Curious if anyone has done something like this. Could be useful for brush fires deep in the woods, as well as flooded areas, diverting water, etc. This is on the smaller side for gas water pumps. You can get 2" pumps that do over 150 GPM, and 3" pumps that do close to 300 GPM. At 35 GPM, this would empty a 330 gallon IBC totes in about 9.5 minutes, and seems like a good size. Figure an average 5/8" garden hose is only putting out about a third of this pressure with best case scenarios if you have good pressure. 1 in. 79cc Gasoline Engine Clear Water Pump - 35 GPM Could mount the IBC tote in cage, and the water pump on a hd trailer. Has anyone done this or something similar?
We have the Honda version of that at work...it will move a lot of water for a little guy! IIRC leoht has some sort of mobile brush fire system?
You have pressure switched with volume. Take feet of head and divide by 2.31 to get the pressure in psi. so your garden hose has more pressure. That being said it still could be effective in fire suppression but if you're thinking that it will shoot over the moon you will be disappointed. Actually quite a few setups are made like you describe and it very well can save your azz. HD trailer is right as you're talking about a ton and a half of water.
You're right, pressure was the wrong term to use. Looking at some you tube videos, the stream of water is considerably;y greater in length and girth than any garden hose. An average garden hose is only going to put out 10-12 GPM, and will be 5/8" or 3/4" diameter. I have a trailer that was used for an asphalt roller that would work.
The little pumps, with draft hose and foot valves/floating strainers, can be used in small creeks or other bodies of water, given enough water depth/area, if that is an option. If you have to mount the system on a hd trailer, for brush fires deep in the woods as you state, I would be wary of maneuverability and more importantly egress. Nothing like getting in a tight space and things go south on you, and then you have to bug out fast. People always think about how to get in on the fire...they often don't think about the getting out from a fire (fast) soon enough....
Another option is to mount the setup to a box that the three point picks up. My 3 point will lift 3200 lbs 24" back.
What forest type are you working in? What is the fuel loading? Are there any natural firebreaks? Who owns the land? Who has jurisdiction over firefighting efforts there? What resources are you trying to protect? There are a ton of things to consider before running out in deep in the woods to fight a fire. First, I recommend becoming familiar with the 10 standard Fire Orders and 18 Watch out Situations. Firefighting Orders and Watch Out Situations (U.S. National Park Service) If you are concerned about fire on your property, there are things you can do to reduce the intensity and spread rate of a wild fire. Better to accomplish those things prior to a fire rolling through. You can cut fire breaks, trim ladder fuels, drop dead snags and even open the canopy in areas of softwoods that may be susceptible to running crown fires during high winds and extreme dry temperatures. Curious to hear more about the area as Screwloose asked..
Something like this might work.. Depending on your situation. Off Road Firefighting, Hazmat, ATV Rescue, MEDLITE, FIRELITE
sirbuildalot ....I read through your original post again. Sounds like maybe you are looking at the pump in general terms, with firefighting being a potential use if needed, but not really due to concerns about fire (like some hoarders on here have to take into consideration ie out west). Is this a coreect statment? The fire related posts by Screwloose, stuckinthemuck and myself boil down to staying safe, since many factors come into considration, and can change quickly, with wildland fire.
This is more for planned brush fires on my property than unexpected wildfires. I own 21 acres and between opening up processing areas, making trails, clearing old trials, taking down trees, deadfall from storms, etc I come up with quite a bit of brush to deal with. I don't own a chipper (although an option). Before anyone mentions Fire Department and brush permit, hold your breath. I won't be calling for an inspection of each pile of brush that is 1000' into the woods, and I'm not dragging all the brush to an approved by them area each time. My father had a bad garage fire, and the full time FD response was awful in every way imaginable. Took forever to get there, couldn't get water out of the truck, (August fire not winter), took forever to setup, shot all the water all over the gravel parking area which was unneeded, so we found nails and screws for years afterwards even running a magnet across multiple times, left their trash, cans, and bottles all over the place, etc.
In this case I think your plan is a good one as it's a lot better to be preemptive with wetting down the perimeter and keeping it under control. Big difference to it being a quick response always ready system for emergency use. In that case I think that a 3 point system would be pretty nice compared to a trailer.
I've also thought that a towable brush burner would be neat. Something like an old steel tank cut in half lengthwise, and mounted to an all steel frame and steel wheels.
Considered getting a water tank once after helping the local FD’s battle a forest fire behind my house. Lot of acreage out there and getting water out there was a major problem. Didn’t even think about a pump. Was just thinking of replenishing those little woods pumps they use.
