In rural areas or in the private sector, great attention is paid to taking care of the personal plot. Watering the garden and vegetable garden takes a significant amount of time. Technological progress makes it possible to optimize work, shorten the time it takes to complete it, and at the same time increase efficiency. The barrel irrigation pump greatly facilitates irrigation work for villagers and summer residents.
Types of drum pumps
In the picture on the left, there is a surface pump. It is installed on the surface and the fence is made using a hose immersed in the barrel. On the right is a submersible pump. The unit is directly immersed in a container, from where it draws water.
Application
Barrel pumps are most often used for watering a garden, flower bed, lawn or vegetable garden. Many plants prefer warm, standing water for irrigation instead of cold water from a well. If there is no need to arrange an irrigation system, then you can use a simple and quick irrigation method using a pump from a barrel. The irrigation system device consists of several steps:
- A container is installed for storing water, it can be a special container or any barrel available;
- The container is filled with water from a well or rainwater;
- A pump is submerged into a full barrel, and if it is a surface unit, it is installed at a suitable place. The submersible pump control panel is mounted on the tank wall.
- Flexible hoses of the required length are connected to the pump, and a watering can is attached.
- Connecting to the mains.
Irrigation barrel
Operating principle
The unit, immersed in water or standing on the surface, draws water from the tank and, using the pressure difference, which is created in various ways, supplies it under pressure to the water supply system or irrigation system. The unit is equipped with a float sensor that detects the need to fill the tank.
If a container with water is installed on an elevated place (on the roof of a building or a special structure), then it is possible to irrigate without using a pump at all. But in such a system, there will be little pressure. It is rational to use it for drip irrigation.
The structure of the "Karcher" barrel pump
- Submersible pump for irrigation from a Kärcher barrel. It is installed on the bottom of the barrel.
- A tank or other container that contains water for irrigation.
- Power cord.
- Clamp for fastening to the tank wall. There is a float-sensor on it, the rotation of which turns the drum pump on and off. If the float is removed and immersed in water when it ends in the tank, the unit will automatically shut down.
Using a watering can for watering, which regulates the pressure of the jet, it is convenient to water the plants at the root.
Classification
According to the principle of operation, pumps are:
- Manual. It is put into work with the help of physical impact. It is inexpensive and easy to operate. It is used in the absence of electricity in the country. The disadvantage is the need for physical labor costs. It is almost impossible to use such pumps for watering a garden, although this mechanism is completely independent of the power source.
- Electric. Acts with an electric current. A very productive unit, capable of pumping up to 200 liters of water in one minute. Electric pumps are efficient and have a long service life thanks to protective systems that protect them from overheating and fire.
- Pneumatic. It is put into action under the influence of compressed air. Such a unit does not depend on the presence of an electrical network and is capable of pumping from 50 to 150 liters of water in one minute.
Kinds
- Submersible pumps. Such equipment has a hermetically sealed housing, since completely immersed in the liquid column, from where water is taken and supplied to the system.
- Surface pumps do not submerge in water, but are installed on the surface. For water intake, a hose is used, which is connected to the unit at one end, and its other end is immersed in water. If there is a lake or pond nearby, surface pumps can draw water directly from the reservoir for irrigation. Its feature is the mandatory presence of a check valve. Otherwise, the equipment will drive air instead of water.
- Pumps for complete drum emptying. Such a unit almost completely pumps out all the liquid in the tank.
- Drainage pumps. There is no need to use clean drinking water for watering the garden beds. The settled flowering water will be even more beneficial for the plants. It is this unit that is used to pump water with impurities. It can be used to take water from a pond or other open reservoir without fear that the device will fail.
Choice
There are the following parameters for pump selection:
- The indicator of the productivity of the device is how much water it is capable of pumping per unit of time.
- Power determines the uptime, as well as the height and distance of the water supply.
- Reliability is determined by the presence of various systems that protect against overheating and idling.
- Ability to pump liquid with impurities.
- Equipment parameters and weight.
- Easy to install and operate the unit.
- Noisy operation of the device.
- Possibility of repair and replacement of parts.
- Possibility of modification to perform additional functions.
