Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Product sources Semi Trash Pump

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That's the exact same one that I have. It will move a LOT of water in a hurry. Make sure you get the suction/discharge hose for it and double check that the fittings that come with the hose fit on the pump and on the bag without any modifications or changes unless you feel comfortable doing work like that. I have banjo fittings on my pump/hoses.

It'll be more than adequate.

Don't buy that one! Spend $30 more and get the Honda pump. I have a Honda pump (not just the engine) that is 30 years old. It got swamped and I bought the Northern pump with a Honda engine while I was getting the old one going. The pump started leaking within a week and it is pressed together so I cannot fix it. It still runs but leaks like a sieve. I wrap it up with duct tape to low it down. Buy the Honda pump! I now am back to my 30-year old Honda pump.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200585739_200585739

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I like your idea, QC, but I doubt you'll be able to "vacuum" FA mats off the surface-the pump will require a steady intake of water to work, or it will "vapor lock" and have to reprime itself. Plus, trying to manipulate a 3" intake hose by hand will be a gutbuster. However, you could set the intake up using rigid PVC with an elbow at the end that points upwards and ends just below the water surface, start the pump, and guide the FA over the opening. If you experiment some with different depths/pump speeds, you might be able suck most of your FA out. You'll still have to get it over to the pump. And you'll have to get in the pond and do good bit of fiddling with the intake apparatus to make it work.

Tilapia, anyone?

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Yolk's right about the hard suctions being a pain to move.

Off the top of my head, something like this may help corral the mats to a more manageable area.

pvc golf ball sweeper

I've got a Honda pump too and it hasn't given me a bit of trouble in the several years I've had it. I've pumped down a million gallon pond twice with it and pump down 1/10th acre ponds every year with it.

I say go Honda too!

The link that she posted has the honda motor, and the pump is bolted together. That's the same one that I have and it's seen a LOT of use - running for 5-6 days straight at a time.

If it sucks air, it will lose it's prime, but it's self priming. After you run it a while you will get it figured out. It will handle up to 3/4" dia rocks. The screen is on the end of the suction hose, and if it keeps plugging with small stuff you can remove it and the small stuff will go thru the pump. I wouldn't make it a habit of running 1/2" dia rocks thru it tho.....

I haven't used dewatering bags, you might want to call the bag mfg. and tell them exactly what you are planning on doing, and what pump you plan on using to see what they recommend.

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The Northerm pump is bolted together but the unmpeller appears to be pressed onto the motor shaft. I cannot get to the gasket that is leaking.

RAH:

Is there a place where you can drill/tap in a set screw from the impeller to the shaft? If so, carefully drill the center of the impeller out, and use a gear puller to pull it off the shaft. Replace leaking seal, drill/tap impeller and grind a flat spot on the pump shaft for the set screw to bottom out against.

If I get the pump separated from the engine, I'll replace it with a Honda pump. In the mean time, its just a back up for my 30-year old Honda unit.

If you're going to go with a new pump, then it is easy to take apart. Just carefully cut off the impeller from the shaft. Sawsall the impeller close to the shaft. 4 1/2" angle grinder with a 60 grit flapper wheel to take down the impeller to the shaft in 2 places, 180° apart from each other. After that, it's all downhill from there.

Most trash pumps secure the impeller by one of two means. If there is a bolt holding the impeller on, then it's straightforward...remove the bolt, slide the impeller off the keyed engine crankshaft. If there isn't a bolt, the impeller probably threads on the crankshaft. It's setup to self-tighten as it runs.

Remove spark plug, turn engine by hand until piston is at bottom of cyl. bore, feed soft nylon rope through plug hole, rotate engine by hand slowly until piston comes up and compresses rope, thereby preventing engine from rotating further, place a block of wood against impeller, strike with a hammer in direction of normal engine rotation.

Caution....most impellers are cast. They can fracture.

Sounds a lot easier than my method, and a lot less destructive!

sprkplug, I'm looking for you a new storefront in Emory TX as we speak. I sure could have used you yesterday, my 3" Honda pump is being a pain.

Thank you Sprkplug!

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Nice!! I like the way the whole process is turning out. Good documentation with the pictures.

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A larger bag will dewater faster, but will be even worse to move around once it's full.

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