are not
head (NPSH) of a pump sets that limit. under conditions with excessive 100 percent efficient. The horsepower
vacuum at some point in the impeller, required at the pump shaft to pump a
The theoretical maximum height that
may cause cavitation. Cavitation is specified flow rate against a specified
water can be lifted using suction is
the implosion of bubbles of air and TDH is the brake horsepower (BHP),
about 33 feet. Through controlled
water vapor and makes a very distinct which is calculated with the following
laboratory tests, manufacturers
noise such as gravel in the pump. formula:
determine the NPSH curve for their
pumps. The NPSH curve will increase The implosion of numerous bubbles WHP
BHP = —————————— (2)
with increasing flow rates through will eat away at an impeller and it Pump Eff. x Drive Eff.
the pump. eventually will be filled with holes.
BHP – brake horsepower (continuous
horsepower rating of the power unit)
At a certain flow rate, the NPSH is
subtracted from 33 feet to determine Pump Power Pump eff. – efficiency of the pump
usually read from a pump curve
the maximum suction head at which Requirements and having a value between 0 and 1
that pump will operate. For example, Drive Eff. – efficiency of the drive unit
The power added to water as it moves
if a pump requires a minimum NPSH between the power source and the
through a pump can be calculated
of 20 feet, the pump would have a pump. For direct connection, this
with the following formula: value is 1; for right-angle drives,
maximum suction head of 13 feet.
the value is 0.95; for belt drives,
it can vary from 0.7 to 0.85

Figure 1. The total dynamic head (TDH) is the sum of the total static head, total friction head and pressure head.
The components of the total static head for a surface water and well water pumping system are shown.

3•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

Effect of Speed Change All pump curves are plotted with the or 27.3, and from equation 2,
flow rate on the horizontal axis and the the BHP would be 27.3 ÷0.72, or 37.9,
on Pump Performance TDH on the vertical axis. The curves in assuming the drive efficiency is
The performance of a pump varies
Figure 2 (Page 5) are for a centrifugal 100 percent. The NPSH curve was
with the speed at which the impeller
pump tested at different RPM. used to calculate the total dynamic
rotates. Theoretically, varying the
suction lift (TDSL) markers at the
pump speed will result in changes in Each curve indicates the GPM vs.
bottom of the chart. Notice that
flow rate, TDH and BHP according TDH relationship at the tested RPM.
the TDSL at 1,400 GPM is 10 feet,
to the following formulas: In addition, pump efficiency lines
but at 900 GPM, the TDSL is more
have been added, and wherever
1 than 25 feet.
( RPM2
———
RMP1 ) x GPM1 = GPM2 (3) the efficiency line crosses the pump
curve lines, that number is what
the efficiency is at that point. Changing Pump Speed
( )
2
RPM2
——— x TDH1 = TDH2 (4) Now suppose this pump is connected
RMP1 Brake horsepower (BHP) curves also to a diesel engine. By varying the
have been added; they slant down RPM of the engine, we can vary the
( )
3
RPM2
——— x BPH1 = BPH2 (5) from left to right. The BHP curves are flow rate, TDH and BHP requirements
RMP1
calculated using the values from the of this pump. As an example, let’s
efficiency lines. An NPSH curve is at change the speed of the engine from
the top of the chart and its scale is 1,600 RPM to 1,700 RPM. What effect
where: on the right side of the chart. does this have on the GPM, TDH
RPM1 = initial revolutions per minute and BHP of the pump?
setting
Reading a Pump Curve Solution: We will use equations
RPM2 = new revolutions per minute
setting
When you know the desired flow rate
3, 4 and 5 to calculate the change.
and TDH, you can use these curves to
GPM = gallons per minute Using equation 3, the change in
(subscripts same as for RPM) select a pump. The pump curve shows
GPM would be (1,700 ÷ 1,600)
TDH = total dynamic head that a pump will operate during a wide
x 900, which equals 956 GPM.
(subscripts same as for RPM) range of conditions. However, it will
Using equation 4, the change in
BHP = brake horsepower operate at peak efficiency only in a
(subscripts same as for RPM) TDH would be (1,700 ÷ 1,600)2 x
narrow range of flow rate and TDH.
120, which equals 135.5 feet of TDH.
As an example, if the RPM are As an example of how to use a pump Using equation 5, the change in BHP
increased by 50 percent, the flow characteristic curve, let’s use the pump would be (1,700 ÷ 1,600)3 x 37.9,
rate will increase by 50 percent, curve in Figure 2 to determine the which equals 45.5 BHP.
the TDH will increase (1.5 ÷ 1)2, horsepower and efficiency of this This point is plotted on Figure 2 as
or 2.25 times, and the required BHP pump at a discharge of 900 gallons per the circle with the dot in the middle.
will increase (1.5 ÷ 1)3, or 3.38 times, minute (GPM) and 120 feet of TDH. Note that the new operating point is
that required at the lower speed. up and to the right of the old point
Solution: Follow the dashed vertical and that the efficiency of the pump
Obviously, with a speed increase,
line from 900 GPM until it crosses has remained the same.
the BHP requirements of a pump
the dashed horizontal line from the
will increase at a faster rate than
120 feet of TDH. At this point, the When you select a pump for an
the head and flow rate changes.
pump is running at a peak efficiency irrigation installation, the installer
just below 72 percent, at a speed of should provide a copy of the pump
Pump Efficiency 1,600 RPM. If you look at the BHP curve. In addition, the installer
Manufacturers use tests to determine curves, this pump requires just less should provide information if the
the operating characteristics of their than 40 BHP on the input shaft. impeller or impellers were trimmed.
pumps and publish the results in A more accurate estimate of BHP This information will be valuable in
pump performance charts commonly can be calculated with equations the future, especially if you have to
called “pump curves.” A typical 1 and 2. Using equation 1, the make repairs.
pump curve is shown in Figure 2. WHP would be [900 x 120] ÷ 3,960,