- Unit cost.
Choice of capacity
Any tank or barrel is suitable for irrigation. If there is no suitable capacity at home or in the country, you will have to purchase it.
Barrel selection
Parameters:
- The volume of the container.
- Ease of installation.
- Barrel cost.
Barrels for water
Barrels differ in material:
- wooden - well tarred;
- metal - heavy and corroded;
- plastic - relatively light, not exposed to chemical attack, durable, easy to carry and install, but the water in the barrel may have a specific taste.
To prevent a metal barrel from entering into a chemical reaction with an aggressive environment, it must be treated with red lead from the inside.
Calculation of pump performance
All the necessary technical characteristics of the drum pump are indicated in its passport. The main thing to look out for is performance:
- Performance. It is determined based on the volume of pumped liquid per unit of time. The area to be irrigated needs to be measured. For 1 m² of area, 3-6 l / day are consumed. For a vegetable garden with an area of 500 m², you will need a unit capable of delivering at least 3000 l / day: 6 l / day * 500 m² = 3000 l / day.
- Power. Determined by the height of the water column. One meter of vertical feed is equal to 10 meters of horizontal. 10 m. Mountains. = 1 m ver. = 1 atmosphere = 1 bar.
So, to supply water at a distance of 300 meters from the pump, you will need a unit that creates a pressure of 30 bar = 30 atmospheres.
300 m. / 10 = 30 m. Ver.
In the case of leaks, which is often the case, and when cornering, fluid pressure is lost, so you need to choose a pump with a 20% margin of indicators.
Manufacturers
Pumps for watering the garden in the country are successfully implemented both by well-known European companies and domestic manufacturers. One of the leaders in the manufacture of pumps for barrels and irrigation systems in general is the German company "Karcher". This manufacturer has established itself as reliable and high quality for many years. The range includes submersible, drainage and surface pressure pumps. Another well-known German company "Alco" produces high-quality water pumps for irrigation from barrels and other products for the care of the garden and vegetable garden in the country.
Among domestic manufacturers, high-quality barrel pumps are manufactured by the Zubr company.
Installation
To install an irrigation system you will need:
- irrigation pump;
- barrel;
- flexible hose of sufficient length;
- taps and fittings;
- watering can or spray bottle.
Installation technology requires the following steps:
- Installation of a storage tank. Depending on the type of pump and irrigation system, the tank is installed on a hill, at ground level or below ground level. On a hill, a tank is installed for a drip heating system. A tank for an external pump is placed in the ground. A reservoir for a submersible pump is installed at ground level.
- A pump is installed corresponding to the irrigation system capacity.
- To regulate the filling of the tank, a float sensor is installed in it, which turns on the pump when the tank is empty and turns it off when filling. If the pump is connected to a water supply system, then it must not be turned off. In this case, the float regulates the operation of the valve, which closes when filling and opens when the tank is empty.
- The piping for the irrigation system is mounted using fittings and taps, or flexible hoses for manual irrigation are connected.
There are situations when classical watering is not very convenient and, moreover, can harm young seedlings. From abundant watering, roots can rot, and a strong pressure from a hose can break the stems of plants. In this case, it is convenient to install a drip irrigation system.
The advantage of this scheme is that it is possible not to use the pump at all, but in this case the tank is installed on a hill or a water tower is arranged.
Schematic illustration of drip irrigation
The sequence of the drip irrigation device is as follows:
- A barrel is being installed. It is filled with water using a pump or naturally using precipitation.
- If the tank is located at ground level, then forced water injection will be required. The drip irrigation pump should be of the low power intake type. There should be no strong pressure in the system.
- The irrigation system is being laid out. A pipeline is arranged from the pump, from which tapes with holes stretch along each bed.
- By installing taps, it is possible to shut off the supply completely or individual sectors of the system.
Water is pumped into the irrigation system and through special holes in the system moistens the soil directly under the plants. Thus, it is possible to organize watering in the greenhouse and in the garden, while there is no need to be personally present during the irrigation process. In places where the level of atmospheric precipitation is low and the dry period lasts for a long time, such a system is simply necessary. It significantly saves water and provides plants with life-giving moisture.
