Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations What size gas pump do I need?

I have a fairly new dam (8 mo.) that I would like to get grass to grow on this spring. I do not have electricity so I would like to irrigate out of the lake with a gas pump to water the new grass. The dam area, spillway, and surrounding area I want to water is about 600 feet long. My questions are: 1) How big of a pump do I need? 2) How far can you pump or pull water? 3) I assume you can push water much easier than pulling it to the pump? 4) What size PVC pipe would I need, and how long can it be and still be effective? I plan to lay the PVC pipe on top of the ground and keep it in place with sand bags until the grass is established.

I had a 2 inch that threw a bunch of water I could have done anything with it. Unfortunately, I ran it on high RPM's and threw a rod. You need to run them on the lowest rpm possible to keep down the back pressure. I don't know the specs on pumps but they can only lift from a certain short distance. That's why most water well pumps are submersibles. They will push water a really long way. I used 2 inch pvc that I clamped onto the flexible hose. Of course, I wasn't trying to run 600 ft. of sprinklers. It is my understanding (I could certainly be wrong) that you need to control the back pressure and let the pump work. Self priming would be nice.

I own 2 of these
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=wx10
I purchased 100' 1" hoses from grainger.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/itemDetailsRender.shtml?xi=xi&ItemId=1613547755&ccitem=
reduced to 3/4 and they will run 2 large sprinklers. Northern Equip. has a great one.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NTELargeImageView?rfno=200314324&storeId=6970

For longer distance i have a
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/ModelDetail.asp?ModelName=wx15
I have 500' 1 1/2 pvc reduced to 200' 1" and 2 3/4" 75' to sprinklers. This set up has a head lift of 80+' to water a future homesight on top of hill.
I had a local co. make me 2 150' 11/2 and 2 100' for less connections..."Taylor-made hoses" in San Antonio.
Helpful info
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/pumcho.asp#pumpSelect
scroll down to use pumpselect online

Larry,
I have used a portable four inch pump on wheels, with a quick disconnect to hook onto four inch aluminum irrigation pipe. You should be able to buy that pipe somewhere between Vernon and Crowell, used. Each section of pipe is 16-20' long, lightweight, easy to move from a trailer. It will move lots of water, fast. That way, you won't be spending lots of time moving pipes and setting up a pump. Most pumps have a short intake and manufacturer's suggestions at rpm's. My common sense suggests you will need this system from time to time on the ranch.