The Best Water Transfer Pumps for The Farm

What are different types of pumps and their working applications?

There are many different types of pumps available to buy on the market. Today we’d like to help you to understand some of the most commonly used water transfer pumps for the farm in Australia and their working applications.

What are four different types of water pumps?

Water pumps play a crucial role in agriculture, irrigation, and household applications by moving water efficiently from one location to another. On farms, water pumps are essential for transferring water, irrigating crops, delivering water to livestock, and handling chemicals. The four most commonly used types of water pumps in farming operations are water transfer pumps, irrigation pumps, chemical pumps and house pumps.

1. Water Transfer Pump

A water transfer pump is designed to move large volumes of water from one place to another quickly. These pumps are widely used on farms for filling water tanks, draining flooded areas, and transferring water from dams, rivers, or boreholes to storage tanks or troughs. Common Uses: Moving water between storage tanks Draining flooded areas Filling irrigation reservoirs Emergency water removal

Types of Water Transfer Pumps:

• Centrifugal Pumps – Use a spinning impeller to move water efficiently.
• Diaphragm Pumps – Suitable for transferring water containing debris or solids.
• High Pressure Pumps – Ideal for applications requiring strong water flow over long distances.

Pros: ✔ Efficient in moving large volumes of water Available in electric, petrol, and diesel models Easy to use and maintain

Cons: ✖ Not ideal for deep wells or suction-limited applications. May require priming before use

2. Irrigation Pump

An irrigation pump is specifically designed to supply water to crops through various irrigation systems such as sprinklers, drip irrigation, and surface irrigation. These pumps are crucial for ensuring crops receive adequate water, especially in dry regions.

Common Uses:

• Powering sprinkler systems
• Delivering water to drip irrigation networks
• Drawing water from rivers, dams, or underground sources for irrigation

Types of Irrigation Pumps:

• Centrifugal Pumps – Best for moderate flow and pressure applications.
• Submersible Pumps – Installed underwater, suitable for deep boreholes and wells.
• Booster Pumps – Increase water pressure in irrigation systems.

Pros:

✔ Provides consistent water supply to crops

✔ Can be automated for efficiency

✔ Suitable for various irrigation techniques

Cons:

✖ Requires proper selection based on irrigation system.

3. Chemical Pump

A chemical pump is designed to handle and transfer chemicals, fertilizers, and other liquid solutions safely. These pumps are commonly used in farming for spraying pesticides, applying liquid fertilizers, and managing water treatment processes.

Common Uses:

• Spraying pesticides and herbicides on crops
• Transferring liquid fertilizers to irrigation systems
• Treating farm water supplies with disinfectants or nutrients

Types of Chemical Pumps:

Peristaltic Pumps – Use a flexible tube to transfer precise chemical amounts.

Centrifugal Chemical Pumps – Handle large volumes of liquid chemicals safely.

Pros:

✔ Resistant to corrosion from chemicals and fertilizers ✔ Provides accurate and controlled liquid application ✔ Reduces manual handling of hazardous substances

Cons:

✖ More expensive than standard water pumps

✖ Requires regular maintenance to prevent blockages and wear and corrrect system setup

4. House Water Pump

Common Uses:

Supplying water to homes and farm buildings Boosting water pressure for household appliances Drawing water from tanks, wells, or boreholes Types of House Water Pumps:

Jet Pumps – Suitable for shallow and deep wells.

Submersible Pumps – Installed inside a borehole or water tank for efficient delivery.

Pressure Pumps – Automatically regulate water pressure in household plumbing.

Pros:

✔ Ensures consistent water pressure for daily use

✔ Can integrate with rainwater harvesting systems

✔ Energy-efficient models available

Cons:

✖ Requires installation and occasional servicing

✖ Power-dependent (unless using solar or manual alternatives)

Each type of pump serves a distinct purpose, and selecting the right one depends on your specific needs—whether for irrigation, water transfer, chemical handling, or household use. Ensuring you choose the correct pump type and size can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize water management on farms and rural properties.

How do water transfer pumps work?

Water transfer pumps move water from one place to another with high flow and low pressure. The inlet hose (often with a foot valve attached) is placed in the water source you wish to move the water from, and the outlet hose is placed where you wish the water to be moved to. Once the pump is turned on using power or fuel, dependant on the transfer pump type, your water is transferred.

What are water transfer pumps used for?

Water transfer pumps on the farm are used for many applications including: storm water, dewatering, wastewater and water collection from dams, creeks and rivers and stock watering.

What types of pumps are best for water transfer?

There are many pump types used for water transfer on the farm including: petrol pumps, centrifugal pumps, diesel pumps, and a wide variety of submersible pumps.

Which pump is best for water transfer?

There are many great pumps on the market with some brands in the market for many years which are household names and others which are lesser known but of great quality and pricing for the agricultural market. The 3 water transfer pumps mentioned below are our best selling transfer pumps as the meet the requirements of most farmers on a day to day basis, with all pumps recognised for their studiness and reliability with terrifice pricing including delivery throughout Australia.

• 2DK20 – A high flow centrifugal water transfer pump, ideal for around the farm for dam and stock water movement delivering up to 500 L/min with 17m head and 7m lift. Just $389 delivered to your door. (blue pump)
• NF-130B – For faster water transfer our NF-130B with 3” flange will deliver a maximum of 900 L/min with 13m head and 7m lift. Just $550 delivered throughout Australia. (middle pump)
• CPM200 – Centrifugal water transfer pump delivering a maximum of 150 L/min with 46m head and 7m lift. A bargain at $309 delivered. (pump on right)

Note: above prices are subject to change.

Which water transfer pump is used the most on a farm?

Centrifugal pumps are commonly used for water transfer around the farm and garden as they give continuous water supply with a high discharge flow rate at lower head which is ideal for water transfer around the farm. Farmers also commonly use petrol and diesel pumps for water transfer with most preferring the use of 240v rather than having to constantly feed a fuel pump to keep it running. Fuel pumps are ideal when their is no power where the pump needs to be located.