There is water in the reservoir, heated in the sun during the day, moreover, with a high content of microorganisms. It is perfect for watering your garden. Water is drawn from a pond or pool using a drainage pump. He plunges into a reservoir, from where life-giving moisture is supplied.
Watering the garden from an open reservoir using a pump
Irrigation system. Video
Do-it-yourself assembly of a garden watering system and the necessary elements for it are presented in the video below.
The correct choice of irrigation system will provide the plants in the garden with life-giving moisture. It is important that there is enough moisture, but not too much. Therefore, in addition to choosing an irrigation system, you need to correctly mount and configure its operation. An irrigation pump will greatly facilitate watering work and ensure a good harvest.
In contact with
Many summer cottage owners come to their site only during the season or on weekends. They are digging up a vegetable garden, planting crops. It's time to water. And here is the problem - the water in the barrel was pulled up by duckweed, and an ordinary pump cannot cope with it. Fortunately, there is a way out. The submersible pump is designed for just such a front of work. It will easily break through any obstacles and pump out water to the very end. In addition, such equipment will help in the delivery of water from a well, borehole, lake or pool.
Features of submersible pumps for barrel irrigation in the country
Such equipment is used in many areas of production, as well as in garden areas. It has a different structure and power, which depends on the purpose for which the pump is selected. are powered by electricity and require professional installation.
Irrigation devices have a number of characteristic features:
- They are constantly in the water.
- The pumps operate on two types of drives: electrically and mechanically.
- When using a submersible pump, the problem of water supply in the house will disappear by itself.
- They must be constantly removed and immersed before work.
- They require daily inspections and parts cleaning.
There are quite a few models and outwardly they differ slightly from each other. Therefore, to determine them to any kind, one should look at the technical characteristics of submersible devices.
So, all pump models can be distinguished by the following points:
- Determination of power.
- Maximum diving depth.
- What material is the body made of.
- Height for water supply.
- Duration of operation.
- Case size.
- Length of the power cord.
Advantages and disadvantages of garden tanks and garden pumps
This equipment, like any other, has its pros and cons.
So, the advantages of submersible pumps include:
- Small size.
- Work on a site of any complexity.
- Low power consumption.
- Easy control system.
The disadvantages include:
- Frequency of inspection and immersion in water.
- Complexity of installation.
General classification for pumping water
The use of such equipment is extremely wide, however, a pump is selected for each type of work. So, the following groups of irrigation mechanisms can be distinguished:
- By immersion in water.
- According to its purpose.
- By the way of work.
- Power supply - electrical and mechanical.
By immersion
There are three types of pumps in terms of immersion in water.
For surface work
By appointment
For work with wells
Downhole pumps are designed to work with sources. For maximum efficiency and convenience, a small hole with a decent depth is drilled in the ground. The principle of their operation differs in the presence and absence of a hose. In the first case, all work with pumping water is carried out by means of a hose that goes down into the opening. In its absence, the apparatus is lowered into the water. The advantages of such pumps can be noted: a large immersion depth - up to 300 meters, the suction of water with particles of dirt or sand. Disadvantages: complexity of installation and immersion. 
The technology for drilling water wells has been described.
Well
Well pumps are essential for working with wells. less downhole, but work no less powerfully than they do. Such devices cool perfectly and are able to process sludge and small particles.... Their device is the presence of a hole for pumping water from the bottom and a small hose for collecting water from above.
Read also about pumps for watering a garden from a well.
Barreled or barreled
Barrels or barrels are necessary when organizing irrigation from barrels or tanks with water. The principle of their operation is to immerse the pump inside the container. A switch is left outside, with which you can stop work or resume. The advantages of such devices include: the ability to pump out all the water from the barrel, the presence of a convenient hose and ease of use. Submersible pumps of this type are first filled, and only then the whole garden is watered. Failure to do so can result in a blockage in the hose, resulting in pump failure.