4•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

 Figure 2. A typical pump curve for a horizontal centrifugal pump. NPSH is the net positive suction head
required by the pump, and TDSL is the total dynamic suction lift available (both at sea level).

The horizontal centrifugal has a vertical with frequent electrical power outages
Centrifugal Pumps impeller connected to a horizontal or off-peak electrical price reductions.
Centrifugal pumps are used to pump drive shaft, as shown in Figure 3.
from reservoirs, lakes, streams and Self-priming also lends itself to the new
shallow wells. They also are used as Horizontal centrifugal pumps are the control panels for center pivots where
booster pumps in irrigation pipelines. most common in irrigation systems. automatic restart is a programmable
All centrifugal pumps must be filled They are generally less costly, require function.
completely with water or “primed” less maintenance, and are easier to
install and more accessible for A note of caution:
before they can operate.
inspection and maintenance than Because the bearings are constantly
The suction line, as well as the pump, a vertical centrifugal. Self-priming under water, these pumps may
has to be filled with water and free horizontal centrifugal pumps are require a higher level of maintenance.
of air. Airtight joints and connections available, but they are special-purpose
are extremely important on the suction pumps and not normally used with
pipe. Priming a pump can be done irrigation systems.
by hand-operated vacuum pumps,
an internal combustion engine Vertical centrifugal pumps may be
vacuum, motor-powered vacuum mounted so the impeller is under
pumps or small water pumps that water at all times. (See floating
fill the pump and suction pipe pump on cover.) This makes priming
with water. unnecessary, which makes the vertical
centrifugal desirable for floating
Centrifugal pumps are designed applications. Also, a self-priming Figure 3. A horizontal centrifugal
for horizontal or vertical operation. feature is very desirable in areas pump.

