I'm getting overstocked on cattle on my farm that is mostly sandy/well drained soil. I need grass and buying land is to expensive. I need to produce more grass on my land. I have surface water, I just need a way to irrigate from it.

Has anyone used a Gas powered Trash pump to irrigate? Did you do 2 or 3" pump? What irrigators did you go with? I was hoping to get something on a cart so I can move it around with the truck or tractor.

Appreciate any help.

You might want to consider a portable fire pump, they're designed for high pressure, trash pumps not so much, even if you neck down the outlet not sure you'll have enough pressure for an extensive irrigation line.

I was kind of looking at the kits from this place. I'm unsure if two smaller systems or one larger one would be better. Seems like it would work but it's a decent amount of money and I would sure hate to be $5,000 into a disappointment.

https://www.bigsprinkler.com/catalog/complete-irrigation-systems

be sure to watch elevations. 1 foot of elevation is .43 psi up or down. as a general rule the smaller the discharge in relation to the hp will be higher pressure. every pumphas its own curve -- watch the trash pumps because they usually say x gallons and x pressure -- that does not mean you will get the max gallonage at the max pressure. if you need some recomendations or help reading some pump curves pm me.

How big of an area are you trying to irrigate?

Around 40 but I don't need to irrigate the whole thing, just supplement water during dry periods and pick a few good areas to really pour it to to boost grass production.

I don’t know anything about pumps. But, don’t they make a pump that is powered by a pto off a tractor? To me, it would be a big pump, since a tractor is powering it. And it might be a little cheaper because you’re not buying a motor.

for that much acreage a pto pump is a viable option and most of those are less limiting on pessure. the larger the nozzle size on the sprinkler the more pressure you will need to atomize it so that you have a reasonable pattern. the sprinklers in those kits are usually ok but the hose is cheap and wont last very long. they also tend to be optimistic on how much water you can push through a smaller hose. you are probably going to want to do at least 150 gpm - is your water source capable of keeping up with that?

A three inch trash pump will more than adequate. The problem I see is if you plan on using some type of sprinkler to irrigate, filtering what you pump. We have a platform built off the 3 point hitch to put the pump on. Fire type discharge hose is used.
When I worked plastering pools we used one everyday all day long. We would pump water hundreds of feet from the pool. The mixer man would wash his plaster rig down with it by necking it down to a 3/4 inch nozzle. He would have to put the pump on half throttle or it would knock you off you're feet. You firemen know what I'm talking about

Thanks all, especially h2orat, I may pm you in the future.

Yes I’ve used that combination. 2 inch. Used a self propelled and moveable. Could set the sprinkler for a wide travel. Irrigated two 20 acre pastures. I have 6 100 foot hoses with quick connects. Mainly irrigated at night. I could cover the 20 acres in three days. Moving the sprinkler twice a day. It would shoot well over 200 feet.

Sell cattle...buy land.
Too many cows is a good thing

Even if I buy land I want to get everything I can out of it.

I talked to a supplier, I think we have a plan but wife and I are going to think about it for a bit. Seeded a pasture two years ago and the whole thing died in the last two years of drought, that can't keep happening.

I sold down from 18 to 8
But just bought a new bull


It gets in the blood

I have a Honda high pressure pump 2” and I can’t put too many sprinklers on it for my place. Easily covers 4-5 acres.