Drainage (small)
By way of work
Centrifugal
Excellent helpers when watering the garden from any type of container. They are equipped with a function of increasing the pressure at high water flow rates... The advantages of this type can be noted: pumps do an excellent job with dirty water, they have high performance, they are able to deliver water over a huge distance. The disadvantages include the complexity of the installation and the high cost.
Vibrating
Characterized by the presence of vibration when working with water. They have a weak head, as well as a minimum filling of the tank. However, for a small garden, they are perfect. The advantages include uninterrupted operation, as well as ease of installation. The disadvantages are that they are low-powered and cannot be installed close to the bottom.
Vortex
Suitable when working with delicate pumping of water. For example, for barrels covered with duckweed, they are ideal. Their special device allows you to pump out only water without impurities. In their shortcomings, one can note a weak device that leads to breakdowns.
It is possible that the material about.
Manufacturers and prices
Among domestic manufacturers of submersible pumps, the following models can be noted:
- Baby. The cost of such pumps will be from 1000 to 2000 rubles.
- Dwarf. Its price varies from 5 to 15 thousand rubles.
- Belamos. Its cost varies from 10 thousand and more.
- Vortex. It costs from 6000.
Foreign models include:
- Karcher. The most famous brand that manufactures pumps of all sizes, including small ones. The cost of its products will vary from 3000 to 15 thousand rubles.
- Elpumps. Its price ranges from 6000 to 14 thousand.
- Grinda. The cost of all submersible pumps ranges from 2,000 to 5,000 rubles.
- Gardena. The price range for such a brand is in the range of 4000 - 20,000 rubles.
Details about pumps for an automatic irrigation system are set out.
Video
The video shows how to choose the right submersible pump.
Conclusion
The submersible pump is a versatile helper in any garden. With its help, it is possible not only to organize watering works, but also to clean basements or houses. He has a long service life, excellent technical characteristics.
The whole complexity of such devices consists only in their installation. It can only be carried out by a specialist in his field. However, the presence of this disadvantage is nothing compared to the list of those advantages that the use of submersible pumps carries.
If suburban estates have a personal plot, then, most likely, it is used either for agricultural or for decorative and floricultural purposes. And in fact, and in another case, you cannot do without the regular carrying out of certain agrotechnical works. And irrigation will always be in the foreground - without effective irrigation, especially in dry summer, it is hardly possible to achieve a high yield, beautiful flowering flower beds or even just a lush green lawn.
Even in the case when a water main is brought to the site, using water from it for irrigation is by no means the best solution. Firstly, it is very wasteful, and secondly, such water undergoes certain processing, including chlorination, and is not very useful for plants. For irrigation, it is better to use any natural source, but to use it, you will need special equipment - a pump.
However, if a customer goes to a store or enters an online catalog unprepared, he may be faced with a lot of questions that will make the optimal choice extremely difficult. Pumping equipment is very "many-sided" and differs not only in technical characteristics, but also in operational capabilities. It is necessary to take into account many criteria in advance in order to leave your choice on the most suitable model for the existing conditions. This publication is dedicated to this - we buy a pump for watering a garden: varieties, selection, installation, basic operating rules.
We evaluate the general characteristics and capabilities of the pump
Where will the water come from?
It is impossible to choose the right pump if you do not decide in advance where the water will be taken from for irrigation. There can be a lot of options here.
- The most successful "alignment" when the site has its own or located in the immediate vicinity of a reservoir of natural origin - a pond or lake, fed from underground sources or a stream and has a sufficient debit of water. You can water from a nearby river. In any of these cases, a surface pump or a submersible (semi-submersible) drainage type may be required.
If there is an artificial reservoir on the site - a pond or a pool, then it can also become a source of water for irrigation. All the same, the water in it must be regularly changed, and you can combine these two operations - supply fresh water to the pool, pumping out to the garden that already requires replacement. True, on one condition - that no chemical reagents were used.
- Even a slightly swampy body of water can serve as a source of water for irrigating the site, but in this case, you will have to purchase a special type of drainage pump, which is designed to pump just dirty water.
However, such ideal conditions are rare. Most often, you have to resort to artificially created water sources.
- For irrigation, you can use water from a well or well. For wells, both surface pumps (with a shallow aquifer) and submersible ones can be used. For wells where water is usually at great depths, only a special type of submersible pump is suitable.