5•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

 low head. In most deep-well turbine
Deep-well Turbine installations, several bowls are
Pumps stacked in series one above the other.
Deep-well turbine pumps are adapted This is called staging. A four-stage
for use in cased wells or where the bowl assembly contains four impellers
water surface is below the practical all attached to a common shaft and
limits of a centrifugal pump. Turbine will operate at four times the discharge
pumps also are used with surface head of a single-stage pump.
water systems.
Impellers used in turbine pumps may
Because the intake for the turbine be semi-open or enclosed, as shown
pump is continuously under water, in Figure 5 (Page 7). The vanes on
priming is not a concern. Turbine semi-open impellers are open on
pump efficiencies are comparable the bottom and they rotate with a
to or greater than most centrifugal close tolerance to the bottom of
pumps. They usually are more the pump bowl.
expensive than centrifugal pumps and
The tolerance is critical and must be
more difficult to inspect and repair.
adjusted when the pump is new.
The turbine pump has three main During the initial break-in period,
parts: head assembly, shaft and column the line shaft couplings will tighten;
assembly and pump bowl assembly, as therefore, after about 100 hours of
shown in Figure 4. The head normally operation, the impeller adjustments
is cast iron and designed to be installed should be checked. After break-in,
on a foundation. It supports the the tolerance must be checked and
column, shaft and bowl assemblies adjusted every three to five years
and provides a discharge for the water. or more often if pumping sand.
It also will support an electric motor,
Both types of impellers may cause
a right-angle gear drive or a belt drive.
inefficient pump operation if they are
The shaft and column assembly not adjusted properly. Mechanical
provides a connection between the damage will result if the semi-open
head and pump bowls. The line shaft impellers are set too low and the vanes
transfers the power from the motor to rub against the bottom of the bowls.
the impellers, and the column carries The adjustment of enclosed impellers
the water to the surface. The line shaft is not as critical; however, they still
on a turbine pump may be water- must be checked and adjusted.
or oil-lubricated.
Impeller adjustments are made by
The oil-lubricated pump has a hollow tightening or loosening a nut on the
shaft into which oil drips, lubricating Figure 4. A deep-well turbine top of the head assembly. Impeller
the bearings. The water-lubricated pump. adjustments normally are made by
pump has an open shaft. The bearings lowering the impellers to the bottom
are lubricated by the pumped water. of the bowls and adjusting them
Line shaft bearings commonly are
If pumping fine sand is a possibility, upward. The amount of upward
placed on 10-foot centers for water-
select the oil-lubricated pump because adjustment is determined by how
lubricated pumps operating at speeds
it will keep the sand out of the bearings. much the line shaft will stretch during
under 2,200 RPM and at 5-foot centers
pumping. The adjustment must be
If the water is for domestic or livestock for pumps operating at higher speeds.
made based on the lowest possible
use, it must be free of oil, and a water- Oil-lubricated bearings commonly are
pumping level in the well.
lubricated pump must be used. In some placed on 5-foot centers.
states, such as Minnesota, you have The pump manufacturer often provides
A pump bowl encloses the impeller.
no choice; water-lubricated pumps are the proper adjustment procedure.
Due to its limited diameter, each
required in all new irrigation wells. The adjustment procedure for many
impeller develops a relatively

6•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

 A vertical turbine pump curve Installation of Vertical
is shown in Figure 6 (Page 8).
This pump curve is similar to the
Turbine Pumps
Deep-well turbine pumps must have
centrifugal pump curve, except instead
correct alignment between the pump
of curves for various RPMs, the curves
and the power unit. Using a head
are for different diameter impellers.
assembly that matches the motor and
Decreasing the diameter of impellers column/pump assembly makes getting
is called “trimming.” Manufacturers the correct alignment easy to do.
will trim impellers to the proper size
Making sure the well is straight and
to match the TDH and flow rate
plumb is very important. The pump
requirements of a specific irrigation
column assembly must be aligned
installation.
vertically so that no part touches
Pump curves for turbine pumps the well casing. Spacers usually
normally are shown for a single are attached to the pump column
stage, so the TDH obtained will be to prevent the pump assembly
determined by multiplying the from touching the well casing.
indicated head on the pump curve
If the pump column does touch the
by the number of stages. The brake
well casing, vibration will wear holes
horsepower requirements also must
in the casing. A pump column out of
be multiplied by the number of stages.
vertical alignment also may cause
Note that the flow rate will not change,
excessive bearing wear.
no matter how many stages are added.
The head assembly must be mounted
Using the Pump Curve on a good foundation at least 12 inches
As an example, suppose the pump above the ground surface. A foundation
curve in Figure 6 is for a five-stage of concrete (Figure 7, Page 9)
pump with a 7.13-inch impeller provides a permanent and trouble-free
Figure 5. Cutaway view of
two enclosed impellers within supplying 800 GPM. What would installation. The foundation must
their pump bowls. be the TDH and BHP values? be large enough to allow the head
assembly to be securely fastened.
Solution: Follow the dashed
vertical line from 800 GPM up The foundation should have at least
of the common deep-well turbine 12 inches of bearing surface on all
to where it meets the 7.13-inch
brands is outlined in Nebraska sides of the well. In the case of a
impeller curve on the upper
Cooperative Extension Service gravel-packed well, the 12-inch
portion of the chart. Follow the
publication EC 81-760, titled clearance is measured from the
dashed horizontal line left to
“How to adjust vertical turbine outside edge of the gravel packing.
where it shows 26 feet of TDH.
pumps for maximum efficiency.”
Multiplying 26 by 5 gives 130 feet A well access pipe at least 1.5 inches
of TDH. Next, follow the dashed in diameter must extend through
Operating Characteristics vertical line from 800 GPM up to the foundation into the well casing.
Tests determine the operating the 7.13-inch impeller BHP curve The access pipe serves two purposes.
characteristics of deep-well turbine on the lower portion of the chart The first is to measure static and
pumps. The characteristics depend and then follow the horizontal pumping water levels in the well,
largely on the bowl design, impeller dashed line left to where it shows and the second is to allow chlorination
type and speed of the impeller shaft. 6.5 BHP. Multiplying 6.5 BHP by of the well.
Flow rate, TDH, BHP, efficiency and 5 (five stages) produces a 32.5 BHP
RPM are similar to those given for requirement for this pump. Also A ¾-inch-diameter polyethylene
centrifugal pumps. Vertical turbine note that the pump is operating at tubing with the bottom end closed,
pumps generally are designed for its peak efficiency of 80 percent. inserted into the access pipe and
a specific RPM setting. At this efficiency, the calculated
BHP (equations 1 and 2) is 32.8.