Water intake from wells requires special pumping equipment
Raising water from a great depth and at the same time ensuring its sufficient pressure and the required flow rate for further use - not all equipment can cope with this. How to approach - read in a separate publication of our portal.
However, an important point should be made right away. Any experienced gardener or gardener will say that it is highly undesirable to use water directly from their well or well for irrigation, since such irrigation of plants can do them more harm than good. The best option is that the required volume for regular watering is pumped in advance into containers installed in the personal plot. The water will warm up in a day, get rid of the chemical compounds dissolved in it, and become quite suitable for irrigation. By the way, this approach opens up ample opportunities for the competent use of fertilizers and dressings with strict adherence to the recommended proportions of dilution of the compositions.
For a set of containers, the already mentioned well or borehole pumps are used. But directly for irrigation, you will have to acquire a compact surface-type garden pump or special submersible models designed specifically for taking water from containers (barrels, eurocubes, homemade tanks, etc.).
- A good owner should not lose anything, including rainwater, the collection of which into garden containers is very often organized from drainage systems. And besides, if a competent storm sewage system is organized on the site, then an accumulative storm collector can also become a source of water for irrigation. In this case, the submersible drainage pump will again become an assistant.
How is a storm sewer system arranged?
Unfortunately, not everyone remembers about this system of drainage of water from the local area, or they ignore its creation in the hope that everything will somehow "dissolve" by itself. Why this approach is wrong, and how to create it correctly - read in a separate article on our portal.
So, the choice of a pump for irrigation will primarily depend on the type of water source used.
What are the required performance indicators and the generated head?
Whichever type of pump is chosen, this unit must fully cope with the functions assigned to it.
- First, it must ensure that the required volume of water is pumped at a certain time - this is an indicator of productivity.
Calculating this parameter is not difficult at all. It is assumed that, according to the existing rules, for high-quality irrigation of one square meter of a plot, from 3 to 6 liters of water are required (depending on local climate conditions, characteristics of crops grown, set weather). It is best to calculate to the maximum - this will create a certain performance reserve, but everyone is free to decide this issue independently.
Of course, only the area of the site is taken into account, which is allocated for crops that require regular watering. If lawns or flower beds are cultivated, their area is also taken into account.
The next value required for the calculation is the time that is planned to be spent on watering the entire plot. Usually this event is held in the evening, after the heat of the day and the aggressiveness of direct sunlight have subsided, so an hour or two will probably be enough.
To find the required productivity (usually it is indicated in the technical documentation by the symbol Q), it remains to multiply the area of the irrigated area and its irrigation rate, and divide the resulting value by the time allotted for irrigation.
Q = S uch × N / t
S uch – irrigated area (m²).
N - the accepted irrigation rate is from 3 to 6 l / m² (for some crops it can be more).
t - time allotted for watering the site.
For the convenience of the calculation, you can use the proposed calculator. The area in it is indicated in hundred parts - so many gardeners are more familiar with it.
When choosing a water pump, the conditions for its future operation are of great importance. An accurate calculation will help determine the required indicators. And the unit will last for many years if you purchase a model with a small margin of the required values.
The choice of a water pump is determined by the characteristics of the water source, its purity, duration and method of watering the plants. For irrigation from a container, a special version is chosen with attachment to the edge - a barrel pump.
Characteristics of pumps for watering the garden
The most important parameters for watering:
- The volume of water pumped per unit of time. The area of irrigation and the time spent on this work depends on it.
- Reliability. Protection against power surges and "idle" (to avoid overheating and damage to the motor).
- Ability to pump water with impurities.
- Engine power is important for the organization of continuous irrigation and raising water to a height.
- Lightweight and compact for easy portability.
- Simplicity and ease of installation and use.
- Availability or ability to install additional functional elements. For example, for automatic drip irrigation, in addition to a pump, you will also need a pressure switch, a hydraulic accumulator and a pressure gauge. Such a system significantly saves water when watering a garden.
- Noise level during operation.
- Maintainability.
- Unit price.