7•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

 Figure 6. Deep-well turbine pump curve. The brake horsepower and total head are for one stage.
If the pump had five stages, multiply the brake horsepower and the total head values by five.
The gallons per minute will stay the same, no matter how many stages are added.

8•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

extending to the pump level will it becomes hot and pushes up on the
make measuring water levels much
Submersible Pumps impellers. If semi-open impellers were
easier. Small holes must be drilled A submersible pump is a turbine pump used, the pump would lose efficiency.
into the tubing to allow water to close-coupled to a submersible electric The pump curve for a submersible
move in and out of the tubing easily. motor, as shown in Figure 8 (Page 9). pump is very similar to the curve
Both pump and motor are suspended for a deep-well turbine pump.
More information on well maintenance in the water, thereby eliminating the
can be found in the NDSU publication long drive shaft and bearing retainers Submersible motors are smaller
“Care and Maintenance of Irrigation required for a deep-well turbine pump. in diameter and much longer than
Wells.” Because the pump is above the motor, ordinary motors. Because of their
water enters the pump through a smaller diameter, they are lower-
screen between the pump and motor. efficiency motors than those used
for centrifugal or deep-well turbine
The submersible pump uses enclosed pumps.
impellers because the shaft from
the electric motor expands when Submersible motors generally are
referred to as dry or wet motors.
Dry motors are hermetically sealed
with a high-dielectric oil to exclude
water from the motor. Wet motors are
open to the well water, with the rotor
and bearings operating in the water.

If the circulation of water past the

motor is restricted or inadequate,
the motor may overheat and burn
out. Therefore, the length of riser
pipe must be sufficient to keep
the bowl assembly and motor
completely submerged at all times.
In addition, the well casing must
be large enough to allow water
to flow past the motor easily.

Small submersible pumps (under

5 horsepower) use single-phase power.
However, most submersible pumps
used for irrigation need three-phase
electrical power. Electrical wiring
from the pump to the surface must be
watertight and all connections sealed.
The electrical line should be attached
to the column pipe every 20 feet to
prevent it from wrapping around
the column pipe.

Voltage at the motor leads must be

within plus or minus 10 percent
of the motor nameplate voltage.
If a 5 percent voltage drop occurs
in the submersible pump cable,
voltage at the surface must not be
less than 95 percent of rated voltage.
Figure 7. Recommended concrete base with access pipe for
water level measurement and chlorination.

9•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

Because the pump is in the well, An advantage of using a submersible
lightning protection should be wired as a booster pump instead of a
Propeller Pumps
into the control box. Lightning striking centrifugal is noise reduction. This Propeller pumps are used for
on wells with submersible pumps is is a desirable attribute in residential low-lift, high-flow rate conditions.
a leading cause of pump failures. settings and near golf courses. They come in two types, axial flow
and mixed flow. The difference
You can select submersible pumps Submersibles also have been used as between the two is the type of impeller.
to provide a wide range of flow rate booster pumps in the suction lines of The axial flow pump uses an impeller
and TDH combinations. Submersible centrifugal pumps. This application that looks like a common boat motor
pumps more than 10 inches in diameter is used in situations where the water screw and is essentially a very
generally cost more than comparably level will fluctuate a considerable low-head pump.
sized deep-well turbines because the amount during the season. Having
motors are more expensive. a submersible in the suction line will A single-stage propeller pump
change the head at the inlet of the typically will lift water no more than
Many manufacturers make submersible 20 feet. By adding another stage,
centrifugal pump from a suction
booster pumps. These pumps usually heads from 30 to 40 feet are obtainable.
head to a positive head.
are mounted horizontally in a pipeline. The mixed-flow pump uses semi-open
or closed impellers similar to turbine
pumps.

In permanent installations, propeller

pumps are mounted vertically, as
shown in Figure 9 (below and Page
11). For portable pumping platforms,
they are mounted on trailers or on
pontoons for use as floating intakes.