Types of barrel pumps
The barrel pump is fixed with a special bracket on the side of the tank. Equipped with a pressure regulator (to decrease or increase the pressure) and a filter from mechanical particles, as well as a float switch. In terms of power, it is inferior to other surface pumps. It works quietly, it costs a little. Compact. Suitable for water irrigation and application of liquid fertilizing.
Watering from a barrel is also carried out with non-specialized pumps:
- Submersibles have a hermetically sealed housing, which is placed in water during operation. They work quietly. But installation and removal for the winter are difficult and require a call from a specialist. For irrigation of a garden and a vegetable garden, they are used in a well or a well with a water level below 10 m. Vibration submersible pumps do not react well to mechanical impurities in the pumped water and pressure drops, therefore they are not suitable for sprinklers. In addition, they are almost never repaired. But they are inexpensive. Centrifugal submersible pumps are durable, they are not afraid of dirt in the water, but they will cost much more.
- Drainage systems pump out water with a significant content of mechanical impurities. They cope with large volumes, but provide a weak water pressure. Suitable for water intake from open water bodies, especially overgrown with duckweed. And also for the supply of solutions of organic and mineral fertilizers. Often they have grinders that grind organic matter. Strong and reliable, easy to use. The noise level is average.
- A surface pump is installed on the ground at a water source, into which a special reinforced hose is lowered for water intake. They are used for irrigation from shallow, up to 10 meters, wells. Provides watering of large areas and excellent head. Reliable in the mode with frequent switching on and off of the watering gun. Nice renovation, but noisy. Vortex surface pumps are suitable only for water without the slightest admixture of sand, but they can create 5 times more pressure than centrifugal ones. This makes them attractive for sprinkler irrigation. Centrifugal (self-priming and multistage) are less sensitive to impurities, more reliable and durable. It is imperative to pump water from the barrel with a surface pump with a check valve, otherwise the pump will supply air, not water. The hose is connected at one end to the pump inlet, and a check valve is fixed at the other end.
Drive Pumps
The drive as an actuation device is defined by the motor used, which rotates the impeller to supply water to the system.
By the type of drive, the pumps are divided into:
- electric (as a drive electric motor);
- pneumatic (powered by compressed air, no electrical components);
- mechanical (driven by the mechanical force of a person).
Chemical pumps for irrigation
Made of materials resistant to aggressive environments. Easy to rinse. The motor and pump head are separated into separate modules for adjusting the immersion depth.
For garden watering, they are most often used in greenhouses.
Hand pump for watering from a container
In the absence of electricity and low watering, a hand pump is used. Operated mechanically: by turning a special handle. Suitable for water and thicker solutions. Simple, reliable, cheap, high performance, does not require electricity.
What does a barrel pump consist of?
The housing of a standard drum pump houses a motor that drives the impeller blades and the main shaft. Outside, the system is complemented by a grate through which water is sucked in, a float switch and a hose that connects the pump to the side mount.
A complete list of parts of a typical device: cardan coupling; engine alignment ring; bearing; discharge channel; immersion pipe; bushing and hole for water intake.
How the pump works
The pump sucks in from the source and then pushes the liquid into the irrigation pipe. The principle of operation is based on the difference in pressure created in different parts of the unit body. Depending on the device providing this pressure difference, the pumps start differently. So, the most popular centrifugal is based on a wheel consisting of 2 discs, securely fixed inside a spiral housing. Bending blades are fixed between the discs. When the wheel moves in a body filled with water, the liquid is pushed into the pipeline by centrifugal force. In the center, the pressure drops and water comes back to the pump through the suction line.
Design features
Pumps are structurally divided into:
- Electrical. They are characterized by increased wear resistance, long service life. Pump out up to 200 liters in a minute. They work even with viscous liquids, providing a strong head. In all models, attention is paid to protection against fire and overheating.
- Pneumatic. They work without electricity, on the power of compressed air. Safe and simple. 50-120 liters are pumped per minute. They also work with viscous liquids.
- Stirring. Relevant for liquids with sediment. Thanks to a sliding sleeve that opens when mixing and closes when pumping out, these pumps first mix the liquid and then pump it. Up to 150 liters are pumped in a minute.
- With a complete pumping cycle. Used for complete emptying of containers (the remainder in the barrel is not more than 100 ml.).
How to organize watering from a barrel
Garden watering from a barrel is possible with or without a pump:
- Automatic drip irrigation supplies water just a little, but continuously. A crane is installed in the lower part of the barrel standing on an elevation (if necessary - by how much). A hose with a plug at the second end is attached to the tap. The prepared hose is pulled along the beds as close to the plants as possible. Then with a thick needle pierce holes in it opposite the roots of the watered plants. Barrels of 250 liters are enough for 5-day drip irrigation of 6 acres.
- The pump is lowered vertically into the barrel. Connect the hose. A watering can is attached to the second end of the hose for uniform watering, simulating a sprayer with a handle. For reliability, fix all the elements with tape.
What is needed for the irrigation system
The irrigation system will require:
- pump;
- soft hose;
- sprinkler (can be replaced with a watering can with a comfortable handle;
- barrel of water.
Installation of the entire system takes no more than 15 minutes.
Choosing a barrel for water
Barrels of any shape are suitable for water. They are chosen based on price, size, convenience and suitability for the landscape.
Additional equipment of the barrel with valves, shut-off valves, etc. makes it more convenient, but increases the cost.
If the barrel is not located on an elevation, then a pump will come in handy for irrigation. Barrel for containers up to 1.2 meters deep. Very large drums will require a powerful electric pump.
Valentina Kravchenko, expert
Modern barrels are made from:
- polyethylene. Monolithic, durable and resistant to corrosion and chemical attack. Does not decompose even when installed in the ground. This method of installation will prevent them from overturning and damage in strong winds. The plastic is lightweight and easy to carry. But it heats up in the sun, and the water in the plastic container takes on a chemical aftertaste.
- metal (most often steel). Particularly strong and durable. But they are heavy, relatively expensive and have a risk of corrosion.
How to calculate pump performance
Performance and pressure are stated in the technical data sheet of the units and are determined by the pressure provided by the engine power.
Productivity is the volume of water pumped over per unit of time. On average for watering 1 sq.m. the garden needs from 3 to 6 liters per day. Based on the areas intended for irrigation and the time allotted for this, the pump performance is calculated.
Head - the maximum height of the water column, i.e. lifting liquid with a pump. One meter of vertical is equal to 10 meters of horizontal. If the lifting height is 60 meters, then the pump delivers water up to a maximum of 600 meters in length. The pressure required for the operation of the water supply network is sometimes indicated in units of pressure - bars or atmospheres (10 m approximately corresponds to 1 atm. Or 1 bar).
In practice, a further 20% leakage loss through pipe joints and bends is taken into account. Buy a pump with a margin for this indicator.
Traditionally, summer residents use all kinds of tanks for watering gardens and vegetable gardens, placed on supports about 2 meters above the ground, the water from which flows by gravity. But today, practical water pumps are rapidly gaining popularity, pumping liquid from barrels placed directly on the ground, or even dug into it.
Having your own garden is always a pleasure. But in order for vegetables and fruits to be tasty, and the harvest plentiful, they need to be looked after. The most time consuming care is to water the plantings with water. Today there are a variety of ways to water your garden, one of which is using a pump and barrel. Our article will tell you more about this method.
Not every gardener or gardener has a water supply on his site. Therefore, using a barrel is often the best option for watering a vegetable garden or garden. In this case, it is necessary to purchase a pump for the container. Today, there are various pumps for organizing watering a garden or vegetable garden.
Barrel pumps are of the following types:
- manual. They are used in cases where there is no access to the power grid or the amount of irrigation is insignificant;
- electrical. The optimal choice for large areas. Equipped with pneumatic or electric drive.
In addition, manual pumps, depending on the principle of operation, are:
- membrane;
- piston;
- siphon;
- shiberny.
The manual pump type works on the principle of rotating the handle on top of the device. In this case, the main mechanism itself is located in a barrel on the surface.