Portable propeller pumps commonly

are mounted in almost horizontal
positions (low angles) to allow them
to pump into pipelines easily, as well
as to be backed into a water source.
Portable propeller pumps commonly
are powered by the power take-off
(PTO) on tractors. On many farms,
propeller pumps are used to pump
out waste storage lagoons.

Power requirements of the propeller

pump increase directly with the TDH,
so adequate power must be provided
to drive the pump at maximum lift.

Figure 9a. A power-take-off (PTO)

driven propeller pump used to
move large volumes of water in
Figure 8. A submersible pump installed in a well. low lift conditions.

10•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

 Propeller pumps are not suitable under
conditions where the discharge must
Pump Selection
be throttled to reduce the flow rate. Criteria
Accurately determining the maximum The selection of an irrigation water
TDH against which this type of pump pump is based almost entirely on the
will operate is important. relationship between pump efficiency
and the TDH the pump will provide at
Propeller pumps are not suitable
a specific flow rate. As shown before,
for suction lift. The impeller must be
these parameters also are the basis
submerged and the pump operated
of the pump characteristic curve.
at the proper submergence depth.
Use Table 2 to narrow the selection
The depth of submergence will vary
of a pump type for a broad range of
according to various manufacturers’
flow rates and total dynamic heads.
recommendations, but generally,
the greater the diameter of pump, One item not included in the TDH
the deeper the submergence. values in Table 2 is the suction lift.
If your application needs to lift the
Following recommended
water to the pump, then you will
submergence depths will ensure
have to use a centrifugal pump.
that the flow rate is not reduced due
to vortices. Also, failure to observe
required submergence depth may
cause severe mechanical vibrations
and rapid deterioration of the
propeller blades.

Table 2. A chart showing the most desirable pump types to use for
a given range of flow rates and total dynamic heads.

TDH (feet)
Gallons
per Minute 50 or less 50 to 500 500 or more
0 to 300 Propeller Centrifugal Centrifugal
Centrifugal Vertical turbine Vertical turbine
Submersible Submersible
300 to 5,000 Propeller Centrifugal Centrifugal
Vertical turbine Vertical turbine
Submersible Submersible
5,000 or more Propeller Centrifugal Centrifugal
Vertical turbine Vertical turbine
Propeller
Submersible

Additional Sources of Information

“Care and Maintenance of Irrigation Wells,”
Figure 9b. A propeller pump.
an NDSU Extension publication available at
http://tinyurl.com/IrrigationWells-NDSU

“Center Pivot Design,” Irrigation Association, Falls Church, Va.,

www.irrigation.org

MWPS-30, Sprinkler Irrigation Systems, MWPS,

Iowa State University, Ames,
www.mwps.org

11•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps

 Factors to Consider in Selecting an Irrigation Pump
Pump Type Advantages Disadvantages
Centrifugal 1. High efficiency over a range of 1. Suction lift is limited; needs to be
operating conditions within 20 vertical feet of water surface
2. Easy to install 2. Priming required
3. Simple, economical and adaptable to 3. Loss of prime can damage pump
many situations 4. If the TDH is much lower than design
4. Electric, internal combustion engines or value, the motor may overload
tractor power can be used
5. Does not overload with increased TDH
6. Vertical centrifugal may be submerged
and not need priming

Vertical turbine 1. Adapted for use in wells 1. Difficult to install, inspect and repair
2. Provides high TDH and flow rates with 2. Higher initial cost than a centrifugal
high efficiency pump
3. Electric or internal combustion power 3. To maintain high efficiency, impellers
can be used must be adjusted periodically
4. Priming not needed 4. Repair and maintenance more expensive
5. Can be used where water surface fluctuates than for centrifugals

Submersible 1. Can be used in deep wells 1. More expensive in larger sizes than
2. Priming not needed deep-well vertical turbines
3. Can be used in crooked wells 2. Only electric power can be used
4. Easy to install 3. More susceptible to lightning
5. Smaller diameters are less expensive 4. Water movement past motor is required
than comparable-sized vertical turbines

Propeller 1. Simple construction 1. Not suitable for suction lift

2. Can pump some sand 2. Cannot be valved back to reduce
3. Priming not needed flow rate
4. Efficient at pumping very large flow 3. Intake submergence depth is
rates at low TDH very critical
5. Electric, internal combustion engine 4. Limited to low (less than 75 feet) TDH
and tractor power can be used
6. Suitable for portable operation

Photos by Thomas Scherer

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12•AE1057Irrigation Water Pumps 2M-4-93; 1M-4-95; 150-8-17