In turn, electrical models are divided into the following subtypes:
- gate and centrifugal. Such pumps can carry out not only watering, but also pump various solutions and even diesel fuel;
- screw. These models are specially designed to handle viscous and thick liquids;
- models with pneumatic drive. With their help, you can pump any neutral liquids, as well as oils.
In addition to the above types, drum pumps can be chemical. Such devices are made from chemically resistant materials. This type of pump delivers various fertilizers from the barrel to the garden. Many people today prefer to buy chemical pumps for the following reasons:
- devices are lightweight;
- easy to install and operate;
- easy to clean;
- convenient in terms of watering the beds;
- the possibility of adjusting the immersion depth due to the separate part of the pump and its motor;
- the motor can be electric or pneumatic.
In general, which type of pump you should choose depends on many parameters and the size of the site itself.
Video "Using the Ermak pump for watering the garden"
This video clearly shows the use of the Ermak pump in the garden.
Pump Specifications
All pumps, regardless of model and type, have their own technical characteristics. Among them, the following basic indicators can be distinguished:
- power;
- performance;
- working temperature;
- suction height;
- generated head - maximum outlet pressure;
- service life, etc.
Evaluating the technical characteristics of various models, you can choose for your garden the most optimal device for organizing irrigation of the site.
How to calculate the required head
An important nuance in choosing a barrel pump is such an indicator as the water pressure produced by the device. The head reflects the height to which the purchased pump can lift the liquid from the barrel.
Please note that the higher this indicator is, the higher the height the pump will be able to supply water for irrigation of a larger area. It also follows from this that with a high head pressure between the device and the water intake point, a greater distance is permissible. For example, with a maximum height of 40 meters, the barrel can be 400 meters away from the watering point. In the calculations, it must be borne in mind that one vertical meter is 10 meters horizontally, with a hose diameter of 1 inch.
As you can see, this indicator is really very important, especially if your garden is large. All calculations that relate to determining the required pressure must be carried out before the purchase. A similar calculation should be carried out for all types of devices that are designed to pump liquid from any container (wells, barrels, wells, etc.).
Consider a calculation option using the example of a barrel, which is located 30 meters from the edge of the garden. The pump itself will be lowered to a depth of 6 meters. An approximate calculation of the required pressure will be as follows:
- determine the length of the pipeline (30 + 6 = 36 meters);
- we make a discount, which is 20% (0.2) of the hose length (total). The discount is needed to restore pressure losses at the joints of the pipeline, its turns, etc. We get 36 x 0.2 = approximately 7 meters;
- then add the resulting figure (7) to the height to which the water should be raised (6). The result is 7 + 6 = 13 meters;
- then add another 10 meters to prevent overloading the product. The result is 13 + 10 = 23 meters. This will be the pump head we need.
In this situation, it is necessary to choose a device with a head of 25 to 30 meters. Based on this example, you can easily calculate the required pressure level for watering your garden.
Choosing the right pump
Today, there is simply a huge number of different barrel pumps. Therefore, a gardener or amateur gardener can easily get lost in all this diversity and choose an inappropriate model for his garden or garden.
When choosing a device for organizing a proper watering system for plants, it is necessary to evaluate the following parameters:
In addition, when choosing a product for watering a garden, you should also evaluate the parameters of the site, which also affect the technical characteristics:
- distance from the source of water intake to the most extreme point of the garden;
- how many meters in this situation will be the height difference between the place where the pump is installed and the most extreme point of the vegetable garden or garden;
- how often do you intend to water your garden or garden plot;
- what area are the plantings of cultivated plants growing in your garden;
- the type of watering you select. It can be rain, root, drip, etc.
Remember to water your plants with warm and settled water. A barrel is ideal for these purposes. In addition, rainwater can accumulate in such a container, which is recognized as the best for irrigating cultivated plants.
A properly selected barrel pump will allow you to optimize watering your garden as much as possible and spend a minimum of time and effort on it. And the result in the form of a plentiful and tasty harvest will not keep you waiting and will delight you at the end of the summer season!
Video “Automation for the pump. Watering the garden "
The video shows an automation diagram for a water pump based on a RT 40/6 relay.